Page 342 of The Maxwell Brothers
"Liz, tell me the address."
“Umm, I don’t know it. But any cab will know. Or if you take an Uber, put in the name of the hospital. There’s only one in the area.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Declan… thanks. This means so much to me.” I heard her sniffle. My woman was crying and needed me.
“I’ll be right there, babe.”
I was surprised that there were any Uber cars in this little town. I got one in ten minutes, and the drive took another five. I used the time to double-check with my assistant that she’d managed to book me a hotel.
“Boss, when have I ever not come through?” Greta asked.
“It was short notice. Thank you, Greta.”
“I’ve booked you a room at the best B&B in town. I’ll send you all the details and make sure they’ve got everything they need and that someone will wait for you with the key.”
“Thanks. You don’t know how much I appreciate this.”
“And, boss? I’m extra proud of you today. Rumor has it that Ashburn is… burning up. Pun intended.”
“Serves him right. By the way, clear my schedule for tomorrow, please.”
“I already started. Consider it done.”
“Thanks. I gotta go.”
The car stopped in front of the smallest hospital I’d ever been in.
It only had two floors. Liz was on the first one. I assumed the three people behind her were her family. There was no one else around—patients, nurses, or doctors. I walked straight to her. Her eyes were red, as if she’d cried a lot. I hugged her, and she put both hands behind my neck, resting her head on my chest. She was shaking.
"I'm here, babe. I'm here with you," I said.
"Thanks so much for coming, I can’t believe you’re here," she whispered. Taking a step back, she looked behind her and said, "Declan, meet Mom and Dad, and this is Mark, my brother-in-law."
I shook their hands.
"Declan, it's nice of you to be here, son," her dad said. “I’m Jake.”
Her mom gave me a watery smile. “And I’m Danielle.”
"Is there anything I can do?” I asked. “Does anyone need anything to eat or drink? Do you want me to fly someone in from Chicago to consult?"
"No, the doctors here are just fine," her mom said, "but thank you for the offer. We’re waiting for them to let us see Amy and Rose. Rose is staying here with her daughter."
The three of them sat down. I looked at Liz, who seemed rooted to the spot. “Want to take a walk?”
She shook her head. "No, no, I want to stay here. I want to hear the news as soon as there is some."
"We’ll wait here." We went to the bench next to where her family was sitting.
"How long are you staying?" she asked.
"As long as it takes, Liz."
"Thanks." She stared into space as we sat down. I held her right hand tightly in mine. I felt the weight of her anguish, and I knew there was nothing I could do to alleviate it. All I could do was be here for her. If something like this happened to anyone in my family, I'd be in the exact same state.
She turned to me abruptly. "How did it go today with Malcolm? I didn't even ask."
