Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Henry
I was awoken from a sound sleep by the ringing of my phone. When I reached over and grabbed it from the nightstand, I saw my mother was calling.
“Mom?” I sleepily answered.
“Henry, your father has had a heart attack and is being rushed to Mount Sinai. You need to get there as soon as possible. I tried to call your sister, and she isn’t answering. I don’t know where the hell that girl is.”
“She’s here with me. Mom, is he going?—”
“I don’t know. Just get to the hospital.” She hung up.
Flying out of bed, I pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt and ran to the guestroom.
“Addison, wake up!” I shouted as I entered the room.
“Oh my God, Henry. What?” She placed the pillow over her head.
“Mom just called. Dad had a heart attack, and he’s being rushed to the hospital.”
“Oh my God!” She jumped out of bed.
“Hurry and throw on some clothes. We have to go.”
We rushed through the doors of the E.R. and asked where my father was. After a few keystrokes, the nurse behind the desk told us we needed to go to the surgical waiting room on the third floor.
“Surgery?” Addison looked at me as we stepped into the elevator.
“It must have been pretty bad,” I spoke as the doors closed.
We found the waiting room and saw my mother sitting in a chair, looking out the window.
“Mom,” Addison spoke as she ran over and gave her a hug.
“How’s Dad?” I asked.
He’s in surgery right now. The doctor said if he waited, he would most likely have another heart attack.
“What happened?” I asked.
She stared at me with a stern look on her face.
“He got up to use the bathroom and collapsed on the floor,” she spoke. “What have you done?” she asked as her eyes stared into mine, and I could see the hatred in them.
“Mom, stop. Now isn’t the time,” Addison said.
“It’s because of that deaf woman. Isn’t it?”
“No. I wasn’t happy with Kirsten and hadn’t been in a long time.” I tucked my hands in my pants pockets.
“Bullshit, Henry.”
“Mom. You need to?—”
“Shut up, Addison. This is between your brother and me,” my mother spat.
“Do not talk to her like that!” I spoke through gritted teeth. “We can discuss this later. Right now, this is about Dad, not me.”
She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes as she glared at me.
“We always took pride in the fact that you never disappointed us, Henry. I can no longer say that. I’m going to get some coffee.”
“Mom, I can?—”
“No, Addison. I’ll go myself.”
I turned and faced the window as I stared at the outside. I honestly didn’t know what to think about what my mother had just said to me.
“Obviously, that little bitch ran to them last night,” Addison spoke as she placed her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t let what Mom said upset you. You know she’s just worried about Dad.”
“I think in some subtle way she’s blaming me for his heart attack.”
“God, Henry. No. She is not blaming you.”
My mother walked back into the waiting room with a cup of coffee in her hand and took a seat. Addison sat down next to her, and I took the seat across from her. She wouldn’t even look at me, so I got up, went out into the hallway, and leaned against the wall with my hands tucked tightly into my pockets. Being in this hospital brought back so many memories of Abigail.
It had been four hours, and we still hadn’t heard anything. I desperately needed coffee, so Addison and I walked down to the coffee bar that was situated off the lobby. As I was paying for our coffee, I heard someone say my name.
“Henry?”
Turning around, I saw Ellie standing there.
“Ellie? What are you doing here?” I signed as I noticed her staring at Addison.
“I’m visiting a friend of mine who just had a baby.”
“Ellie, this is my sister, Addison,” I signed. “Addison, this is Ellie. She can read lips.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Ellie.” She smiled as she placed her hand on her arm.
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, Addison. What are you two doing here?”
“I was going to text you later. Our father had a heart attack. He’s up in surgery,” I signed.
“I’m so sorry. I hope he’s going to be okay.”
“Thank you. So do we. We were just grabbing a cup of coffee. Can I buy you one?”
“Thank you, but no. I’m good. I was just heading to the gift shop to get some flowers and a balloon.”
“I’ll go with you.” I smiled as I signed to her. “Addison, I’ll meet you upstairs.”
