Page 46 of High Intensity

A call comes in forty minutes later when I’m halfway there, and I answer with a press of the button on my steering wheel.

“Yes,” I answer curtly, not recognizing the number but hoping it’s David with news about Mom.

“Is this Lucas Wolff?”

“It is.”

“Mr. Wolff, my name is Dr. Hannon, I’m the on-call orthopedic surgeon at Logan Health Medical Center. Your mother was brought in a while ago as the result of a fall. We were able to determine she suffered a displaced fracture of both bones in her forearm and she needs surgery to set the bones. Unfortunately, your mother is a bit confused at the moment, and I understand you have power of attorney for her?”

Confused? Mom?

“I do,” I answer him.

“Good. I’m going to need your verbal consent to operate on her.”

“You said she was confused? As far as I know my mother doesn’t have dementia,” I point out.

“Confusion can be a result of shock, or an undiagnosed UTI, sometimes dehydration will cause confusion in the elderly. Chances are she’ll be fine tomorrow, but at this point I’d prefer to err on the side of caution and get your okay.”

“Yes, yes, of course. I’m a little over half an hour away and I’ll sign whatever you need.”

“Check in at the nurses’ desk in the emergency department. They’ll have forms for you to fill out.”

When he ends the call, I take a moment to process the information, which comes with a bit of relief. I would think a broken arm—even one that requires surgery to fix—is preferable to a fractured hip or skull, but I’ll still spend the night in the hospital.

I quickly call Dan to give him an update and ask him to pass on to Jonas I likely won’t be there in the morning.

Next, I dial Jillian. Not that we made any firm plans, but I had hoped to drop by her place tonight, and I don’t want her to think I’d leave her hanging after spending the night with her.

She answers on the second ring and surprises me.

“How is she?”

“She needs surgery to set the bones in her forearm. How did you know?”

“Dan told Sloane, who called me. I wasn’t sure whether maybe you didn’t want to be disturbed, so I was waiting, hoping for a call.”

“You could never disturb me.”

Now I’m surprising myself. For someone whose always valued his privacy, I’m sure quick to give her free access.

“You’re on your way to the hospital?”

“Yeah, that’s why I called, I’m gonna stick around at the hospital, and am not sure how long that’ll be.”

“Of course,” she acknowledges immediately. “Do you want company?”

Damn, the fact she cares feels good.

“I’ll be fine. Besides, I know you’re not a fan of hospitals, so I wouldn’t ask that of you. Especially after already spending the day in one.”

She’s quiet for a bit and for a split second I wonder if maybe I hurt her feelings. But then she puts my mind at ease.

“All you have to do is call if you change your mind,” she says softly. “I’ll be here.”

Yeah, feels damn good.

Fourteen

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