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My reaction, internally, is “OMG, Hendrik is hurt! He is at the ER! He's requested my presence! I have to go!”
I never for a nanosecond considered not going with Jared and Luz. I just put some tennis shoes on, grabbed my carry tote and the house keys, and replied, “Lead the way.”
Trey is introduced to me as another of Hendrik’s associates. Trey’s at the wheel and is driving quite quickly but expertly to the hospital from my apartment building.
You don't know these people, but use your words! You don't usually have much trouble in that regard.
“Trey is quite a good driver!” and get stuck for anything further to say.
No worries, because Jared jumps in and explains that Trey was trained and certified by several master stunt drivers. Jared comments with a small smile of pride, “We are in good hands with Trey behind the wheel.”
Jared, and his wife whose name by now I've forgotten, and I rush together into the ER. It is Jared who spots Hendrik in a corner, his head in his hands. I raced over to Hendrik and didn't even notice when his two associates left. It would be quite a few hours before I thought of them again.
I'm under the impression that Hendrik is waiting for a doctor and ask anxiously in the sort of stage whisper that hospitals seem to encourage, “What happened!? What's the matter? What’s wrong with you? Speak to me! Hendrik?”
Chapter 31
Hendrik
Iscoopherintomy lap and tell her, “It’s not me. I’m fine. I’m fine. It’s my father. He’s had a heart attack.”
Beatrice takes my face in her hands. “Oh, no! I’m so sorry. How long ago? What do you know?”
“I’m not sure how serious it is yet or what condition he’s actually in. It was an ambulance that brought him here. I also don't know who called it. I don't know if father called it or a neighbor ... I just don't know!” I moaned. “I only got a call from the hospital once father was in an exam room. I'm waiting for a doctor to come and talk to me.”
“So the doctors and nurses know that you are here, right?” I nodded. I had pulled her onto my lap, and now she kissed my cheek, and again took my face in her hands and looked into my eyes. “I can't imagine what you're going through. I can't imagine how I would feel if it were my mom. I'm here for you now. I'll wait with you.”
It was over an hour before the doctor came out to get me. He took me to see my father, who was still in an ER exam room. The doctor explained that their bed capacity upstairs was tight. He said that even though my father's heart attack appeared to be quite mild, they still wanted to keep him overnight for observation, and also monitor his vital signs for a while. In short, they were waiting for a room to take him to.
I took Beatrice by the hand and followed the doctor. She whispered to me when we'd gone halfway down a corridor together, “Are you sure you want me to be there? Don't you want to be alone with your father?” I could just shake my head and squeeze her hand, and so she followed me.
Father was asleep by the time I reached him. I kissed him on the forehead. Then I looked at him for the longest time, feeling very helpless.
Then I went out to find his charge nurse. She gave me a little more information than the doctor had, but not too much.
This was one of the longest nights I can remember. Beatrice never left my side.
Chapter 32
Beatrice
Duringthelateeveningand through most of the night at the hospital with Hendrik, I all but forgot about my confusion and anger at Hendrik for not telling me his real name and his real background. When it did pop into my mind once, I stuffed it back down into a corner.
Now is simply not the time. Even you know that! Let it be.
The very fact that he called on you tonight shows that he really cares about you. You are important to him.
And that should mean something.
At about 2:00 in the morning, I realized that it had been because of my misgivings, my suspicions and my anger that I had not seen Hendrik for several days. I asked myself if he wondered why I had been out of touch.
Well, he certainly doesn't know that you've been angry at him!
Now is not the time to think about this. Let it go.
I'm all about comforting Hendrik, because I know full well that his father is the only family member he has. But more than once, my mind wandered about what kind of emotional support I would need if my mother were in this situation. She is my only parent and this is one of the many ways Hendrik and I had felt connected.
I shuddered.
