“I don’t know what all of this means for me.The only thing it changes in my life is that I now betterunderstand things I didn’t understand before and have answers forthings I never expected answers for, but I have to prepare myselfto see her again,” Maggie said.
“When you’re ready, I’ll take you toher.”
Maggie nodded and turned to stare at thecurtain once more. She had to see the woman who had given birth toher again, but when would she ever be ready for that?
CHAPTER 25
Aiden had rented adjoining rooms for them,paying with cash and a fake ID. Soon after Maggie revealed parts ofher childhood to him, she retreated to her room. She hadn’tbothered to lock the door between them. This wasn’t a home, hecould come and go freely, but he wouldn’t walk in on her withoutknocking first.
After taking a shower, and a little bit oftime to get her tumult of emotions under control, Maggie pulled hernew phone out of her duffel bag. She called the hospital and waitedwhile they transferred her to Roger’s room.
“Roger,” she breathed when she heard hisbrusque hello.
“Maggie May, it’s so good to hear from you!How are you?”
“I’m okay. How areyou?”
“Too much blood loss and a concussion haveleft me not quite as bright right now, but I’m still sexy as ever,and that’s all that counts, right?”
“I’m sure you’re still sexy, but you werenever very bright,” Maggie teased.
Roger released one of his guffawing laughs.Her heart warmed, and her tensed muscles eased. He had to be okayif he could still laugh like that.
“I don’t remember anything that happened,”Roger said. “It must have been a pretty bad wreck.”
“Yeah, I think so. I don’t remember mucheither.” Maggie despised lying to him, but she couldn’t tell himthe truth.
“They said the ambulance was pretty bangedup. Whereareyou? Where did you go?”
She rose when a knock sounded on the doorbetween their rooms. Walking over, she opened it to find Aidenstanding on the other side. He frowned at the phone but didn’tcomment as he leaned against the doorframe to watch her.
“I, uh… I’m home. I must have wanderedaway,” she said to Roger. “I barely remember getting to myapartment.”
“Did you get yourself checked out?” Rogerdemanded.
“Yes, I'm all right.”
“Are you going in to work tonight?”
“No. Doctor’s orders are to rest for a bit.How long is the hospital keeping you?”
“I think another night.”
She didn’t ask him if anyone had told himabout Glenn and Walt. They were probably waiting until he was outof the hospital or at least well enough to handle it. If he didn’tmention their deaths, then she wouldn’t either.
“I’m going to come see you,” she said.
“No,” Roger said. “I’d prefer you didn’t.Not in this place. I’ll see you at work.”
“It might be a few days before we both getback to work.” She had no idea if she would ever make it back.Maggie sat on the edge of the bed and propped her elbows on herknees. “I’d like to see you before then.”
“Nothing’s going to keep me down, MaggieMay. You can come see me at home if we’re not back to work soon,but not here, okay?”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“You sure you're all right?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him.
