“Sure,” I say.
She sticks her hand in her suit jacketpocket, and then hands me her business card. “My cell number is onthe back. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate tocall me.”
“Okay,” I whisper. “Thank you. I appreciateyou taking the time to talk to me.”
“Any time. Ethan’s one of ours.”
I nod and watch her walk over to a man whomakes her look like a cupcake. I’ve never seen as hard or square ajaw on a human being in my life.
Laura leans in and says, “She’s one toughbroad.” Laura has super mom hearing and has always been nosy. Sheused to tell me all sorts of things she learned through hereavesdropping. I’m sure she heard every word of Nadine’s and myconversation. “And he,” she lifts her chin in the direction ofCaptain Washington, “seems like he could stop a bullet by lookingat it.” She does a fake shiver. “Scary.”
My sister. I can’t help but chuckle.
Captain Washington heads my way and even hisgait saysDon’t fuck with me. With his hand he indicates thevacant chair. “May I?”
Dahuhuh…damn. His voice is pure sex.
Laura squeezes my knee and I turn my head andscowl at her, before looking up at him and say, “Please.”
He sits and leans toward me. “I’m sorry Ethanwas shot, but I’m assured he’ll be fine. The worst part is thewaiting. I’ve been in too many waiting rooms over the years, and Iknow this part sucks. Once he’s up and talking to you, the tension,nausea, and apprehension will go away. He’ll recover, and whilehe’s doing it, he’ll be a pain in your ass.”
I smile at him and say, “Something to lookforward to.”
He smiles back, and it’s amazing. All thehard goes out of his face and I’m staring at white teeth and eyesfull of mischief. With that voice and smile, he must get a lot ofaction.
As if he read my mind he says, “Years ago, Ifell down the basement stairs a few days after my wife and I movedinto our home. Broke my collarbone. She yelled at me the minute thedoctor let her into my room. That’s how I knew I was going to beall right.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
He tilts his head and says, “They’re notgoing to leave. He stood by one of ours and kept him safe.”
“Sounds like Ethan.”
“Yeah.” He stands. “The officer, CarlosLopez, wants a word. That okay with you?”
“Of course.”
“I’ve gotta go, but I’ll be back tomorrow togive your man shit.”
He’s a charmer. “I think you and Ethan aregoing to be friends.”
“Count on it.” He turns and walks out of thewaiting room.
I look around and see a female officersitting across and down from me who seems to be guarding me.“Bathroom,” I mouth.
She gets up and waves me to follow. Ofcourse, Laura joins us.
***
Captain Washington is right. The waitingsucks. Carlos Lopez hung out with us for a while talking aboutnothing in particular, but clearly feeling the need to keep close.Over time, a few officers left, but most stayed.
Different officers got food and distributedsandwiches or bags of chips, sodas, coffee, and bottles of water.Their comings and goings were the rhythm of the day.
At eight at night, some nine and a half hoursafter Ethan went into surgery, two doctors come out and one callsout, “Dr. Calapiano?”
After keeping vigil for so long, I didn’twant to exclude the officers who had done their best to keep me,Laura, and Baz fed – I hardly ate – and hydrated.
I stood and walked to the doctors, butstopped at the edge of the waiting room, indicating that they couldtalk to me in front of everyone. Laura and Baz stood on either sideof me.
