"You're a lucky son of a bitch. I have to thank Isabel, and surely those hair ties we'll all take with us. Weister, stay with me, don't close your eyes!"
I try, but I'm too tired.
* I need two blood units, and we need to get him to the hospital right now! *
I don't feel anything anymore. Silence.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Isabel
Not hearing from Nate wears me out.
I try to focus all my energy on fundraising. I don’t want to think about the bad feeling in my stomach. Soldiers' wives have all my respect. To date, two months have passed. They’ve been the longest months of my life. Every day, I miss Nate more. This morning, I woke up shaking. I don't know if I had a nightmare or was just cold, but I've had a weird feeling ever since. I can’t eat anything due to nerves.
Tonight I’ll be sponsoring the fundraiser for the Woman’s Anti Violence Center. The number of cases this year is insane.
I'm about to take the stage to give a speech for a fundraiser for the association and I'm nervous. Cindy has turned out to be a fantastic partner as well as friend.
I look at the guests and take a deep breath. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your presence here tonight. Every woman must feel safe, in her home, at work, or on the street. Every day, girls, mothers, and wives are abused by those who should have protected them. We created this association to listen to women and help them not be afraid. Because those who beat us do not love us, and above all, it’s not our fault if this happens. We’re here tonight, to inaugurate…”
The room's doors open violently, attracting everyone's attention, and I see two men in uniforms enter. I start to feel jelly legs as they approach the stage. Cindy joins me.
"Mrs. Weister, sorry for the interruption. Could you follow us?"
"Is Nathan okay?" I ask, trying to be rational and breathe. I hear Cindy apologizing in the distance, continuing the speech as we leave the room for all to see.
"Captain Weister has been transferred to Switzerland, to Memorial Care. We’re here to accompany you there, ma'am."
"Oh my God. Is Nathan okay?" I ask the two officers as I send my guard to get my jacket and bag.
"He's still alive, yes, madam."
He's still alive...
Tears flow as we’re on our way to Switzerland. They give me no more information, and I’m terrified.
Arriving at the hospital, I run to room 378, where I see Nathan helpless on the bed.
"Honey, I'm here. Everything will be fine. I'm here,” I say, cuddling him. “What happened? How is he?" I ask the nurses who are in the room. No one answers.
I hear someone calling my name. "Isabel? Isabel Barlow?"
"Christian? You’re here?" Christian and I met a lifetime ago during the Uni.
"Hi, gorgeous. Yes, it's my department. I'm a surgeon now. Why are you here?"
"My husband, he was brought here, and nobody wants to tell me anything."
"Show me the folder,” he says, taking it from my hands. "He underwent emergency surgery upon arrival for fragments in his back ... from the briefcase. It looks stable even though they left a fragment. He's just sedated. Don't worry."
I hug him. "Thanks, even if I'm not very calm."
"We're the best, and he's in good hands. Isabel, he's already awake." He points to the room, and I see Nathan looking at us. I leave him and run to Nathan.
"Hey, how are you feeling?"
"What are you doing here?" he asks, angry. The machines start making strange noises.
