More typing. “Is a relative on the way, do you know?”
“Yes, his sisters, but can you just tell me—”
“I’m sorry.” The woman gave her a compassionate smile. “I know you must be terribly worried, but it’s hospital policy to only divulge—”
“Phyllis,” Gram exclaimed as she rushed up with Emma. “Thank heavens. Maybe you can help us.”
The woman behind the desk beamed. “Louise. How lovely to see you.”
Gram set her hand on Maddy’s back. “This is my granddaughter, Maddy. She’s awfully worried about her boyfriend who was just brought in. Can you tell us anything? Anything at all?”
A conflicted look washed over Phyllis’s face. She glanced covertly around the desk, then lowered her voice. “Well... I suppose I can tell you that he’s in stable condition. I’m afraid that’s all I can say until his family arrives.”
“Can I see him?” Maddy asked.
“Let me check, dear. Why don’t you have a seat in the waiting room?” The woman disappeared through swinging doors.
Maddy and the others made their way to the far corner. Nora had come in, and they updated her.
On the other side of the room a mother paced with a wailing baby. Nearby a little boy lay sleeping in his dad’s lap, his face flushed. Everyone seemed to be waiting on news of a friend or loved one, like they were.
Maddy checked the time on her phone. It seemed to be taking Phyllis forever, though probably only a couple minutes had passed.
The exterior doors whooshed open, and Tara rushed into the room. She was wearing a pale blue slicker over yoga pants, no makeup, her short brown hair flat on one side.
Maddy met her at the desk. “Tara.”
“Maddy!” The woman embraced her. “Have you heard anything?”
“They won’t tell me much. Only that he’s alive and stable. What did they tell you on the phone?”
“Only that he was unconscious and undergoing tests. He was out in the storm and got hit in the head, apparently.”
Maddy drew back, giving Tara a pained look. “I’m so sorry. He went out looking for my sister. Nora came back, but he never did. We called 911, but they never got back to us, and I didn’t have any way of reaching you.”
Tara squeezed her arm. “He’s in good hands now.”
The others had joined them, and Maddy made quick introductions. She was just finishing when Phyllis returned.
“This is Tara,” Maddy said. “Connor’s sister. Can we go back and see him now?”
“The doctor’s in his room right now and would like to speak to a relative. I can walk you back,” she said to Tara. Then she addressed Maddy. “You’ll need to wait a bit, dear.”
Tara squeezed Maddy’s hand. “I’ll be back with an update. Hang in there and please pray!”
And then she was gone. Maddy wanted to cry. Her eyes burned and her throat ached. But at least Tara was going to him now. He wouldn’t be alone anymore, and they’d tell her what was going on.
“Come on, honey.” Gram took her arm. “Let’s go sit down. It shouldn’t be long now.”
It seemed an eternity later when Tara came back through the doors. Her face was splotchy and her eyes were bloodshot.
Maddy found herself beside the woman without any memory of getting up or walking over. She set her hand on Tara’s arm. “What’s going on? Is he awake?”
Tara shook her head, swiping a finger under her eye. “He’s still unconscious. He definitely has a concussion, and they’re concerned, since he hasn’t woken up yet.”
Maddy’s lungs wouldn’t fill. Her heart felt as though it might explode from her chest. “Is he—is he in a coma then?”
“The doctor didn’t use that word. He’s had an x-ray and an MRI, but the results haven’t come back yet.” Tara covered her trembling lips as her eyes watered. “He just looks so pale and lifeless, lying there.”
