Page 39 of The Final Storm
“Jackie? Oh, the nurse,” I reply. I go over to her and hug her. “His fever went down. He made it through the night.”
“I’m so sorry for bolting,” Lori cries. “I just couldn’t watch him die. I physically couldn’t survive that. Do you understand?”
I hold her tighter, and we sway in the embrace. “I do. You do what you need to. I’m here.”
“Caleb and Sam aren’t back yet?” she asks, wiping tears from her cheeks.
“I honestly don’t know. I haven’t left this room for a while. Do you think something’s wrong?”
“Everything is wrong,” Lori sighs, closing her eyes and sinking into my embrace. We stand in silence, listening to the machines.
“How are you holding up?” I ask her.
“Like complete fucking shit. Thanks for asking, but I’m not ready to drown myself yet. I have kids.”
I tilt my chin to the bed. “Come over here. I need to tell you something.”
Lori nods, and we sit down on a cot next to Luke.
“Cecilia has been here,” I explain. “In the medical unit.”
“Why are we whispering?” Lori whispers back. “There’s no one conscious in here.”
“Did you fucking hear me?” I argue.
“Yes, I just don’t know why you’re whispering.”
She gives me a slow smile, and I can’t help but give one back. Lori turns so she can reach her hand inside the plastic that surrounds Luke, and she wraps her fingers with his. For a moment, I wonder if I see him curl his grip around hers, and fuck, I hope that is true.
“I’m being serious,” I continue. “The nurse told me she’s been in here.”
Lori turns back to me. “I don’t know why that surprises you. If I were her, I would look for you. Especially since Sam and Caleb have been gone days longer than expected. She’s going to want to talk to you at some point.”
“I thought they were keeping her… I don’t know… arrested,” I say.
Lori shakes her head. “It’s more like a drunk tank when someone has an outburst like that. When they calm down, they let them out.”
I cluck my tongue. “Right, but I don’t want her around my baby.” We both look over at Morgan, who rolls over to one side of her box, placing a small hand on the plastic wall of her cage.
“Wouldn’t you want to see your husband’s baby?” Lori trails off.
I bristle at her use of the word husband. “Yes, I… I suppose I would.”
“I’m just saying,” Lori exhales, letting her eyes close in thought. “It may not be an ill-intended visit.” She stands up, still holding Luke’s hand, and looks over his numbers, tightening her jaw. They aren’t great, but it’s somewhat better. He isn’t dead, and that’s a miracle.
“She wants me gone.” I bite out.
“And what of it? You tell her you aren’t going anywhere, and the conversation is over. What’s she going to do, push you overboard?”
My eyes grow wide, and I smack her on the thigh.
“I shouldn’t have said that. Forget that part.” Lori waves her free hand at me. “How about everything is going to be all right?”
I roll my eyes. “That phrase is allowed now?”
Lori shrugs and looks back at Luke. There’s a flush in his cheeks again, and I’m hopeful despite my visions.
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
