Page 72 of Sullivan

He left, and I opened the bag. It held a bowl of steaming soup and a hearty sandwich. I frowned, not feeling very hungry. But I dipped the spoon into the soup, the broth flavorful and rich. I did feel better once I had eaten, and I put the sandwich aside for later. A while later, I opened the door and peered out, not surprised to see Davey in the waiting area.

“It’s getting late and I’m not leaving. You can go.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

I watched Lynn for a while, then dug into my carry-on I had brought up with me. I found my small tube of hand cream and rubbed some into her hands as I talked to her more. I hummed a little, some of her favorite songs. I didn’t have a great voice, but I could carry a tune. She sang like a nightingale and loved music, so I hoped my attempt reached her somehow. I talked some more, the sky outside the window dark, the ward growing silent as people left and patients settled for the night.

There was no doubt she had been moved into a private room. Sully or his cousins must have arranged that, as well as the doctor. The space was nice, the chair beside the bed certainly an upgrade from the normal hard plastic ones you usually sat in to visit someone. There was a TV, which I didn’t turn on, and a small washroom with a shower. It still had the hospital smell I hated and the ugly linoleum floors.

The door opened again, and Davey appeared, this time a large bag in hand.

“I said to go home.” I frowned.

He handed me the bag. “I’m leaving now, but you must let us know when you want to go to the hotel. Don’t leave without me.”

I nodded and peered into the bag when he left. There was a pillow and a soft, light blanket. A handwritten note.

So you can be comfortable.

Rest when you can⁠—

Anna

I was amazed at the kindness. The generosity. And the reason behind it made my heart ache. I had a sudden need to see Sully. To feel his arms around me and hear him soothing me, assuring me everything would be okay.

I wanted to call him and hear his voice, but I was too much of a coward.

And I wasn’t sure I had that right. I told him not to come, so I shouldn’t bother him.

I stared out the window, thinking I had made a big mistake.

And I wasn’t sure how to correct it.

SULLY

I stared at the floor of my closet where Autumn’s suitcases had been. She’d taken everything. Her toiletries were gone. Her robe. All of it.

As if she wasn’t planning on returning.

I shut my eyes and shook my head. It was probably easier just to take everything with her rather than decide what to leave.

Because she was coming back, right?

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling exhausted. I had worked diligently until Wednesday evening, handing the completed files to the correct parties. Then I jumped on the next flight home, rushing back to the flat, even though I knew she was in Canada.

I had spoken to Niall. Knew Autumn was at the hospital and had been there since they’d dropped her off. He assured me they’d taken food and items to make her more comfortable.

The doctor’s report was simple. No change.

I hadn’t heard from her. Not a call or a text. It took everything in me not to call or text her.

And somehow walking in and finding her suitcases gone felt devastating to me, even as I rationalized it in my mind. I sat down heavily on the edge of the bed, dragging her pillow close. I held it to my face, the scent of her filling my head. Light, floral, and feminine. She always smelled so good.

My phone rang, and I answered right away, seeing it was Anna. My heart sped up.

“Anna. Did something happen?”