Page 93 of Puck Drop
A couple of nurses almost run into me as soon as I walk out into the hallway. They both smile and giggle before apologizing. I smile back although, I’m not really feeling particularly flirty.
The walk to the elevators is long and annoying, with the soles of my shoes squeaking on the white floor of the hospital. When I finally make it, I press on the button that takes me to the lower floor. It feels like forever until the doors open and I am on my way to the destination.
“Eleventh floor,” I say to myself as I push on the respective button.
It doesn’t take long to get there, but I still don’t know why I’m going or what I should expect.
“Maybe it’s her boyfriend,” I mumble, although, I have no idea if Aunt Kathy has a boyfriend, or why she would even ask me to talk to him at all.
All in all, I am more confused than ever by the time I stop in front of the door to the conference room she directed me to. It looks plain, nothing special about it. From what I can tell from the tag on it, this room is usually used by family members of the patients who stay in this hospital.
For a split second, I wonder if I should just barge in. Since I have no idea what’s waiting for me on the other side, I think that knocking first is a better option. There’s this weird feeling in my stomach, like nothing good is about to come out of whatever this is.
I raise my hand and knock before I can give myself more time to change my mind.
“Come in,” a man’s voice calls out. It sounds gruff and angry at the world.
Pressing on the handle, I push the door open and look inside. Then, I promptly proceed to freeze only one step inside of the doorway.
I clear my throat a few times, unsure of how to react.
“Mr. Brown,” I say. “I did not expect to find you in here.”
He eyes me up and down, taking in my T-shirt and jeans that have seen better days, along with the athletic shoes on my feet that I’ve had forever.
“I didn’t expect to ever meet with you in here either,” he admits.
That’s when I realize that he is dressed fairly casual as well. Our attires are similar, apart from him wearing a sports coat over a black T-shirt.
“Sebastian Roonie’s aunt sent me here,” I tell him. “She said I needed to come here…”
“I asked for her help with seeing you,” he cuts me off.
My eyes widen in surprise. “Why?”
He pulls a chair out and takes a seat before motioning for me to do the same. I would feel weird if I was rude to the man despite knowing how much he dislikes me, so I sit across the table from him.
“Two reasons,” he says. “Number one is you wanting to break up with my daughter.”
Panic takes over so fast, I swear I see spots.
“Number two is you wanting to quit playing hockey.”
My mouth goes dry.
“Both of them are very serious allegations, and I am here to get your head out of your ass, for lack of more professional terms.”
I am speechless.
THIRTY
Elizabeth
My father sentme a message to come to the hospital. I rushed here like the world was ending, scared of what might have happened to him. I tried asking if he’d been in an accident.
“Just get here as soon as possible,” he barked at me, no other explanation.
So, here I am now, running across the lobby and toward the receptionist’s desk who watches my approach with curiosity.
