Page 223 of Champagne Nights

“Surgery?” Addison looked at me as we stepped into the elevator.

“It must have been pretty bad,” I spoke as the doors closed.

We found the waiting room and saw my mother sitting in a chair, looking out the window.

“Mom,” Addison spoke as she ran over and gave her a hug.

“How’s Dad?” I asked.

He’s in surgery right now. The doctor said if he waited, he would most likely have another heart attack.

“What happened?” I asked.

She stared at me with a stern look on her face.

“He got up to use the bathroom and collapsed on the floor,” she spoke. “What have you done?” she asked as her eyes stared into mine, and I could see the hatred in them.

“Mom, stop. Now isn’t the time,” Addison said.

“It’s because of that deaf woman. Isn’t it?”

“No. I wasn’t happy with Kirsten and hadn’t been in a long time.” I tucked my hands in my pants pockets.

“Bullshit, Henry.”

“Mom. You need to?—”

“Shut up, Addison. This is between your brother and me,” my mother spat.

“Do not talk to her like that!” I spoke through gritted teeth. “We can discuss this later. Right now, this is about Dad, not me.”

She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes as she glared at me.

“We always took pride in the fact that you never disappointed us, Henry. I can no longer say that. I’m going to get some coffee.”

“Mom, I can?—”

“No, Addison. I’ll go myself.”

I turned and faced the window as I stared at the outside. I honestly didn’t know what to think about what my mother had just said to me.

“Obviously, that little bitch ran to them last night,” Addison spoke as she placed her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t let what Mom said upset you. You know she’s just worried about Dad.”

“I think in some subtle way she’s blaming me for his heart attack.”

“God, Henry. No. She is not blaming you.”

My mother walked back into the waiting room with a cup of coffee in her hand and took a seat. Addison sat down next to her, and I took the seat across from her. She wouldn’t even look at me, so I got up, went out into the hallway, and leaned against the wall with my hands tucked tightly into my pockets. Being in this hospital brought back so many memories of Abigail.

It had been four hours, and we still hadn’t heard anything. I desperately needed coffee, so Addison and I walked down to the coffee bar that was situated off the lobby. As I was paying for our coffee, I heard someone say my name.

“Henry?”

Turning around, I saw Ellie standing there.

“Ellie? What are you doing here?” I signed as I noticed her staring at Addison.

“I’m visiting a friend of mine who just had a baby.”

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