“Okay.” She patted my shoulder. “It was nice to meet you,” she spoke to Ellie.
Ellie gave her a nod and smiled as we headed to the gift shop.
“She’s a beautiful girl,” she spoke.
“She is.” I smiled. “I’m sorry I didn’t text you sooner.”
“Don’t apologize. You have a lot going on and need to be with your family.”
After she picked out some flowers and a balloon, we stepped into the elevator together. As soon as it stopped on my floor, I pressed my lips against her forehead.
“I’ll text you later.”
“Okay.” She smiled. “I’ll keep your father in my prayers.”
I stepped out of the elevator, and just as I walked into the waiting room, the doctor walked in.
“How is my husband?” my mother asked him.
“He’s in recovery in the ICU, and he’s stable. As far as we can tell, the triple bypass went well, and with the proper care and rest, I expect him to make a full recovery in about six to twelve weeks.”
“When can we see him?” Addison asked.
“As soon as he wakes up, which won’t be for a couple more hours. But visits need to be brief because he needs his rest.”
“Thank you, Dr.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Walker. A nurse will come get you as soon as your husband wakes up,” he spoke before walking out of the room.
“Thank God,” Addison said as she hooked her arm around our mother, and they both sat down.
“Mom, you need to eat. The doctor said it’ll be at least a couple more hours before Dad wakes up. Let’s go to the cafeteria and grab something.”
“I’m not hungry, but you two go.”
“No, Mom. We’re not leaving you,” Addison said.
“Did you ever stop to think that I want to be alone for a while?” she snapped at her.
“Come on, Addison. Give Mom her space,” I spoke with irritation.
“What the hell is her problem?” she asked as we headed to the cafeteria. “The doctor said Dad is going to be fine.”
“You know how she gets when she’s upset.”
The moment we stepped inside the cafeteria, the corners of my mouth curved upward when I saw Ellie staring at the bagels. Walking over to her, I lightly touched her arm.
“Hey.” She smiled.
“I thought you were visiting your friend?”
“I am. The lactation nurse is working with her right now, so I told her I’d return in a bit.”
“Thinking about getting a bagel?” I signed with a smile.
“Yeah. I didn’t have a chance to eat before I left this morning.”
“You should have more than just a bagel,” I signed.
“I think a bagel is the safest choice here.”
“You’re probably right.” I chuckled. “We’re going to sit down. Join us.”
“Hi, Ellie.” Addison walked over to where we stood.
“Hi, Addison.” She smiled as she gave her a small wave.
I bought the three of us bagels and juice, and we took a seat at one of the tables.
“Any news on your dad yet?” Ellie signed.
“He’s out of surgery and in the ICU. The doctor said the surgery went well, and we’ll be able to see him when he wakes up,” I spoke as I signed.
“That’s great news.” The corners of her mouth curved upward.
After talking for a while, Ellie got up from the table.
“I’m going to visit my friend now and then head home. I have to do some work on a website. I promised I would have it finished by tomorrow.”
“I would like to see you tonight,” I signed.
“I’d like to see you too. I can come over to your place.”
Suddenly, a sick feeling took root in the pit of my stomach. Kirsten still had some of her things at my place, and I couldn’t risk Ellie seeing them.
“Actually, my housekeeper is back from vacation today, and I’m sure she’s going to be there late cleaning. I can come to your place, and we’ll order some dinner. How’s six o’clock?”
“That’s fine.” Ellie smiled. “I’ll be done with work by then. It was nice to see you again, Addison.”
“We should go out sometime.” Addison smiled.
“I’d like that.”
Addison grabbed my arm the moment Ellie walked away.
“OH MY GOD! I love her. You have my approval, big brother.” She grinned.
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” I let out a chuckle.
“I’ve never seen you use sign language before. You two looked so beautiful talking. Can you teach me?”
“You really want to learn?” I asked.
“Yes. Definitely.”
“I’ll teach you then.” I smiled at her.