Page 9 of The Space He Left
Sam was quiet for a moment. "That's... that's Jack, all right. Always trying to save everyone."
"It's one of the things I love about him," I said, meaning it. "He has such a good heart. I can't imagine being married to someone who wouldn't help a friend in need."
"Even when it means missing appointments like this?"
"It's just one appointment, Sam. There will be more, and hopefully Madison will be better soon and won't need so muchhelp." I tucked the ultrasound photo into my purse. "Besides, pregnancy isn't a crisis. Cancer is."
Sam studied my face for a long moment. "You're really okay with all this?"
"Of course I am. Jack is being exactly the man I married. I wouldn't want him to be any other way."
"Well," Sam said slowly, "if you ever need anything while he's helping her... a ride, someone to talk to, backup for appointments... You know where to find me."
"Thank you, Sam. That means a lot."
As I drove home, I thought about how lucky I was to have married someone with such a generous heart. Jack was doing exactly what I'd expect him to do – helping someone who had no one else. It was temporary, Madison would get better, and things would go back to normal.
At home, I put the ultrasound photos on the refrigerator where Jack would see them as soon as he walked in. I couldn't wait to share this glimpse of our daughter with him.
Everything was exactly as it should be.
Chapter 4
Jack
The third emergency call came during the Brennan contract meeting.
I was in the middle of explaining the timeline for their kitchen renovation when my phone buzzed insistently against the conference table. Madison's name flashed on the screen, and my stomach clenched with familiar dread.
"I'm sorry," I said to Tom Brennan and his wife. "This is urgent. Can you give me just a minute?"
I stepped into the hallway and answered. "Madison? What's wrong?"
"Jackie." Her voice was shaky, panicked. "Something's happening. The pain is so much worse, and I can't reach the oncologist. I think... I think something's wrong with the treatment."
My blood went cold. "Where are you?"
"At the hotel. I was supposed to have treatment today, but they cancelled it because my white count was too low, and nowI'm feeling worse, and I don't know what to do. I'm scared, Jackie. What if the cancer is spreading?"
I was already grabbing my keys, my mind shifting into crisis mode. "I'm coming. Just stay calm. I'm leaving now. I'll be there soon."
Back in the conference room, I stuffed papers into my briefcase while the Brennans watched with growing irritation. Their vacation schedule, their carefully arranged appointments, their new kitchen – it all felt trivial compared to Madison alone in that sterile hotel room, terrified that she might be dying.
"Family emergency," I explained, not meeting their eyes.
Pete caught me in the parking lot, his weathered face creased with concern. "Jack, where are you going? We've got the Miller job starting this afternoon, and you said you'd walk the site with me."
"Something came up. You can handle the Miller walkthrough."
"This is the third time this week you've had to leave suddenly. Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine. Just... personal stuff I need to take care of."
Pete gave me a long look. "Personal stuff that takes you to the city every other day? Mrs. Patterson asked me yesterday if Henderson Construction was having problems because you missed her consultation."
Guilt twisted in my stomach, but I pushed it aside. "Tell Mrs. Patterson I'll call her personally. And my family has to come first."
"How's Harper? Everything okay with the pregnancy?"
