Page 67 of Legal

“Settle down. I don’t know. Before I came over. Around five maybe?”

I jumped up and stuffed my phone into my purse, pulling out my car keys. “Up, Mike. Now. I have to leave.”

St. Mary’s was approximately fifteen minutes away. I dialed Chase on the way. My heart was battering in my chest as I waited for him to answer.

“Jillian.” His tone was one of relief, and I felt like the biggest bitch who’d ever lived.

“Chase, are you at the hospital?” I blurted out quickly.

“Yes, how—”

“Why? What’s happening?”

“I’m here with Hazel—”

“Oh, my God.”

“Jillian, it’s fine. She’s fine. Her grandmother will be here soon, and then I’m leaving to come over. I’ll explain it all then, but I have to get going now.”

“Chase, I’m already on my way there.”

I managed to get the room number even after he told me it wasn’t necessary to make the trip. I was almost there anyway. He told me she was fine, but I still had that pit in my stomach. She was such a sweet little girl, and I hated the thought of her lying on a hospital bed.

I rushed to the children’s wing and searched for room 205. Was it even visiting hours? I didn’t care, and no one was stopping me. I heard the strumming first before I found it. The door was ajar, and I peeked inside. Chase was in a chair pushed beside the bed, guitar in his lap, playing a Guns N’ Roses song.

“Is that appropriate?” I asked, stepping inside.

His smile took up his entire face. “She requested it.”

“Jillian!”

I went to Hazel’s side and gave her a once-over. She appeared okay. “Hi, sweetie.” I pushed her bangs off her forehead. “How are you feeling?” I had so many questions.

“Good.”

I suddenly remembered the key chain lounging around in my bag. Perfect. I reached in for the pink guitar and pushed the button, activating the music. Her face lit up as I handed it to her. “This is for you, Hazel.”

“Oh, thank you. I love it!”

Such a simple thing, but it seemed to make her happy, and that made my heart swell. Her grandmother, Linda, came in then, all flustered and harried. I didn’t hear what Chase said to her, but after a hello and a dozen thank yous, we left the room with Chase waving.

“Bye, Hazelnut,” Chase said, and she waved to both of us. As soon as we were in the hall, he set down his guitar case and pulled me close. “That was awesome of you, Jillian.”

“What, the little key chain? It was just—” He kissed me then, and I let all the weight dissolve. Everything that had piled on me from the day. What was left was pure guilt, and I pulled back. “Chase, I’m so sorry for not responding before, I—”

He placed his finger over my lips, silencing me again. “It’s okay. I love that you’re here now.”

“What’s wrong with Hazel?”

“Come, let’s walk.” He picked up his case and took my hand. “It’s nothing that isn’t expected from time to time. She has a kidney condition and suffers relapses. Linda’s husband died a couple years back, so she’s Hazel’s sole supporter. She can’t afford to leave her job all the time or she’ll lose it. That’s when I step in. I stay with Hazel until Linda can get there. I will never let her be in this place alone if I can help it.”

“Is she going to be okay?”

“I’m optimistic.” He squeezed my hand. “I wanted to let you know sooner why I had to postpone, but I—”

“Stop, Chase.” This time, I interrupted him. I know he’d never try to make me feel like a piece of shit, but that’s exactly how I felt. “What you’re doing is wonderful. I was the one who jumped to conclusions after stopping by your place.”

“So you really did stop over?” He seemed pretty happy about that. It came to me then—he did run off to see a young chick. A really young one. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

---