Matt, my best friend who lived on my property, drove me to the hospital. We made a pit stop at the Lady Elsmere’s to drop off his daughter, Emmeline, with Bess and Amelia after we saw the lights on at the Big House. The two sisters were very tight lipped about what had happened, but didn’t fight me about taking care of the baby. I think they were expecting us to drop her off.
I had met Matt years ago at a party where he was challenged to a movie bet. What was the command Kentuckian Patricia Neal gave the robot, Gort, in the sci-fi movie The Day the Earth Stood Still?
I leaned over and whispered in Matt’s ear, “It was “Klaatu barada nikto.”
Matt won some money and bragging rights, and I had won a devoted friend. We’ve been stuck together like glue ever since then. Oh, we’ve had our ups-and-downs, but we made an agreement to butt out of each other’s personal lives. It’s been smooth sailing since then—okay, you caught me. Most of the time it is smooth sailing. Matt’s been shot because of me, but that’s in the past.
I love Matt and it wouldn’t take much to make me fall in love with him. He’s gorgeous for one thing—over six feet tall, wavy raven hair, patrician features, and blue eyes. He’s a tax attorney and honest to the point of being boring. However, where his personal life is concerned—don’t turn your back on him. He’ll cheat on any “beloved” if he just sniffs something more interesting. It doesn’t bode well for any adult falling in love with Matt. I warn him all the time that he’s going to end up old and alone if he doesn’t change his ways.
Matt has been better with his wicked ways since Emmeline was born. He is besotted with his only child and is a good father by all accounts. I have hopes that Matt will mellow into a mature male who has cultivated high standards regarding his love life. I’ll keep you posted on Matt’s development.
It took twenty-five minutes to reach the hospital. All the while, I was biting my bottom lip and clutching one of Emmeline’s stuffed animals. I wished Baby was with me. I never realized how much I depended on that dog until he wasn’t with me.
We came to the main entrance of the hospital in an abrupt stop. I quickly jumped out and ran inside while Matt parked the car. I called Shaneika from the hospital foyer. She answered her phone.
“Where?”
“Third floor. Waiting room on the left.”
I called Matt and told him where I would be and then ran to catch the elevator. I was worried sick and felt as though I might vomit. Asa was all the family I had left. The thought of being alone frightened me. Let’s face reality. Lady Elsmere would die sooner or later—more sooner than later. Matt would eventually buy his own house and move away. Oh, yeah, I had lots of friends, but no one else who makes that deep bone connection—know what I mean? Yeah, I was afraid for my beautiful daughter and for myself. I think terrified was a better word.
Shaneika was waiting for me at the elevator.
“Where is she?”
“She’s still in recovery, but the nurse said she’s doing fine. The doctor said he would come out and talk to you.”
“Is she going to be okay?”
“The nurse seemed to think so.”
“What happened?”
“That’s a little fuzzy. We don’t know. We don’t even know what caused the injury. All we know is Asa was bleeding from her side and passed out.”
“Did she have any operatives with her?”
Shaneika took a deep breath, hesitating before speaking. “Yes, but they seemed as confused as we did.”
“I want to talk with them.”
“That’s gonna be hard, Josiah. As soon as we loaded Asa in a car to take her to the hospital, they stole one of our vehicles and lit out. We have no idea where they are.”
“I hate you right now, Shaneika.”
Shaneika looked pained. “That’s fear talking, Josiah.”
“Maybe so, but I hate your guts right now.”
“Let’s concentrate on getting Asa well, and then you can chew me out again. Deal?”
“Deal.” I stomped into the reception room where Charles stood waiting. I sat down not speaking a word to him. He sat beside me and took my hand in his large, calloused one. We sat holding hands like old comrades who had been beaten down by too much sorrow and defeat.
Shaneika sat on the opposite side and thumbed through outdated magazines.
The three of us waited in an uncomfortable silence.