Page 53 of Stand By You
“How’s that old man doing?” Nathan asked.
“Married and living in Louisiana,” Nick said.
“Wonders never cease,” Nathan said. “This is my bride, Abby.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Nick said, nodding to her.
“Nice to meet you,” Abby said. “How’s our boy?”
Geneva stiffened beside Jillian at Abby’s words. The woman had never referred to Travis that way before, but maybe she felt she had a right now that she was married to his father.
“He’s having a few tests run,” Jillian explained. “We’ll be able to see him as soon as they finish.”
“Let’s go check on that progress,” Nathan said. “Don’t go away.”
The couple went to the nurses’ stand. While they were gone, Geneva stood and turned to Nick and Jillian. “Maybe I should leave?”
“No. You heard Nathan, he wants everyone to stay here,” Jillian said.
“I don’t belong,” Geneva said.
“You are family, so you do,” Jillian said finding she meant it. When had her feelings toward Geneva shifted? Was it when Travis said he remembered the woman that was his estranged mother? She had to admit it made her heart melt at his recollection. Or was it when Abby tried to show her position as the new wife just now? Jillian had always liked her, but she thought that was cruel under the circumstances.
The double doors opened, and a nurse pushed a yawning Travis in a wheelchair into the waiting area. “McGinty family?” the nurse called.
They all rushed forward to be updated on him. The nurse was surprised to see so many eager faces.
“Dad!” Travis called. “Look at me, I get to ride in the wheelchair.”
“I see that,” Nathan said, placing a hand on Travis’ head and ruffling his hair. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do but first let me talk with the nurse.”
“We’re admitting him and moving him upstairs for observation tonight. The attending doctor feels it’s wise under the circumstances, and he’s ordered more testing,” the nurse explained.
“Is that necessary?” Nathan asked.
The nurse stepped from behind the wheelchair and moved closer to him, speaking softly. “Your son has no recollection of anything that happened to him possibly because of the drug he was given. We are trying to determine if he is suffering from any other memory loss or not. All he wants to talk about is his trip to the zoo. Maybe because that’s the last thing he remembers.”
Nathan nodded. “I see. But otherwise, he’s fine?”
“Physically, yes,” the nurse replied.
“Of course, do admit him,” Nathan consented. “I’m glad to know he was unharmed otherwise.”
“There was no sign ofanyphysical abuse if that is what you are asking.” The nurse raised her eyebrows and Jillian nodded with her understanding. No sign of molestation and she held back her tears of relief.
“I’d hope not since we know who was behind his abduction.” Nathan frowned and glanced over at Geneva.
“He’s hungry since he hadn’t eaten yet today, so we’ve ordered him a tray to be delivered to his room.” She looked at Geneva and asked, “You said no special diet, right, ma’am?”
“That’s right,” Geneva said, giving her son a broad smile.
The nurse stepped back behind the wheelchair. “If you will follow me, we’ll get him settled in.”
They all followed the nurse to the bank of elevators and when the doors opened, she rolled Travis inside. Jillian found the ride up uncomfortably silent, and she saw it was a mutual consensus on the other’s faces. When the doors opened, Geneva bolted off and stood to the side waiting for everyone else to disembark.
Deciding to give the family a moment alone, Jillian allowed everyone else to go to the room ahead of her and Nick. But Travis noticed and he looked around at her, holding out his hand. “Coming, Jilly?”
“Sure,” she said and hurried the best she could to catch up to him and to take his hand.
