Page 102 of You Met Me There
“Come on,” I say, leading Samantha back to the chairs. “Let’s sit down.”
“Have you all eaten dinner?” Juliet stands in the waiting room, arms crossed. Her tone is all business. She’s used to this—the scene of the hospital, the look of despair on faces … The smell.
The scent of antiseptic tickles my nose, and I shiver. The room is cold and white, save for the blue chairs. I already hate it here.
“We haven’t yet,” Mike answers. “We haven’t left this room, afraid we’ll miss the doctor when he comes out.”
“I’ll run to the cafeteria and grab some sandwiches,” Jules offers. “Can I get you all some coffee?”
I look up at her, my arm around Samantha’s shoulders. “You don’t have to do all that, Jules. I can go.”
“No,” she says firmly. “You have to be here. Let me do it.”
“It’s really okay. You don’t have to—”
“Please.” Juliet’s eyes hold mine, firm and unyielding. She wants to do something. She yearns to be helpful. And I could use the help.
I nod. “Thank you. And coffee sounds good right now.”
“Yes, thank you, Juliet.” Samantha gives my sister a sad smile and grips Mike’s hand. “We could both use something warm.”
“Call me if the doctor comes out. I can get more information out of him … I think.” She bites her lip. “I mean, I know what to ask about, if you want the help. I’m a nurse.” She directs this last piece to my in-laws.
Luke’s dad nods enthusiastically. “Yes, please. We could use all the help we can get. I’m still in shock, I think. I’m … a bit at a loss for what I might need to ask.”
“Of course,” Jules says. She gives him a warm, tight-lipped smile. “I’ll be back soon.”
She walks out the double doors toward the elevator we came up on.
“How are you doing, Nat?” Samantha rests a hand on my knee. I place mine over hers.
“I’m pretty shook up,” I say. “Luke was fine just yesterday, and now?” My chin quivers, and I press my hand against my lips, covering the sob that builds in my throat. I shake my head, eyes squeezing shut as the tears burn. “I told him not to go. I told him someone else could take care of it. If he hadn’t come to Florida, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Sweetheart.” Her arm wraps around me and she pulls me into her. I cry on her shoulder. “He’ll be okay. Everything will be fine. He’ll beat this; he’s strong. We can’t be thinking the worst.”
Mike’s voice echoes hers. “He’ll be okay.”
He’ll be okay.
He’ll be okay.
He’ll be okay.
I recite it in my mind as if saying it enough times will make it true.
I know they’re just trying to be strong for me, but what they don’t understand is if I lose him, I’ll never be the same. I’d see no way forward.
There would be no one to hold me and no way out of the nightmares.
Chapter 51
Natalie
Juliet came back ten minutes ago with a paper bag of sandwiches and cookies and a to-go carrier of hot coffee in paper cups. I’m so nauseous I haven’t been able to eat more than a few bites, but the coffee actually seems to be helping. It heats my insides and warms my numb hands as I hold it close to my chest.
Looking down at my clothes, I wish now that I had changed into something else before getting on the plane. I didn’t run back to the cabin for anything before speeding to the airport, and now I’m wondering if maybe I should have.
The denim shorts pull at my legs as I sit, and my skin sticks to the plastic material of the chair cushion. My frilly pink spaghetti strap tank top exposes my shoulders to the AC blasting from the vents above us. The only thing that makes any sense right now are my practical white sneakers.
