Page 9 of Hidden Vows
Who the hell are Max and Fiona?
“My mom picked them up from the reception hours ago. We already planned for them to stay the night with her since we didn’t know how late we’d be.”
“I can’t find his chart,” Caleb mumbles as he messes with the tablet. It’s said so quietly I almost miss it from where I stand in the doorway.
“They probably blocked you from it. You know you shouldn’t be looking at it anyway. He’s not your patient.” It’s a gentle reprimand, but it’s enough for him to lift his eyes to look at the female doctor, and when he does his eyes stop on mine.
“Sorry, can we help you?”
I swallow, taking the final step into the room, shoving myhands in my pockets as my eyes finally travel to the man lying in the bed.
I’ve always thought of my father as a pillar of strength. While being the biggest teddy bear at heart, my father can appear menacing with his large frame and tattoos. But seeing him now, lying in the hospital bed with tubes and wires all over the place, he looks so small and unassuming. Nothing like the man I’ve always seen him as.
I bring my eyes back to the man standing at the foot of my father’s bed and finally answer him. “I’m Jude, Walt’s son.”
At the sound of my voice, Abbey’s entire posture goes taut. She doesn’t turn to look at me, but I can feel the tension pouring off her, and I hate it. Almost more than seeing my father in that bed.
“Oh. Sorry, I didn’t recognize you. Caleb Marks,” he says, sticking his hand out for mine in a request for a handshake.
I remember Caleb from before I left town. He’s a few years younger than me, but growing up in a small town, you know who most people are.
Trying to appear like I have my shit together, I remove my hand from my pocket and accept the request for a handshake. Unfortunately, I’m unable to form any words.
But, like it has a few times this morning, something—or someone—is looking out for me.
“Sorry! I forgot to bring Abbey her things.” Ava breezes through the door, Gage right on her heels. Ava only stops once she hands Abbey her bag and registers the tension in the room. “What happened? Is everything okay with Walt?” Ava’s eyes bounce around the room, never staying on one person for long.
It’s Abbey who finally answers her. “The doctor hasn’t been in yet; we don’t know anything.”
And as if right on cue, another doctor enters the room, pausing just inside the door when he registers how many people there are.
“Well, I know the two of you know better,” he says, gesturing to Caleb and the female doctor. “Besides, only immediate family should be in here.” The doctor’s eyes bounce to Ava and me before stepping to the side and signaling us to leave.
“I’m his son. I don’t mind if they stay.” I don’t know much about these people, but I can see they’ve been here for Abbey, and if they bring her comfort I don’t want them to leave.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize. I’m Dr. Croft, your father’s surgeon.” He glances around the room and sighs before looking back at me. “I had a chance to speak to your sister before the surgery. Did she fill you in?”
At the quick intake of air, my eyes shoot to Abbey briefly. Now I understand why the doctor never indicated that Abbey should leave.
“Yeah, they’ve kept me updated.” It may not have been Abbey keeping me updated, but now I know why Gage had as much information as he did.
I knew in his position, he could get some information about my dad’s status, but he shouldn’t have been able to get all the details.
“Good.” Dr. Croft turns to face Abbey, addressing her when he speaks next. “Your father’s surgery went well. We were able to clear the blockage in his heart and place the stent without any problems. The bigger issue is that he hit his head when he fell due to the heart attack. His CT scan does show some bleeding of the brain. We’re monitoring it, but doesn’t look like it will require surgery. Neurology has recommended he be under sedation to keep him comfortable after the trauma. We’re not sure how long he’ll stay under, but we’ll be monitoring closely.” Dr. Croftpauses, glancing over his shoulder at me briefly before turning back to Abbey. “Do you have any questions for me right now?”
“Oh, um, no. I don’t think so.” Her gaze shifts to mine for only a second before she turns to look at my father.
“Dr. Winters, the neurologist, should be in shortly to answer any questions that might come up. And, of course, if you need anything just let one of the nurses know. They can page me if needed.” Dr. Croft turns to me and shakes my hand before leaving the room.
It’s silent, minus the beeping from the machines attached to my dad. The tension in the room rises like the tide, making me wonder how many people in this room truly know the history between Abbey and me?
Without thinking about it, my eyes fall back to Abbey. I want to shout at her to just look at me, even if only for a minute. Long enough for me to clearly see the woman she’s become.
I thought I knew how much I missed her before but seeing her now—for the first time in fifteen years—I realize I was wrong. Seeing her now, seeing her refuse to look at me, I realize I never knew the meaning of the word.
How can I miss someone who’s sitting right in front of me? Someone I have no right to miss?
“Have you been introduced to everyone, Jude?” Ava asks cautiously from her spot next to Abbey.
