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After the call from Madison, Ava and I sprang into action and hopped on the train pulling into the station, thinking a higher power was on our side and we’d get to Whitehall Hospital in no time. Now, we were stuck somewhere between stations due to debris on the tracks according to the crackly announcement from the MTA operator.
“Why today?” Ava is saying, her forehead in her hands as she paces the small standing area near the doors.
“Ava, relax. We’ll get to him. Asher’s tough. I know he’ll be fine,” I say, rubbing the small of her back as she slows her pacing.
Ava doesn’t respond, but she wraps her arms around me as we wait for the train to resume.
After what feels like eternity, we finally make our way to the stop for the hospital. Using the maps app, I realize the hospital is a few blocks from where Asher’s office is located. He nearly made it back to work before being attacked.
“I see Madison,” Ava says as we approach the entrance of the hospital.
Madison doesn’t look like her normal fashionable self. It’s disconcerting to see her tear-stained face. Maybe the attack on Asher is much worse than I thought.
“Oh, thank God you’re both here,” she says to us.
“Why are you out here?” Ava asks.
“You know how I feel about hospitals ever since my mom was going through chemo,” Madison answers. “I just needed a break. Asher will be happy to see you two.”
“We’ll go up,” I say to Madison. “He’s going to be okay.”
She only nods at my words, not able to answer, and begins wiping at eyes. “I’ll be up in a few minutes,” she says to us.
When we reach Asher’s floor, I overhear Ava introducing us as Asher’s sister and brother-in-law, and soon we are led down to the last room on the floor.
Ava hesitates at the doorway, and I put my hands at the small of her back, encouraging her forward. Asher is awake and peers at us curiously, one eye bluish and purple and nearly shut. I remove my hand from Ava’s lower back once we cross the threshold of the room.
“Oh my God, Ash,” Ava moves to his side.
Asher’s right arm is in a cast and his left leg is suspended in a cast as well. Cuts and bruising all along his forearms show he put up a fight, but whoever attacked him was much stronger.
Maybe a disgruntled former employee and ex-boyfriend to his sister who’s filled with rage, perhaps?
“I’ll be okay, Avie. Thankfully, I look much worse than I feel,” he says.
“Who could have done this?” I ask. I’ve never seen my friend in such anguish.
Asher shrugs a shoulder. “Who knows? It seems like my family has targets on our backs. Whoever did this clearly didn’t care about money. I have about two hundred in cash. Never once went for the wallet.”
I also notice his Rolex is still secured on his wrist. A watch averaging twenty thousand dollars and not one scratch on it. I’d agree with Asher that whoever attacked him didn’t want to mug him.
Reid Buford’s family basically owned all of western media.What’s some petty cash and a designer watch to someone like him?
“Did you get a glimpse at the person who attacked you?” I ask.
Asher clears his throat, and Ava rushes for the glass of water on a tray next to his bed. Asher takes a few sips before answering. “I got hit from behind and then the guy started hitting me with a pistol. Kicking my shin and punching me in the face. Next thing I know, I woke up in an ambulance.”
Whoever did this was bold. Middle of the afternoon with plenty of people milling around and yet that didn’t stop them.
“I guess I know better than to take that shortcut in the alleyway near my office. Never catch me over there ever again,” Asher says.
Ava takes the cup from his outstretched hand and gently places it back on the tray. “We’re just glad you’re okay, Ash,” she replies.
I nod at Ava’s sentiments. She knew we’d both be devastated if anything happened to Asher. I also enjoyed her use ofwea little more than was appropriate right now.
“Avie, can you give Brandon and me a few minutes?”
Ava furrows her brows at her brother’s inquiry but decides against questioning him and stands up from sitting on the edge of the bed. “Yeah, I’ll go check on Madison. I swear you’re handling this all better than she is.”
