35. Matty
Chapter thirty-five
Matty
“Is Josh your patient?” the doctor asked as soon as the waiting room door closed behind us.
“No, I work in the ER.”
“Then you know I can’t say anything without the mother’s consent.”
I resisted the urge to go full “angry queen” on him. He was just doing his job.
“Doc, did you just see us with Emily? We’re family now. Besides, I could just go ask the nurses. You know they would tell me whatever you’re not.”
He stopped walking and turned to face me. I expected sternness, but his scowl could’ve melted iron. He stared so long I wondered if he would speak or punch me right there in the hallway.
“Josh’s lungs aren’t fully formed, and they’re struggling. That’s why his oxygen levels fluctuate. We’re doing everything we can, but his odds aren’t great. Right now, he needs a quiet room, sleep, nutrition, and his mother to be stable and calm. The hospital can provide everything but that last bit. I need you and your friend to help with the mother.”
I nodded once and was about to ask a dozen more questions when the doc checked his pager again.
“Emergency. Gotta go.”
In a blink, I was alone in the hallway, wondering how Omar and I could help keep Emily calm as her baby boy fought for his life.