“Check for Rex Fontenot, Beau Fontenot, and Stella Fontenot.” He flashed his ID and motioned for his mom and brother to do the same.
Once confirmed, the receptionist nodded. “Stay right here and someone will escort you to her room shortly.”
A uniformed man with a rigid gait approached. “This way.”
He led them down the hall and to the elevator, to the third floor.
Rex lagged several paces behind his family. He hated hospitals. Memories of his father inundated him. Those hours in the waiting room, praying for a miracle. The distant beeps of machines and idle chatter of the nurses working the desk. The doctor’s expression when he walked around the corner and informed them that their father couldn’t be saved. His mom’s brave face in front of her kids, then her hidden wails and sobs when she thought no one could hear.
He glanced at Beau, then at his mom. Neither appeared agitated by their location, only by the circumstances which placed them there. As they neared Lacey’s room, obvious by the guard outside her door, Rex shoved aside his personal feelings.
Lacey needed her family.
He needed Monica, had to see her and know she’d be okay.
Family first.
His mind raced, and he struggled to maintain the composure he’d been taught.
Tom, Lacey’s husband, stepped from the room. Exhaustion dimmed his eyes, and he’d aged five years in the five days since Rex had last seen him. One shirttail was untucked, and his sleeves were rolled to his forearms. “Thank you for coming so fast.”
Stella wrapped her arms around the man she considered her son-in-law. “That’s what family is for. How is she?”
“She’s sleeping now.” Tom removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “The x-rays didn’t show any fractures, and they said it’s a bad sprain. However, she’s in shock and they want to keep her for observation.”
“That’s a relief.” Beau craned his neck. “Can we see her?”
“They’ll only allow two people in at a time.” Tom’s hesitation to leave the doorway implied his reluctance to give up his spot as one of the two.
Rex couldn’t blame him. “You go in with him first, Mom. I’m going to check on the injured agent. I heard it’s someone I know.”
He deserved an Academy Award for the casualness with which he spit out that statement. Maybe, eventually, he’d tell his family about Monica, but not today. Not when his emotions were raw and fear roared at him, threatening to take his hard-won composure.
Beau’s forehead creased, a hint of suspicious roused in his eyes, but he didn’t say anything until their Mom and Tom went into Lacey’s room. “Are you okay?”
“All things considered, yes.” He shook his shoulders, deflected from his true problem. “I hate hospitals.”
“Can’t say I love them.” Beau leaned against the wall with his thumb hooked in a beltloop. “This is the first I’ve been in one since Dad died. I hadn’t really thought about it until now.”
“Will you do me a favor?”
“Sure.” Beau agreed but eyed him with curiosity.
“Keep a close eye on Mom, please. I’m sure this can’t be easy for her.”
“Of course, but you’ll be here, too.”
“I know, but…” Rex leaned back on his heels. “I might have to work while here.”
“Do you ever take off?”
“I’m here now, aren’t I?” He kept the bite from his tone—he wasn’t in the mood for a lecture. This wasn’t the time for that battle.
“Yes, you are.” Beau smiled, signaling he wouldn’t start an argument. “Do what you have to do. I’ll make sure Mom’s okay.”
“Thanks. I shouldn’t be gone too long for now.” Heart racing, he turned and followed the path back downstairs to the reception area. A few more minutes and he’d see her.
He had to show his ID again for the nurse to release Monica’s information. She scrutinized her computer monitor before finally glancing up and telling him which room she was in. No guard came to escort him, and he walked to the ICU alone.
