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"I don't want to wake him," the nurse whispered."Can I borrow you for a moment?"
I nodded and slipped my hand out from Uncle Ray's.I stood and kissed him on the cheek before joining the nurse in the hall.
"It's nice to meet you, Mrs.Titan.My name is Patricia.I've been looking after your uncle."
"Call me Lexi."The nurse, Patricia, appeared to be in her late forties or early fifties.She was kindly looking, like she should be wearing an apron over her round middle and baking cookies instead of caring for patients.I liked her immediately.
"Lexi."Her smile was warm."Have you spoken with the doctor yet?"
I shook my head.
"They're very busy, so you may not see Dr.Wallace for a while.But I can answer any questions you might have.Ray is stable now, but we'll need to monitor him closely until surgery."
"When will that be?"I twisted my hands together.
"Hopefully tomorrow."
"That soon?"
"He has a pretty severe blockage," Patricia said."The longer we wait, the higher the risk will be."
I swallowed hard."The risk for surgery?"
"No, the surgery itself is not without risks, but generally it's fairly routine.The real risk is that Ray will have another heart attack before we can operate.His heart has been weakened.I'm sure you can see the change in him."I nodded and she continued, "If he were to suffer another heart attack, his heart may not be able to withstand it."
"You mean?"
"Let's not think about that right now," she said and patted my hand."Why don't you go sit with him for a bit?I'll be in to check his vitals soon and we can talk more when he's awake."
It was all so much to absorb.Like a robot, I returned to Uncle Ray's side and picked up his hand.
"You're going to be fine," I said, my voice barely more than a whisper.Tears blurred my vision and burned my eyes, but I didn't bother to wipe them away."You can't leave me, Uncle Ray.You can't."
Leo
I used the staff showers to clean myself up and changed into the spare set of clothes I kept in my office.I didn't have a razor, but I felt better at least.The water helped revive me and clear my head a little bit.When I entered the lobby again, I didn't feel quite so out of control anymore.
Pulling out my Blackberry, I tried to call Lexi again but it went straight to voicemail.I didn't bother leaving another message.I wanted her—no, needed her—to call me back.
"Leo!"
I turned to see Nicole waving from across the lobby.She looked beautiful.Just like a woman should the day after her wedding.I tried my best to put a smile on my face and crossed the floor to her.
"Mrs.Stewart," I said and accepted her hug."How are you this morning?"
She giggled."It's going to take awhile to get used to being called that."
"Where is your new husband?"I asked.
"He's checking out," she said."I'm glad I saw you, Leo.I wanted to thank you for everything yesterday.It was a beautiful day and having my mom there, even through the computer, it was special.Thank you."
"Well, you are definitely welcome, but it was Lexi," I tried not to let my voice change when I said her name, "who had the idea for your mom."Nicole's smile turned down at the corners.She'd noticed my reaction.Hoping to avoid the subject, I asked, "Why are you checking out?I thought you were booked in for one more day."
Nicole shifted her purse on her shoulder and touched my arm."You didn't hear?"
I stood tall and pretended I didn't notice her pity."If you're referring to Lexi checking out, then yes.I heard."
Nicole tilted her head and narrowed her eyes."You do know why they left, don't you?"
