“I don’t have a date.” I answered the easiest question. “But I do have a commitment to put in my new sink and toilet in the master bath. And my bathtub guy is coming on Saturday to deliver my new tub, so I’ll be on caulking and sealing detail, too.”
“You’re just a wild woman, aren’t you?” Emma sounded faintly disappointed. “But okay, let me know. And sorry for hijacking your call—did you need something specific?”
“Actually, yes.” I cleared my throat. “I’m at the hospital in Tampa, and I thought as long I’m here, I might poke my head in to see Noah. If you wouldn’t mind telling me where he is.” I phrased my request delicately so that I didn’t outright lie to Emma. If she assumed I’d come to the hospital for one of my own patients, then that was just a lucky break for me.
“Oh, Alison, that’s so sweet of you. Sure, he’s still in ICU. Fifth floor. Do you need me to call someone to make sure you can get in? They’re keeping him pretty private up there, just family and a few friends his parents put on a list.”
“I think I should be okay with my hospital badge, thanks. If I run into a problem, I’ll text you.”
“That’s right, I forgot you’ve got privileges there. Sorry, I’m a little distracted. But thank you so much for thinking of Noah. I really believe having positive energy around him can only help—and he always liked you. When you see him, tell him Emma says he better get his ass off that bed before I get back there to see him again.”
I smiled. “I’ll be happy to pass on the message.”
“Thanks. And text me after you’ve seen him if you don’t mind. I’m planning to drive up on Friday unless something changes before then.”
“Will do, Emma. Thanks.”
I climbed out of the car and hurried through the gathering twilight toward the main entrance. Moving with easy confidence through the lobby and onto the elevator, I tried not to feel like an imposter, as though I was there under false pretenses. I had every right to be in the hospital, even if I didn’t technically have any patients admitted at the moment.
On the fifth floor, I followed signs toward the ICU, stepping through the silently opening doors into the hushed atmosphere of the unit. The nurse at the main desk flickered a glance up at me as I approached.
“May I help you?”
“Hello.” I kept my voice low. “I’m Dr. Wakely. I wanted to see Noah Spencer.”
Her face didn’t change, but she pivoted slightly to tap onto a computer keyboard. “I don’t see your name on the family’s list or on Dr. Lawrence’s or Dr. Taleb’s. Are you here to consult? I can call Dr. Lawrence if you’d like.”
I shook my head. “I’m not here in an official capacity. I’m a friend, and I thought I’d stop by since I was in the area.”
She frowned. “Well, I don’t know what to tell you, but—oh, here’s Mrs. Spencer. Let me check with her.”
Before I could stop her, the nurse lifted her hand and waved down the woman who’d just come through the doors behind me. She came to stand next to me, and I tried not to stare. She was Noah’s mother, and this was not at all the way I wanted to meet her.
“Hello, Lissie, are you on the night shift this week?”
The nurse smiled, her face relaxing into much friendlier lines. “Yes, it’s my turn. How are you doing this evening? I hope you were able to get some rest today.”
“Oh, I laid down for a bit after I dropped my husband at the airport. He hated to leave, you know, but we’ve been here for almost two weeks. He’ll be back. And by the time he is, our boy will be awake again. I just know it.”
The nurse’s smile didn’t waver, but neither did she agree. I understood; anyone who worked on this unit knew better than to encourage the hopes of family members. There were happy outcomes and sad ones, but it was better for everyone involved to embrace reality.
“Mrs. Spencer, this is Doctor—” She glanced at me again, frowning at my badge.
“Dr. Wakely,” I supplied, turning slightly. “Hello, Mrs. Spencer. I’m a-a friend of your son’s. I met him a few years ago when I worked at St. Agnes in Harper Springs. I was so sorry to hear about him being in the hospital. Our friend Emma’s been keeping me informed on everything, but I thought I’d stop by to see him tonight, since I was here.”
The older woman blinked at me silently for a few seconds. Her forehead drew together. “I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”
“Dr. Wakely. I’m sorry, Alison Wakely.”
Mrs. Spencer tilted her head. “Did you take care of our Angela when she was sick?”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry I never met her. I’ve heard what a lovely woman she was. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” She hesitated again and then nodded. “I guess it’s okay for you to see Noah. No one else is here just now—some of his friends from the team came to visit earlier, but it’s usually just me this time of day.” She sighed. “I think I’ll just sit out here while you’re there. I have messages I need to answer anyway.”
“I really appreciate it, Mrs. Spencer.”
The nurse directed me to Noah’s room. “Keep it short, please. No more than ten minutes.”
