Ruth nodded as she frowned sympathetically. “I know how difficult this is, Mr. Lennox.” You have no idea how well I know.
Ruth kept expecting to feel less pained with each new veteran that came to Emeraldine Hospital but, instead, every time she did an intake like this one, she felt the agony of all that she went through with Harry as if it were happening for the first time. Emeraldine was now 30 percent over capacity with veterans unable to function in the world. Each time a new patient arrived, she wondered how her family would have felt if there hadn’t been a bed for Harry. So, she took them all. She made more space. And she experienced anew the heartbreaking loss of two decades before as if it had just happened. She was emotionally and physically exhausted. Still, she had a job to do. One that was more important than ever.
“We are very experienced with the various psychoses that this awful war has brought about. Estelle has done such a noble thing serving as a nurse for our soldiers. Let us help her heal now.”
“Do you really think you can help her?”
Ruth knew this desperation. This need for hope. She so badly wanted to embrace him tightly and tell him with certainty that she would make his daughter well. This was the true test—if she and Robert and Edward could weather this storm, treat these broken men and women, give them back their lives, then it wouldn’t be all for naught. Harry would have died for a reason—to pave the way for progress. For healing. For better lives for so many. But she didn’t say any of that. Instead she remained composed and professional.
“I do, Mr. Lennox,” she stated as evenly as she could. “I really do. We’ve developed something of an expertise in this area. I can assure you both that Miss Lennox will be in the best hands here at Emeraldine.” She smiled at the young woman.
“Oh, Estelle, please. I’m Estelle.”
Ruth thought the beautiful twenty-three-year-old could be mistaken for someone in magazines or pictures, were it not for her incoherent ramblings. She was a stunner, with a heart-shaped face, perfectly plump pink lips, and thick brown hair.
“All right then, Estelle, would you like to see your room?” Ruth stood and gently took her arm. “You’ll be rooming with several other military nurses. I think you’ll be in perfect company.” Estelle nodded tentatively as Ruth turned to her father. “Mr. Lennox, you can just head down the hall to Mrs. Cathers. She’ll get you all squared away with the paperwork while I get your daughter settled.
“I do want to draw your attention to one item in our admissions document.” She spoke quietly, so that Estelle wouldn’t hear her. “We use the most progressive treatments here at Emeraldine, including, in extreme cases, lobotomy. In fact, my husband, Dr. Robert Apter, is the man who pioneered the procedure. While I can’t tell you that Estelle will need an intervention of this magnitude, I do want to be sure you are aware that our paperwork permits us to perform any treatment we deem necessary to optimize her health and chances to be released. So, please make sure you are comfortable with that before you leave. I’m happy to discuss it with you further if you like, when I return.”
Mr. Lennox seemed stunned, his eyes widening momentarily as he swallowed awkwardly and then nodded. “Whatever you need to do to help her.” He looked away from Ruth for a moment as if he was ashamed and then turned back. “She sings, you know. Voice like an angel. Used to be a soloist in the church choir.”
“Wonderful! We have a band that performs at our monthly dances. Perhaps you can sing with them, Estelle?” Ruth smiled encouragingly and then turned back toward her office to give Mr. Lennox a final reassurance. “She’ll be very well taken care of. I give you my word.”
Chapter Eighteen
Ruth entered Charles Hayden’s office casually. The two of them had worked together for nearly twenty years, and she never gave a second thought when he requested a meeting with her. But today, as she sat across from him, she saw a wistful look on his face that unnerved her. He, too, had been working much too hard due to the influx of veterans. Perhaps that was what she saw in his eyes. The same fatigue they all felt.