Chapter 17
There was still time to get to her interview.
She knew with the way things ended with Dante, that he wouldn’t take her back.
And did she even want him to take her back?
Sure, he treated her nice, better than nice.
But he was a criminal from a criminal family.
A long line of criminals. And not only that he wanted a wife and kids.
Things she didn’t want. Nope. It was for the best. Like she told him, they were just too different.
Henry went back to get prepped for surgery. Then a nurse came out to get her to wait with him until they took him back.
“How do you feel?” She reached for his hand.
“Good.
“It’s time for you to go back, Mr. Bryant,” the nurse said.
Everything happened in a blur and before she knew it he was being wheeled away from her. Another nurse directed her to where she could wait for Henry. She found a window seat. Her parents had come, but they were too late to see Henry before he went back.
“Hi, Mom, Dad. Henry just went back. I just came out to find a seat.”
“Where is your young man?” Madison’s mom looked around.
“I told him he didn’t need to come.” Madison didn’t bother to tell them that they had broken up. Her mother would make a snide remark that Madison wasn’t able to keep a man.
“Well, how long are we supposed to wait?” Her mom looked around the room, already uninterested in the real reason she was there.
“I don’t think it’s supposed to be more than two hours.” Madison pulled a book out of her bag.
“What’s that you have there?” Her mother grabbed it from her hand. “Oh, a romance. I wouldn’t think you need to read those anymore now that you have someone. He would be more appreciative if you read a sex for dummies or something like that.”
Madison’s face heated. She would say she couldn’t believe that her mom would say this in front of Madison’s father, but nothing fazed her when it came to her mother anymore.
“Well, I had already scheduled a hair appointment with the same salon Glenda uses. It took me forever to get off the waitlist, so I’m not giving it up.
” Her mom handed Madison the romance novel back and looked at her father.
“Milford, do you want to stay here and I pick you up after I’m done?
Or if Henry is done before me, Madison can drop you off. ”
Madison looked at her dad’s face. She could tell he was unsure if it was a good idea to let her mother go off on her own and being torn wanting to wait for his son.
“I’ll stay here and wait for Henry to come out.”
“Suit yourself.” Madison’s mom kissed her dad and side eyed Madison as she left.
“Here, Dad, let’s find a place where we can sit together.
” Madison moved away from the window seat and found them two chairs next to the TV.
Her dad gazed up at the screen, so Madison pulled her book out and went back to reading.
She had just reached a hot scene that made her think of Dante and she looked up to find him at the nurse’s station and he looked in her direction.
What was he doing here? He walked towards her and she couldn’t take her eyes off him as he approached.
Her center pulsed and her nipples beaded against her shirt.
She shifted under his gaze. She was getting wetter and could feel her slickness between her thighs, as her folds rubbed together.
Nothing new when Dante was around. She didn’t know what the connection was between them.
She didn’t have time to deal with it now. Her dad had fallen asleep. She didn’t want her conversation with Dante to wake her dad so she got up to head him off, but he was already there.
“Hey.”
“What are you doing here?” She didn’t mean to sound as harsh as she did and softened her voice.
“I didn’t think I would see you again.” She looked around.
There were not too many people waiting for patients so that was good, but they had drawn some attention.
Her dad stirred and she tried to move Dante away from him.
“I went to pick you up. Weren’t you doing your interview?”
“I told you I wasn’t going to do it.” She lowered her voice.
“What did you have to lose? Henry isn’t even out yet.” He made as if to touch her and then let his hand fall away.
Madison angled her body to block Dante’s view of her dad. “Yeah, but I was with him before he went back.”
“Your parents could have been with him for you.”
“They were late and didn’t get to see him before he went back.” She looked over her shoulder at her dad still snoring.
“You can’t be everything for them.”
She crossed her arms under her breasts. “I’m not going to be nothing either.”
“Excuse me. You’re here for Mr. Bryant?”
“Yes. Is he out?”
“The doctor wanted to speak with you all. I can show you to the room.”
Madison got her dad up and Dante inserted himself and grabbed her bag.
“If you all will follow me, I’ll show you where you can wait.”
“Is Henry not out yet?”
“The doctor will be with you in a minute.” The door clicked closed behind the nurse.
