“You’re right,” I say. Visiting hours ended hours ago. “Let me go tell her.” I undo my hand from his and step back into the room. Thea is laughing a little at something Raquel has said and I’m glad to see her in brighter spirits.
“I don’t mean to break up the party,” I begin, “but they’re kicking us out soon.”
Raquel glances at the watch on her wrist. “Oh, my,” she says, noting the time.
I look at Thea. “I’m going to go to Charlie’s and get a couple hours of sleep and then I’ll be back to get you, okay?”
She nods.
“I love you,” I add.
“I love you, too,” she says, slumber lacing her voice.
Raquel stands and walks across the room to my side. “You scared me, Thea,” she says, a smile slowly spreading across her face.
Thea doesn’t respond, having already drifted back off to sleep.
Raquel and I quietly exit the room, joining Charlie in the hallway. I glance around and see a blonde-headed nurse at the desk and walk towards her.
“Hi,” I say, getting her attention. She looks up at me with a doe-eyed expression.
“Hello,” she says cheerfully. I wish I had her energy.
“I’m Thea Calloway’s aunt and I wanted to leave my phone number just in case.”
“Oh my God,” she breathes as she looks at me. She shakes her head. “You’re Beth of Beth Ann’s Diner, right?”
I smile and nod. “Yes.”
“Your cinnamon roll snickerdoodles got me through my breakup earlier this year.” She hands me a sticky note and a pen. “They were out of this world.”
“Thank you.” I scribble my phone number on the piece of paper and hand it back to her.
She looks at Charlie now. “Hi, Sheriff Gajewski,” she says.
Charlie puts his hands in his pockets. “Hi, Hannah.”
Hannah directs us on how to exit the emergency room and we head out. Charlie puts his arm around my shoulders as we walk.
“Didn’t realize I was with a local celebrity tonight,” he says.
I playfully slap his side. “Oh, stop it.”
Raquel laughs from behind us and for a moment, I’d forgotten she was there.
Charlie and I break apart as we stand in the glow of the emergency room entrance.
“Raquel, do you need a ride home?” he asks. He always thinks of everything and everyone.
“Actually, if you could drive me back to Ramona’s to get my car,” she says, “that would be great.”
He nods. “Wait here and I’ll get the car.”
Charlie takes off across the parking lot. We watch as he gets in it and starts the engine, then whips around to the entrance to pick us up.
I climb into the front passenger seat while Raquel clambers around in the back. It’s a wordless drive as we take off in the direction of the bar. I pull out my phone and send a group text to my staff that due to a family emergency, the diner will not be open today. Thea is more important than the diner and besides, a portion of the staff was involved in the emergency.
My eyes keep fluttering closed as Charlie drives. I lean my head against the window, just wanting to sleep. I’m exhausted from the night’s events, both physically and emotionally. It’s been a whirlwind.
