“Yes, we are.” Nick glanced at Collins. “We don’t want to tire you out.”
“I’m okay,” Nicoletta said. “My son, the president, came to see me. Best medicine.” Her gaze took in Sam. “Both of you. Thank you.”
Sam didn’t want to like this version of the woman who’d caused Nick so much pain, but it felt petty not to nod and smile, so she did both while feeling confused about whether this version could be trusted. Her dad used to say that people didn’t change, they just went through the motions to make others think they had.
But this didn’t feel like that…
Nicoletta dozed off for a few minutes and then seemed to force herself awake so she wouldn’t miss out on the time with Nick.
“I have to go soon,” he said. “I’m leaving for Greenland tonight.”
“I read about the NATO meeting,” Collins said.
Nick nodded. “Will you keep us posted on how she’s doing?”
“I will.”
“I hope you feel much better soon, Mom,” Nick said.
“Me, too. This is no fun.”
Nick released Sam’s hand so he could lean over the bed to kiss her forehead.
“Good son,” she whispered. “Better than I deserve.”
“Take care and be well.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Collins said. “I’ll be right back, sweetheart.”
“Nick…”
He turned back to her.
“Thank you for coming.”
Nodding, he said, “Of course.”
“You, too, Sam.”
“Feel better.”
Nick put his hand on Sam’s lower back to guide her from the room.
“It means so much to her that you came,” Collins said.
“What are the doctors saying?” Nick asked when they were in the hallway. Every nurse, doctor and visitor in the unit stared at them in disbelief that the president and first lady were there.
“Could still go either way, but I have to think your visit will turn out to be the best medicine.”
“Let me give you my number so you have it,” Nick said, reciting the number for the BlackBerry, which Collins punched into his phone. “Keep me posted?”
“I will. Thank you again for coming.”
Nick shook his hand. “Thank you for taking such good care of her.”
“I love her,” Collins said somewhat helplessly.
“Take care of yourself, too.” Regardless of his questionable judgment in women, he seemed like a decent man, and Sam appreciated whatever magic he’d performed to soften Nicoletta’s sharp edges.
