AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ethan?”
“Hi. Tom sent me to pick you up. He’s at the hospital.”
He stood over her, his tall frame filling the leather jacket and jeans he wore, his black boots scuffed. His hair was stuffed under another ball cap, and he wore sunglasses. No wonder she hadn’t noticed him. And it just seemed incongruous for him to be here now. But the whole experience since the phone call had been out of the norm, so she shouldn’t be surprised.
He leaned over and gave her an awkward kiss on the cheek, the brim of his hat catching her ear. Her hair was pulled back in its usual chignon, but much of it had come adrift in the journey, a large amount from her own absentminded toying.
“Hi,” she said, gazing at him, off balance. She could hear her heart starting to race. The dark glasses prevented her from seeing his eyes. “How’s my father doing?”
He gave her a reassuring smile as they headed through the now relatively quiet station to the parking lot. “Much better. At least that’s what Tom says. I haven’t been to the hospital since yesterday. I saw Tom briefly this morning at your dad’s place and that’s what he said.” He glanced over at her. “I wanted to check on Max, because I wasn’t sure Tom would make it over there. He was there after I’d taken Max for a walk.”
She nodded, trying to take in everything he’d said. Some of it registered with her, but she knew she’d probably be asking the same questions later. They reached the truck. She was surprised to see that it was her father’s own truck, and Ethan, as if sensing her question, gave her an apologetic look.
“Tom told me to take your dad’s truck. I only have my motorcycle.”
She nodded as she opened the passenger door and slid inside. It made sense. It just felt strange to be in the truck with Ethan driving, his presence filling it. She buckled her belt, leaned back and sighed, suddenly tearful. With another deep breath, she forced the tears away. There was no time for that, really. Strength was what was needed now.
She watched as he exited the parking lot onto the road, noting his confident yet careful manner. At least she didn’t have to worry about a motorcycle racing mentality behind the road.
Once they were under way, she turned to Ethan. “How did it happen?” she asked.
“You mean his collapse?”
She nodded.
“I’m not sure. When I stopped by, he was there on the living room floor.”
“He hadn’t stumbled and fallen?”
Ethan shook his head. No. He was in the middle of the floor. I rushed over to him and tried to rouse him. Then I called 911. And after that Tom. I stayed there until the paramedics came and went with them to the hospital.”
Tom had told her something similar, but still, she wanted to hear it again from Ethan. She didn’t know if it made it seem more real, but she just felt she had to ask the same questions.
“And you don’t know anything more? What tests he had? Why it happened?”
He gave her a patient look and shook his head. “Sorry, I don’t. But we can head straight to the hospital if you like.”
“Yes, thanks. I’d prefer that.” She thought a moment. “Unless you need to get back. You can drive to the house, and I’ll drive from there.”
“No, no,” said Ethan. “It’s fine. I’d planned on going there anyway.”
She nodded and sank into thought. She’d tried to think of several different reasons that could have caused her father to collapse. But he’d been so healthy, a fact that she could confirm from her visit that had been so recent it didn’t seem possible that he could be ill now. She’d said as much to Giancarlo when he’d asked her after she’d explained the situation. He’d been immediately sympathetic and insisted he would book her on the next plane to New York. He’d told her she must do what she needed to do for her family and to let him know what the situation was. His reassurances had helped as she flung clothes into her suitcase and loaded her laptop into the Fendi handbag once again. Without any extra thought she’d worn the same suit as before, though she knew Giancarlo would no doubt disapprove, thinking it should have been cleaned first, but she’d decided that it was better to wear something that was already wrinkled rather than get another suit in the same condition.
At least she’d remembered to slip on her engagement ring before returning to the apartment, so that when she dashed around it was on her finger ready for his scrutiny. She’d noticed he checked for it when he saw her, as if he couldn’t quite believe that they were engaged. Or perhaps that was her own sentiment projected on him. She certainly couldn’t believe it. And now, with everything that had happened, it seemed surreal, like an otherworldly image ready for some phrase of poetry in a language she couldn’t understand. It might have been that which had prompted her to remove the ring once she’d boarded the flight, though she told herself it would be safer for a ring so valuable. It was definitely out of place here, now, in this truck, on the way to the hospital.
* * *
Kate followed Tom down the corridor, Ethan trailing behind her, the endless green linoleum floor and beige walls of the different corridors running into each other. Muted footsteps and muffled voices reached her from various turns and corridor offshoots. She tried to read the signs so she could remember the way. She’d texted Tom when they were pulling into the hospital parking lot, and he’d messaged back to say that he’d meet them down in the lobby. After a brief hug, he’d led them up there, saying they would talk in a moment. She could see why now. It wasn’t easy to reach. He led her through some double doors, and they walked by a nurses’ station. Tom nodded to one of the people standing at the desk.
“Tom,” she said, pulling on his arm to slow him down. “What’s going on? Tell me what you know.”
He gave her an impatient look. “I will. I’m just taking you to the visitor’s room.
She released his arm and let him lead again, glancing back at Ethan for a moment. He gave her a cryptic look and looked to his left, over at the nurses’ station. It was then that she saw the large sign on the wall behind them.
Oncology Department.
Her mind froze. Was this a mistake? Maybe they didn’t have a bed available for him on a regular floor. Surely that was it. With growing anxiety, she followed her brother into a small carpeted room off the corridor. Pictures in soothing colors hung on the walls and two cozy sofas and a couple of armchairs were arranged around the room. One corner held a small child’s play center and a box of soft toys. Magazines and books were piled on a side table, but the coffee between the two sofas held one thing only. A box of tissues.
