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Siena like a ghost beside me. Hands clasped in her lap, head against the headrest, staring out the window.
Everything in fast forward, but feeling like I was moving in slow motion.
Siena remained mute and curled up in her seat on the flight home, cocooned in an oversized sweater and black leggings. I think she fell asleep for a while. She hadn’t stirred, not even when I covered her with a blanket. She had been a walking ghost following my orders, not fighting me, or suggesting another “better” way to handle things. She had become subservient, doing what I said when I said it. A few times, over the course of knowing her, I would have given my left nut to shut her up. But now, with her sitting stone cold and silent beside me, I didn’t like it, couldn’t stand it. I’d give just about anything right now for one of her verbal lashings. I’d relish her anger, welcome her yelling at me. Just to see some color in her cheeks, some feeling or emotion.ThisSiena scared me.
A short flight and a speedy drive got us to the hospital where Sophia was waiting. I broke every law known to man as I raced to get her to her grandfather.
Sal was sleeping. The meds were still working through his system. Sophia was sitting next to his bed, holding his hand, the monitors rhythmically beeping, displaying his vitals. She seemed frail seated in the large chair, her petite frame barely taking up any space. Such a contrast to the strong, independent woman her granddaughter so beautifully took after.
Siena broke down again when Sophia looked up. Sal’s coloring was drastically different compared to his natural olive complexion. The white sheet, draped with a blue blanket, was barely a contrast next to his still form.
“Oh, Pops,” Siena cried, leaning down to kiss Sal’s cheek. She straightened his dressing gown a little before taking his hand, placing a kiss on it, linking her free hand with her grandmother’s.
“He’s going to be fine,Cara.” Her hand moved in circles over her back. “The doctors have a very optimistic outlook and say he’ll be back to normal in no time.”
Siena sat in the empty chair, still holding her grandfather’s hand.
“He’s gotta make some changes and take things easy. But he’ll be just fine.”
“That’s good news,” I said. Siena looked up at me, her eyes empty and far away. I didn’t know what to do to comfort her. I wanted to reach out and hold her, but I didn’t want to intrude on this family moment. I also, selfishly, didn’t want to be turned away.
Sophia smiled, then reached out for my hand, making me feel less like an intruder and more like family. “Thank you for helping get her back home so fast, Michael. I don’t know what we would’ve done without your help.”
“Of course, Sophia. Anything for you guys.” She squeezed my hand before letting go.
Siena’s lips lifted, acknowledging her thanks, her eyes glimmering with tears. And even though it was a silent gesture, it relieved me to see her smile.
“I’m going to get us some coffee,” I said as Siena turned back to her grandfather.
The atmosphere of the hospital was getting to me. All this sterile white and heartless gray. Colorful pictures and artwork lined the walls, but it did little to shake the sense of dread I felt. Doctors and nurses were milling about, running here and there, walking purposefully with something to do.
I felt helpless as I headed to the cafeteria. After the intensity of last night, the image of Tim’s name on Siena’s phone, and the emotions of hearing about Sal, I needed caffeine, and I knew Siena did too.
“I think it’s pretty close to what you like,” I said, handing Siena her coffee. “Plenty of sugar and cream. Black for Sophia.” Sal was awake and looking better, the color having returned to his face. Maybe it had all been in my head, me thinking he looked pale and weak. Having Siena here seemed to perk him up, get him back to looking like his normal self.
“What about me?” he asked, clearly disappointed and jonesing for some caffeine.
“None for you, Pops,” Siena scolded, fluffing his pillow. She bent down, looking him squarely in the eyes. “Strict orders. And we’re gonna follow them to the letter. I’ll let you smell mine if you want.”
“That’s just cruel and unusual punishment. Do you see what they’re doing to me, Michael? They’re ganging up on me,” he said, looking to me for sympathy.
“I can see that.” I sent Siena a wink. “But it’s for your own good. We’re all here to help you, Sal.”
Thank you, Siena mouthed to me. I sent her a nod back.
“Okay, tell me what you know,” I addressed them. “What’s the next step?”
Sal settled back onto the pillows with a grunt, frustrated and annoyed. But I knew deep down that even though he was trying to be strong for Siena and Sophia, he was scared. This quick brush with death had been a wake-up call for all of them.
Sophia flipped the pages back on her notepad, tucked her dark hair behind her ear, and slipped on some reading glasses. “He had what’s called a coronary artery spasm. Thesilent heart attack. Scary little fucker.” She looked at Sal, a small smile of love. “Thank God I rushed him over here. He thought it was just some indigestion. But he was having muscle pain, so I shoved his ass in the car.”
Sal shrugged. “How was I to know?”
Sophia looked at us. “They went over his medical history, did a physical exam and an EKG, blood tests, and meds. They asked a lot of questions. Luckily, there was no permanent damage. But he’s at risk for another heart attack, so he has to be extra careful.”
“When does he get to come home?” Siena asked.
“He’ll stay here in the ICU for now so they can monitor his heart, keep an eye on him after the”—Sophia looked back down at her pad of paper—“electrocardiograms and any other tests they need to do.”
