Page 55 of Rumors in Bayberry
“Oh, my.Will you be okay?”Helen sounded genuinely worried.
“It’s not me.It’s my boyfriend.”It wasn’t until the words had crossed her lips that she realized she wanted him to be her boyfriend.She’d gone this far, she might as well go the rest of the way.“There’s been a fire.My home burned down, and he was inside.They are rushing him to the hospital.”
“Oh, my.Well, don’t worry about the flight tomorrow or the assignment.I’ll put someone else on the story.Take care of yourself and your guy.I hope he’s all right.”
Right then they turned into the emergency department.It was time to run.“We’re here.I have to go.”
As she stuffed the phone into her purse, she wasn’t even sure if she’d said goodbye.Quite honestly, she wasn’t sure what she’d said.But none of that mattered now.
When Wesley pulled to a stop in front of the double-doors, she jumped out and ran inside.She ran up to the registration desk.Thankfully, there was no one in line.
“Just a moment,” the woman on the other side of the glass window calmly said as she typed something into the computer.She looked up.“How can I help you?”
“Reed Stanton was just brought in by ambulance.I need to see him.”
The woman very calmly asked, “Are you a relative?”
“I’m his girlfriend.”She noticed that each time she used the title, it rolled off her tongue easier.She would revisit that thought later—much later.
The woman eyed her up for a moment.Was it possible she could see that Sadie had given her a little white lie?Was she that transparent?
The woman turned to the computer monitor and started to type into it.Then she turned back to Sadie.“You’ll have to have a seat.Someone will be out to see you.”
“But is he all right?He was coughing a lot at the scene.”
“I don’t know about that.But I’ll let them know you’re here.”
Sadie turned away from the window, but not willing to give up just yet, she pivoted back around.“Can’t I just go sit with him?You know, let him know I’m here for him.”
Sympathy shone in the woman’s eyes.“He has to be examined and have tests run.It’ll be a while until you can go back.”She gestured behind Sadie.“The waiting area is over there.”
“Okay.”Sadie’s shoulders drooped as she turned around.
Just then one of the doors to the examination area opened.For a split second, she considered running for it.Because once those doors closed, they locked.
She thought about them trying to work on Reed and her getting in the way.She didn’t want to do anything to delay his treatment.She continued walking to the waiting area.
There were about a dozen other people waiting.She wondered if they were waiting to be seen for an ailment or perhaps they were waiting to see a loved one.Either way, she felt as though she were the only one who was silently freaking out.
She paced back and forth.She was filled with pent-up energy.And then she noticed people glancing her way.Oh no.She was bothering them.
She found a seat and sat down.She stared up at the television on the wall that had been muted.It wasn’t helping to distract her.Still, she sat there, unmoving.Her eyes stared blindly at the screen as her mind replayed the horrific events of the evening.
Her phone was constantly ringing.The fire was the biggest news to happen in Bayberry in years.The whole town was abuzz.
When she noticed her mother was calling, she immediately answered.“Hey Mom, how’s Dad doing?”
“He’s pretty worked up.I had the paramedics look at him at the fire.His blood pressure is understandably elevated.They wanted to take him to the hospital but he refused.I just got him home.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“No.But at least he’s sitting down and staring at the television.He’s totally devastated.”
“And you’ll keep a close eye on him?”
She could imagine her mother nodding.“I will.How’s Reed?I heard he was in the fire.”
“He rescued my cat.I haven’t been able to see him yet.”
