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Angie gasps. “Is he okay?”
I don’t reply, just run toward the doctors and stand with Marjorie, Bryce, and Henry.
“He’s not out of the woods yet,” the doctor is saying, “but we were able to repair the damage to his liver and his spleen. Unfortunately, the damage to his left kidney was too invasive. We had to remove it.”
“What about his other kidney?” Marjorie asks.
“His other kidney was much less damaged and we were able to repair it,” the doctor says. “So if he recovers, he’ll have full kidney function.”
Marjorie breathes a sigh of relief.
“But you said he’s not out of the woods yet,” Bryce says.
“The next twenty-four hours are crucial. We’ll be monitoring him in the ICU.”
“Can we see him?” Marjorie asks.
“One at a time,” she says, “and only family.”
I swallow.
That means not me.
“You go first, sweetie,” Bryce says.
Marjorie heads back with the doctor, and Bryce turns to me. “You may as well go home, Maddie.”
“No,” I say adamantly. “I’m not leaving.”
“You need to get some sleep.”
“Don’t you get it? He was coming to see me. This is my fault.”
Bryce’s face twists as if he’s angry but then falls into sheer exhaustion.
“I’m not leaving. I love your son.”
He raises his eyebrows weakly. “Do you? Then please stay.” His lips twitch upward. Were the circumstances different, I think he’d be smiling right now. “You’re a lovely girl. And my son seems to be quite taken with you. I hope you can have a future.”
Dave’s father, usually so strong and assured, seems like a shadow. Dave told me how Jonah’s illness is affecting him. They’ve been best friends their whole lives.
And now this.
He can’t lose a best friend and a son.
And damn it, I can’t lose Dave.
Henry walks up to me. “I’m taking the girls over to the Carlton. We’re going to get a suite. You’re welcome to join us.”
“I’m not leaving,” I say.
“All right.” Henry nods. “Keep us posted. Please.”
I nod.
I’m uncomfortable. I feel conspicuous in my black trench coat with no pantyhose and black pumps.
But that’s the least of my worries.
