“I went to pick you up. Weren’t you doing your interview?”
“I told you I wasn’t going to do it.” She lowered her voice.
“What did you have to lose? Henry isn’t even out yet.” He made as if to touch her and then let his hand fall away.
Madison angled her body to block Dante’s view of her dad. “Yeah, but I was with him before he went back.”
“Your parents could have been with him for you.”
“They were late and didn’t get to see him before he went back.” She looked over her shoulder at her dad still snoring.
“You can’t be everything for them.”
She crossed her arms under her breasts. “I’m not going to be nothing either.”
“Excuse me. You’re here for Mr. Bryant?”
“Yes. Is he out?”
“The doctor wanted to speak with you all. I can show you to the room.”
Madison got her dad up and Dante inserted himself and grabbed her bag.
“If you all will follow me, I’ll show you where you can wait.”
“Is Henry not out yet?”
“The doctor will be with you in a minute.” The door clicked closed behind the nurse.
Before Madison could voice her worries, the door opened and the doctor came in with a priest and another person.
“I’m Doctor Benjamin. You are Mr. Bryant’s family?” He looked between them all.
“I’m Henry’s father. This is his sister and her boyfriend.”
“Ok.”
“I can leave.” Dante spoke up. “I’m just here to support Madison.”
“Right. No, stay. She will need it.” He looked back at Madison’s father. “I’m sorry to have to tell you that Henry didn’t make it through the surgery.”
“What?” Madison looked between her father and the doctor.
“No.” Her father slid down into the chair Dante had pushed behind him.
“What happened? Can we get him some water please?”
“Sure, I’ll be right back,” said the woman next to the doctor and left.
“There was a complication. He went into cardiac arrest, and we couldn’t save him.”
“No.” Madison’s emotions bubbled to the surface and rushed like waves. Henry was gone. What did that mean for her father? How would he survive without his only son? She watched her dad crumple up in the chair with the realization that his only son was dead.
Madison tried to process what was happening, but there was a rushing sound in her ears and she looked between her dad and Dante and then things went blank.
****
She awoke to Dante sitting next to her. She tried to sit up. “What are you doing here?”
