“May I go in?” I asked the nurse.
“Are you immediate family?”
“I’m her granddaughter.”
The nurse nodded. “Visiting hours end at seven. Only one person is allowed in the room at a time.”
“Thank you.”
Before I could turn back to Mom, Ryder stepped off the elevator. My heart did a funny little flipping thing. His sympathetic expression tightened my chest.
As he approached, Mom’s face brightened. “Who’s this?”
Oh God. I prayed she didn’t embarrass me. “This is Ryder,” I answered.
“Nice to meet you.” He stuck out his hand, but his shoulders were stiff and his smile didn’t seem genuine.
“Beth,” Mom said as she shook his hand, her fingers lingering a second too long.
I pulled Ryder to the side and Mom frowned. She plopped into a chair and sipped from a water bottle that I’m sure contained no actual water.
“They are only letting family in, so you can leave if you want.”
“I’ll stay,” he answered without hesitation.
“But it’s only one visitor at a time, which means when I’m in there, you’ll be stuck out here. With her.”
“I don’t mind. I’ll wait for you.”
“You sure?”
“Absolutely.” He gave me a peck on the forehead. “Go ahead.”
I squeezed his hand in thanks, then slipped into Grandma’s room.
My heart sank. Her pale skin was slack on her expressionless face. Machines beeped around her. Tubing ran from her arms. A cannula snaked under her nose and around her ears, pumping much-needed oxygen into her frail body.
“Grandma,” I whispered, and rushed to the bedside. I slid my hand in hers but she didn’t move.
With my palm, I brushed away tears and clamped my eyes shut. The whir of machinery made my head spin.
“You’re going to be all right,” I said over and over, wanting my words to be true.
The door opened and the nurse from the desk slipped inside.
“She’s sleeping, but she’s stable.” She patted my back as she pulled a chart from the bedside. She checked the equipment, switched the IV bag, then jotted information onto the forms.
“Mom said it was a heart attack.”
“Yes. The doctor will be back during morning rounds, but she’s doing quite well. I think she will be moved from ICU tomorrow, and, if all is well, she will be released in another day or two. There will be some recovery time, but the good news is, she will recover.”
She’d be okay. Weight lifted from my shoulders as gratitude replaced my fear.
I ran my fingers over the back of her hand, careful not to disturb the IV, and smiled at the nurse. “Thank you.”
She nodded and left the room. I sat with Grandma a moment longer, drying the tears from my face, then stepped out to give Ryder an update.
He sat in the waiting room, reclined as far away as possible from Mom.
She leaned forward, legs crossed, and rambled.
The way she leered at him made my stomach twist.
He straightened when he noticed me. “Everything okay?”
I sat next to him. “She’s going to be fine.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Can I get you anything?” he asked as he wrapped his hand around mine.
Mom scoffed behind him.
Ryder and I turned.
She swigged from her bottle but didn’t say a word.
“I’m okay, thank you.”
“Brinley?” The nurse poked her head into the waiting room. “Your grandma is awake and asking for you.”
I bolted up. “Be right back.”
“Run to Grandma, little princess,” Mom muttered.
I paused and glanced over my shoulder.
Ryder glared in Mom’s direction, then said, “I’m getting some coffee. I’ll be in the cafeteria if you need me.” He planted a kiss on my head then strode to the elevator.
Mom’s water bottle was almost empty and it was only a matter of time until things got even uglier.
—
Grandma was propped upright when I walked in. Her eyes were shut but she cracked them open as I approached her bedside.
“Hi, Grandma.”
“Brinley. How are you, sweetie?”
“You’re the one in the hospital.” I smiled but couldn’t stop the tears from clouding my vision. “I should be asking you that question.”
“Don’t worry about me. I will be out of here before you know it.” Her lips bowed down slightly. “Is your mom here?”
“Yeah.”
“And her condition?”
“Two sheets to the wind.”
She shook her head. “She’s gotten worse since you’ve been away at school. I’m sorry you have to see her like this.”
“Don’t apologize for her. Mom makes her own decisions. It’s not your fault. You just concentrate on getting better.”