“They’re not sure yet, they’re still waiting for the test results, but it may have been a stroke.
“Oh, my God!”
“They caught it quickly though,” he said. “She collapsed over at Elizabeth Fischer’s house, and they immediately called for an ambulance.”
Sven took my bags, and I followed my father into the ward, looking for my aunt. She was lying propped up in a bed, looking pale and tired. She opened her eyes as we approached her bed and when she saw me, she smiled.
“Belle,” her voice was weak, and I could see her hand twitching as if trying to reach out to me.
“Aunt Kate,” I sniffed, grabbing her hand and holding it tight.
“How are you feeling?” she nodded and closed her eyes again.
“Let’s let her rest,” my father said, and we stepped back. One of the nurses came to talk to us, saying they were running a range of tests and saying that we should know soon what was going on. The nurse confirmed what my father said, that she was stable now and not in any danger.
“Let’s go get some coffee,” my father said. He had his arm around my shoulder and kissed my head.
“It’s so good to see you,” he said, with tears in his eyes.
Was it my imagination or had he grown older over the past few weeks?
“Have you lost weight,” I asked.
“I hope so,” he said, jokingly.
“Dad!”
“We’ve been eating less since you’ve been gone,” he admitted. “I don’t see the point of having cooked meals every evening.”
“I shouldn’t have left you guys,” I said, filled with guilt.
“Nonsense! You are living the dream now!”
“Well…” he wasn’t wrong.
“You are not responsible for our health and happiness. You’re not the wellness officer in the Scuziak home!” he said, trying to cheer me up. It worked. When we got outside the ward, Sven wasn’t there. I looked around trying to find him, he had my bag with my phone in it.
“How come Sven’s here?” I asked my father.
“Ah, you know, he wanted to come.”
“Why?”
My father gave me a knowing look. “He’s not over you. I think he was hoping you’d give him another chance.”
I shook my head.
I spotted him in the hospital cafeteria, and we went to join him.
“How is she?” he immediately asked, and I softened a bit towards him. I knew he knew my aunt well and had been in our lives for many years. He was being helpful, and I should be more grateful.
I went to get us some coffee and something to eat.
When my father went to the bathroom, Sven leaned over.
“Your phone kept ringing while you were away, so I answered it.”
“Oh?”