Page 100 of True Sight
“Conrad, hey, it’s Alex, Henry’s friend who works with him at the studio. Look, I know we don’t know each other and that you and Henry are in some kind of whatever but I wanted you to know he’s been in a car accident. He’s at MUSC in the intensivecare unit and…”Her voice catches in her throat before blubbering, “He’s in really bad shape. Please, if you get this message, call or text me back.”
The line goes dead and my fingers act on autopilot, clicking through to the other voicemail that has been left by the +44 number.
“Hello, my name is Ellie Wheeler. I’m Henry’s best friend in London. He gave me your number when he came home for my wedding so I hope it’s okay to call you. I’ve just been notified that he’s been in a car accident and is being taken to the Medical University of South Carolina Hospital. He has me listed as his emergency contact everywhere and keeps my number in his pocketbook in case of emergencies. Someone must have found it because they called to notify me that he’s been in a pretty bad car accident. I’ve already called Alex since I had her number, too, and am catching the red eye out of London in a few hours to get there as soon as I can.” There is a similar pause in her message just like there was in Alex’s.“If you want to go and see him, it will mean a lot to him. He loves you, Conrad, so much more than he will ever be able to show you. I hope to see you as soon as I can.”
I stand frozen at my kitchen bar, phone hovering a few inches away from my face, staring out into the void as my brain tries to process what it heard.
Henry.
Car accident.
Intensive care unit.
Really bad shape.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been standing here and I would have remained frozen if it weren’t for Annie who jumps up on my leg and pulls me out of my daze. Looking around my apartment, I’m not sure what I’m doing but I move quickly, grabbing my keys, wallet, and jacket before heading out the front door with my shoes half on. Anniemust sense my urgency because she doesn’t try to bolt out the door like she normally does. I sprint down the hallway and stab at the elevator call button until the doors finally open for me. Once it hits the lower level, I break out into another sprint, heading for my car. I pull out of the parking garage at breakneck speed and hit ‘call’ on my phone. Margaret answers after only a few rings.
“Hey, Mills, what’s up?” Her voice is naively chipper.
“Margaret,” I cry out, trying to collect the right words. My breath is short and feels like it’s stabbing me in the throat with each new breath.
“Conrad, what’s wrong?”
“It’s…it’s Henry.” My voice cracks as I say his name and I can feel the corners of my eyes getting wet. I blink a few times and wish more than anything that there wasn’t so much fucking traffic in this city. Why do so many people move here, we don’t have space for anymore people. “He’s been in an accident.”
I hear her gasp on the other end. “Where is he?”
“He’s at MUSC, in the ICU, can you?—”
“I’m leaving right now,” she cuts me off, knowing exactly where I’m going next. I was never looking for a friend when I met Margaret but I’m forever thankful that I have her now.
“Margaret,” I say again.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you,” I choke out, needing her to know how much I appreciate her.
“I love you, too, Mills. I’ll see you soon.”
I pull into the parking lot of the medical hospital twenty minutes later and run into the emergency room. My head whips around until it lands on the large nurses stand in the center of the bustling space. Jogging up to it, I look at theoverworked nurse sitting at the desk clicking away on her computer.
“Henry Baker, where is he?” I hurry out, sounding almost manic.
The older woman looks up at me over her glasses and takes a breath. “And hello to you, too, darling,” she quips with a slight roll of her eyes.
“Are you kidding?” I snap, a fierce frustration burning in my gut that she’s trying to be funny right now. “Henry Baker, please tell me what room he’s in,” I say louder, leaning over the counter closer to her.
“Conrad?” A voice comes from behind me and I turn to find a woman with striking features and long black hair looking back at me. She’s wearing a black sweatshirt and tight leggings that compliment her toned legs. With a pair of oversized sneakers on her feet, I can guess who she is.
“Alex?” I ask in one breath before her body flies into mine, wrapping me in a hug.
“Thank god, you came. I felt so horrible leaving that voicemail but you weren’t answering my calls. I didn’t think you were going to come.” My arms wrap around her as if she isn’t a complete stranger to me. Henry has talked to me about her multiple times but we haven’t actually met yet.
“I was working on something so I didn’t have my phone. Where is he? Can I see him?” My voice is desperate as I pull away to look her in the eyes.
“Here, come on.” She grabs my hand and starts to pull me down the hallway but I stop her and turn to face the nurse again.
“I’m very sorry for shouting, ma’am. Thank you for everything you do.” I nod at the woman who winks at me with a tired smile, the move reminding me of the man I havefallen in love with. The man I am now rushing through a hospital corridor to go see after he was in an accident.