Before Madison could voice her worries, the door opened and the doctor came in with a priest and another person.
“I’m Doctor Benjamin. You are Mr. Bryant’s family?” He looked between them all.
“I’m Henry’s father. This is his sister and her boyfriend.”
“Ok.”
“I can leave.” Dante spoke up. “I’m just here to support Madison.”
“Right. No, stay. She will need it.” He looked back at Madison’s father. “I’m sorry to have to tell you that Henry didn’t make it through the surgery.”
“What?” Madison looked between her father and the doctor.
“No.” Her father slid down into the chair Dante had pushed behind him.
“What happened? Can we get him some water please?”
“Sure, I’ll be right back,” said the woman next to the doctor and left.
“There was a complication. He went into cardiac arrest, and we couldn’t save him.”
“No.” Madison’s emotions bubbled to the surface and rushed like waves. Henry was gone. What did that mean for her father? How would he survive without his only son? She watched her dad crumple up in the chair with the realization that his only son was dead.
Madison tried to process what was happening, but there was a rushing sound in her ears and she looked between her dad and Dante and then things went blank.
****
She awoke to Dante sitting next to her. She tried to sit up. “What are you doing here?”
He released her hand and got up to help her. She looked around. “What happened? Where is Henry?”
Dante reached for her hand. “Madison—”
“No, don’t. Don’t tell me that.” It all came rushing back to her. “This was routine surgery; he couldn’t have died.”
“I’m sorry. Madison, baby. Don’t cry.” He wiped the tears from her face.
“Where are my parents?”
Dante’s jaw tightened and she looked away.
“My mom didn’t come back or she did and they left?” She didn’t know which was worse.
“They left.”
“Right. Of course.” They didn’t care. Dante came. Why? She still wasn’t sure.
“Can I see him?”
“I’m not sure, but I’m sure we can ask a nurse and she might be able to tell us.”
Madison looked up at the ceiling and swallowed the big lump in her throat. Henry was gone. Her parents had left. Her mom would make it all center around herself. They hadn’t even stayed for her to wake up.
Would they send a counselor around? They had sent a priest, so Henry must’ve put down Catholic on his forms. Maybe a priest or nun would come back. She was in disbelief and denial. She knew she would need help to get through this on her own.
Without Henry, she had no one. Dante and she were no longer together, and she didn’t want to burden Zoe with her grief and make her the sole dumping spot for her sadness and pain.
“Come, let me take you home.” He reached for her hand.
“I can take myself home. I have Henry’s car. Thanks for coming. I appreciate it.” She looked out the window. She couldn’t look at him because her mind had played tricks on her and it looked like Dante had a hurt expression flash across his face. And that couldn’t be.
Why would he be? He had told her how temporary their relationship was. Was he upset that he hadn’t been the one to end it?
“I’m already here, I can take you. Besides, you fainted. I don’t think you should be driving.”
Shit. He was right. “No, thank you. I can call Zoe. Oh no. I have to tell her what happened.”
“I can tell her for you. I’m sure she will understand that I’m going to take care of you. You need someone to stay with you. You shouldn’t be alone.”
“I’ll be fine. Can you please pass me my phone? I’ll let her know what happened to Henry.”
“Madison. I have Zoe’s number. I can let her know. You shouldn’t be worrying about this right now. Let me help you get up and we can go home.”
“I’m not going home with you.” She knew he would try and take over and treat her like a child again. He assumed he knew best.
A nurse came in behind Dante. “Is there a problem?”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Madison and Dante spoke at the same time. The nurse looked between the two. “Sir. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“Madison, baby. Let me take you home.”
“No. Zoe will come get me.”
“Sir, you heard Ms. Bryant. Please leave.”
Dante looked at Madison. “Fine.” He held up his hands. “I’ll leave, but I’ll come and check on you when you’re back home.” He turned and walked out of the door.
She watched him walk out. He didn’t have to tell her. She knew he would come to look for her at her place. If she had to, she would get a hotel room for a couple of days until he got the hint.
“Here, hun, let me help you get up. Someone will be in to see you from our counseling center. They will be able to give you more information.”
Madison let the nurse help her then she sat on the edge of the bed and waited.
-—Zoe: I’m so sorry. Let me know if you need anything. Even if you just want me to sit with you.”—