Page 95 of Steadfast

Sawyer’s phone rang loudly.

He answered, falling a step behind.

Maeve had to keep walking. She had to stay strong for both of them. From the corner of her eye, she saw Sawyer bury his head in his hand, dropping his phone with a loud clatter onto the black asphalt.

“Mom, wait,” Sawyer called after her. “Mom!”

His voice suddenly sounded far away.

She straightened, stepping quickly through the hospital doors that glided open before her. Maureen was sitting behind the desk that day as usual. She was a familiar face as they had gone to battle regarding the hospital policies on more than one occasion. Maureen was busy clicking her fingers on the keys of her computer when she caught the sight of Maeve standing before her in front of the tall desk.

“Maeve Callaway,” she said, pulling nervously on her green scrubs. “How can I help you?”

“I’m here for my husband, Abel,” Maeve informed her. She swallowed hard as she studied Maureen’s response to her inquiry. If Abel was injured, she hoped for some hint of how bad it could be.

“Just a minute.” Maureen picked up her beige phone, pounded her fingers on the buttons, and cradled it on her shoulder. “I’ve got Maeve here, looking for Abel Callaway?”

Maeve anxiously tapped her fingers on the top of the desk, and her nervous words came rapidly as she filled in the gap of silence. “He’s probably come and gone by now. You know how he is. He’s always gotta help out.”

Maureen raised her finger, signaling for Maeve to wait. “I see,” she said in a low voice before setting the phone down slowly with a click.

“Maeve—” she started, pressing out a short exhale before she continued. “Didn’t you get a call from the hospital?” Maureen cocked her head to the side, glancing around quickly for assistance but finding none.

“Yes, sure. I know there was an accident.” Maeve leaned on the counter. Her heart began to pound as Maureen’s reaction confirmed her worst fear.

He was injured.

“I’m here to see Abel, Maureen,” she continued. “Just let me know his room number, and I’ll leave you alone.”

“Maeve,” Maureen’s tone dropped. Her brow furrowed into a look of sympathy.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Maeve’s words fired out harsher than she had intended. “Just point me in the right direction, Maureen.”

“I don’t get paid enough for this,” Maureen mumbled, glancing around again, desperately searching for anyone who could help.

“Every time we’re here, it’s always something,” she was yelling now. Her voice reverberated through the lobby. “He’s my husband, and he’s somewhere in this hospital. If you don’t help me, I guess I’ll find him on my own.”Maeve took a firm step toward the elevators.

“He’s—he’s gone, Maeve,” Maureen whispered, with a rare touch of sorrow in her voice. “Before he even got here, he was gone.”

“So, he’s on his way home?” Maeve stopped in her tracks. “I knew it. I told Sawyer everything was fine.” She pulled her phone from her tight pocket.

Maureen stood to her feet and came around the counter. She took Maeve firmly by the shoulders.

“No, Maeve. Abel isgone.”

The words pierced through her.

He’s gone.

The lobby froze around her, and Maureen’s voice sounded as though it were echoing down a long tunnel.

Maeve pulled her hand over her mouth as the magnitude of it all hit her at once.

Abel was gone.

She imagined she would have screamed, fallen to the ground in a heap, punched a hole through the wall.

Something. Anything.

---