Page 155 of Sassy Love
Striding through the corridor, I take in everything I can, hunting for the curtain number Carlie gave me.
4
When I reach the curtain I’m after, a small, elderly man waits, his hands in his pockets, his gaze staring at nothing in particular as he stands guard. Almost stoic.
Henry.
The tension on his face is one I recognize immediately.
“Henry.” I stop a few feet away.
“Lawson, hello.” His voice is low but steady.
“How’s she doing?”
“Carlie’s in there with her. They’re waiting to send her to X-ray.”
“Good. You need me to grab you a chair? It might be a long wait.”
“I’m old, not useless, son.” He glances up to me now.
I nod, offering what I hope is a reassuring smile.
His jaw feathers. “Sorry, this has me all kinds of stressed out. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to worry about someone apart from myself.”
“No, it’s okay. I know what it’s like.”
He holds my gaze for a moment before sighing.
I can tell by the worried look on his face that this is eating him. “Hey, you want me to grab you a coffee, tea, anything?” I offer.
“Ah—no... maybe a tea?” He shifts on his feet, as if unsure about anything right now.
“On it. Be right back.”
I head for the nurses’ station to ask where the cafeteria is. Armed with instructions, I head that way through the corridors and into the maze of the hospital. Five minutes later, I have found the small but bustling space. Once I have a tray with steaming lidded beverages, I make my way back.
Rounding the ER nurses’ station, I find Carlie talking with Henry and who I assume is the doctor. She glances my way, and I can tell the news is not good. Her face is pinched, her hands wringing in front of her as I file in beside her.
“How about we go to the family room and discuss our options.” The doctor offers me a small smile.
“Sure,” Carlie breathes.
I hand her the coffee and Henry his tea. He nods his thank you, and we follow the doctor.
“You needing anything else?” I lean down and say to Carlie as we reach the family room, where the doctor holds the door open for us. Three green upholstered chairs that look like they’ve seen better days are lined up against the wall by the door.
“No, I’m good. I’ll see you in a bit.”
She walks inside, indicating for me to stay outside. Henry ambles in after her, throwing me an empathetic look. I’m not included.
I get it, Millie is her family.
But I thought . . .
I was, too?
We’re big on including everyone in everything we do in our family, so it stings a little that she’s shutting me out of this. Ultimately, it’s her choice.
