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“Yeah, no. He shagged, and then married your old girlfriend behind your back. Things will never be fine.”
“Drop it, Bronwyn. Please. Continually nagging me about it doesn’t help. I just want to check on Remi”
“And Teagan,” she pointed out.
The elevator bell dinged and then one of them opened. I ushered her inside and ignored the obvious dig. I didn’t like how things were playing out and I didn’t trust her to keep her remarks civil.
Pediatric ICU was on the tenth floor and Teagan’s text had consisted of nothing but the number: 1024. The minute the elevator doors opened I scanned the walls for the sign that would direct me to Remi’s room. The elevators were in the middle of the floor and there were hallways of rooms off both sides of the hall.
We walked past the nurses’ station and there were others here or there along the corridor with portable carts and laptops, entering patient information on electronic charts. A couple of them glanced up and smiled as we passed. Around another corner, we found Teagan and Jensen standing halfway down the hall. They were both wearing shapeless yellow gowns made of paper and had surgical masks hanging just below their chins. They were talking quietly as we approached. Teagan’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of Bronwyn with me, but then looked quickly away, resuming her conversation with Jensen.
“How’s she doing?” I asked.
“They’re taking her vitals, but she’s sleeping,” Teagan murmured softly and tried to smile at Bronwyn. “Hello, I’m Teagan and this is my husband, Jensen.”
“Nice to meet you,” Bronwyn reached forward to shake Teagan’s hand, but Teagan lifted hers up covered in a blue glove and shook her head.
“I’m sorry. They make us wear all this stuff and every time we touch anything, we have to change them out,” she offered in explanation.
“I hate these goddamned things,” Jensen added, shaking his head.
“I’m very sorry about your little girl,” Bronwyn offered. She sounded genuine and I was silently grateful.
“Thank you,” Teagan and Jensen answered at the same time.
I couldn’t help the wave of resentment and jealousy that washed over me, second only to the fear and sorrow that resulted from the situation. I ran a hand through my hair then leaned up against the wall outside the room next to Teagan. “Will we be able to see her at all?”
“You might be able to go in after the nurses come out, but you’ll have to wear all of this garb,” Jensen answered. “They want her to rest and the staff will be in there a lot, so it might be better if we come back tomorrow.”
Bronwyn started pacing on a short path in front of us.
“She hasn’t woken up,” Teagan said softly, sadness lacing her voice. “You’d think I’d be made of iron by now. We’ve gone through so much; I should be stronger, but I’m still a mess.” She used the sleeve of her gown to brush a tear from her face.
“That’s why we should go home. You need sleep, Teagan,” Jensen offered. “You’re exhausted.”
“I can stay.” My response was prompt. “I’ll call you if anything comes up.”
“Does anyone want coffee?” Bronwyn asked. “Is there a waiting room somewhere?”
Teagan nodded. “There’s a small family waiting room about halfway down around that corner. None for me, thanks.”
“You go ahead. I want to wait here,” I added.
“I don’t want to go alone.” Bronwyn shook her head. “How long will they be?”
“A few minutes,” Jensen said as he began to pull off his gloves and gown and then shoved them in a bin set aside outside Remi’s room specifically for their disposal. “I’ll show you where the coffee is. Are you sure you don’t want to go home for a few hours?” The question was directed at Teagan. “There isn’t anything you can do here.”
“I can be here.” It was a quiet statement that held a ton of meaning. She wasn’t leaving Remi’s side.
I wondered if it was possible to rent a room in the hospital so that she might at least sleep a little. I knew she’d want to stay in the same room with Remi, but who could sleep wearing one of those masks? They were suffocating.
“Okay,” Jensen said. “This way, Bronwyn.”
He motioned for Bronwyn to precede him and she turned in the direction he indicated, but stopped and wrapped a hand around my bicep. “I’ll be back soon, Lovie.”
Teagan was concentrating on her feet, even after Jensen and Bronwyn disappeared around the corner.
“Sorry, this is so awkward,” I said, not knowing if I should mention the elephant in the room.
