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“Thank you,” I said. “I’m coming up right now.”
“Don’t come into his room,” she said, her voice raised. “I don’t want anything to upset him.”
“I won’t,” I said, trying to keep my calm doctor voice, but it was hard. I wanted to shout at her. “I promise.”
I rounded the corner to the Children’s ward, past the brightly decorated wall and play area to the small waiting room across from the nursing station. I went up to the counter and said hello to the nurses there. Just then, Maureen came down the hall from one of the isolation rooms. She arrived at the station and stood beside me, and by the expression on her face, I could tell she wasn’t at all happy.
She turned to the nurses, who sat staring up at us. “Dr. Morgan has my permission to look at Liam’s files and speak with any of you regarding his care. He is not allowed to visit Liam unless I say so.”
The nurses glanced at me, expressions of surprise on their faces.
The charge nurse handed me Liam’s file. “Thank you,” I said. “I’ll sit in the waiting room and read.”
“You can go into the conference room if you want,” Cathy, one of the peds nurses said. “It’s more comfortable and there’s a desk in case you want to make notes or anything.”
“Okay. I want to make copies of some of the reports and then I’ll be out of your hair.”
“Be my guest.”
I turned to Maureen. “Shall we talk?” I motioned to the conference room.
“I was busy reading to Liam,” she said. “’The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’. Maybe later.”
I nodded. “Call me later and we can talk, either in my office or on the phone.”
She turned and went back down the hallway to Liam’s room without another word, but by how stiff her back was, I could tell she was holding it in.
“Do you mind?” I said and pointed to the photocopier in the alcove off the nursing station. “I’ll make a copy for my own files and then I’ll be gone.”
“Sure, Dr. Morgan,” Cathy said. “If you need anything, let me know.” She smiled warmly at me and I was sure I had her on my side, if things got sticky with Maureen.
“Can you page me if anything happens with Liam? Any time.”
She nodded and I went to the photocopier and made my copies. Then, without seeing Liam, I went back to my own office and sat down to read the files.
According to his notes, Liam’s oncologist wasn’t too concerned about the liver enzymes and admitted him as a precautionary measure, to monitor his meds and to facilitate tests that would take place over the next day or two. So I relaxed a bit, my sense of alarm decreasing just a bit. I lost track of time, reading the files and speaking with his oncologist, and didn’t realize it was well past eight. I usually was home at seven thirty for dinner with Kate. I pulled out my cell and there was no message from her so I called.
She answered on the second ring so I knew she was waiting for me.
“Hi, love,” I said, smiling when I heard her voice. “I’m sorry I’ll be late getting home, but I’m at the hospital still. Maureen brought Liam back in for some tests and he’s been admitted to the children’s ward. I’ve been reading over his files and talking to his doctors and lost track of time.”
“Stay as long as you need,” she said, her voice soft. “I’m fine here on my own. I’ll put your dinner in the oven to stay warm.”
“What’s on the menu?”
“Just roast chicken and the usual suspects. Potatoes. Vegetables.”
“Sounds delicious. I won’t be too long,” I said. “Maybe another hour. Thanks for understanding.”
“Drake, of course I understand. He’s your son. I’m surprised Maureen is letting you see him.”
“She’s not. At least, not yet. I hope to wear her down with my charm and debonair demeanor.”
She laughed at that. “Worked on me.”
“See you later. I love you.”
“I love you, Drake.”
