Page 198 of The Encore’s Crown

Everything inside me drops.

“She’s receiving treatment now. We need you to come to the hospital as soon as possible.”

I throw the blankets aside and stand so quickly the room almost goes sideways.

“What happened?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t discuss the circumstances over the phone. The medical team will speak with you when you arrive. Please bring identification.”

Natalia is upright now, watching me.

“Can I talk to her?”

“She’s unable to speak right now.”

The floor seems to disappear beneath me.

“Mr. Drysdale, is someone with you?”

“Yes.”

“Please have them drive if possible.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

I end the call before she can say anything else.

Natalia climbs out of bed. “What happened?”

“It’s Ma. She’s at Harborview. Critical condition.”

The words barely come out. Her face changes instantly.

“Oh my God.”

I’m already dragging on my pants. My hands don’t work properly. The button slips twice before I force it through.

“What happened?”

“They wouldn’t tell me.”

Natalia grabs her clothes from the floor. “I’ll drive.”

“No, I need to.”

She pauses with her shirt halfway over her head.

“I need something to do,” I say. “I need to stay focused.”

Her face softens, but she doesn’t argue. I find my keys, then my wallet. My phone almost slips out of my hand as I unlock it.

“Call Rithy.”

I hold it out to her and she takes it quickly.

“Tell him Harborview. Tell him to come now.”

Natalia finishes pulling on her clothes while I shove my feet into shoes without bothering with socks. Neither of us speaks again until we’re in the car. The rest of the drive becomes fragments. Natalia telling Rithy to slow down over speaker phone. My turn signal clicking. Red lights that last too long. The pressure of my teeth grinding together until my jaw aches. Every possible version of what happened forces itself into my head.