Page 36 of Room Upgrade

“From what?”

“Surgery. I’ll let the doctor know you’re here.”

“Thank you.”

I walk over to the waiting room.

“Are you Atlas?” a man asks.

“I am. You?”

“Oscar. Is he okay? They won’t tell us anything.”

“I don’t know. She said the doctor would come out soon.”

“I’m Fitz,” a dark-haired man says in greeting.

“Archer,” the third man greets. He’s a standout with bright-red curly hair.

I take a seat. “Zane told me he collapsed?”

The three men nod. “He was acting normal,” Oscar says. “Then, all of a sudden, he looked really pale and just slumped to the floor.”

“Jesus. Any recent health problems?”

“Not that we know of,” Fitz answers.

“He got really mad last week over a flamingo float in the pool,” Archer says. “He went to lie down for a little while after that.”

“You still have the flamingo problem?”

They all nod.

“Mr. Atlas?”

I hop out of my chair, turning to the doctor. “My first name is Atlas.”

“Ah. You’re Howie Winston’s family contact?”

“Yes, sir. Is he okay?”

“Yes, he’s resting. We found a severely clogged artery and put in a stent.”

“Heart attack?”

“No, just on the cusp. His blood pressure dropped significantly. We’ve got him stable now.”

“Can I see him?”

“You can.”

I motion to the guys then follow the doctor down the hall. When I step into the room, my heart drops. My vibrant, quirky uncle looks small connected to all those tubes and machines. I approach slowly, and when his eyes open, he tries to sit up but quickly settles back.

“At?” His voice is hoarse.

“Hey, Uncle. How ya feeling?”

“A little rough.”