As I was leaving the meeting room, my phone rang and I didn't recognize the number but I answered it anyway.
Subconsciously I wondered and hoped whether it could be kidnappers that wanted to discuss terms with me.
"Hello?" I said.
"Hello?" the voice on the other end said. "This is Dr. Smith from St. Mary's Hospital. I'm afraid I have some bad news.
"Bad news?"
"Mrs Emily, has been involved in an accident."
'Accident?' I was shocked. "Is she okay?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"We have managed to make her stable," The doctor said. "But she's been badly injured. We need you to come down to the hospital as soon as possible."
I didn't need to be told twice. I grabbed my coat and keys and rushed out of the building. I dashed out, not even locking the door of my office.
Although I didn't wasn't her as a wife anymore, she is still my wife, that is for now though. All I could think about was what really happened to Emily and getting to the hospital as quickly as possible.
When I arrived at St. Mary's, I was met by a nurse who led me to a private room. "Your wife is being treated in the ICU," she said. "The doctor will be in to see you shortly."
I sat down in the chair next to the bed, feeling numb and dazed. I didn't know what to think or how to feel. All I knew was that I had to be there for Emily, no matter what.
A few minutes later, the door opened and a doctor dressed in white walked in. "Mr. Dickinson," he said. "I'm Dr. Smith. I'm the one who called you earlier."
"How is she?" I asked. "Is she going to be okay?"
The doctor hesitated. "She's been badly injured," he said. "But she's stable. We're doing everything we can to help her recover." He said adjusting his coat.
"What is your relationship with the patient?" He asked.
I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "Can I see her?" I asked.
The doctor nodded. "Of course," he said. "But I have to warn you, do not disturb her, I am going to take you to her and you just see for yourself. She's been in a very serious accident and she needs rest."
I stood up, my heart racing. The doctor led me out of the room and down a long hallway. As we walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread building in my chest.
I didn't know what to expect, but the doctor said everything was under control but will be okay. That is as long as she is not in a coma , I thought. If she was unconscious it would take a really long time for the papers to get signed and the thing I didn't have was patience.
Finally, we reached the ICU. The doctor paused outside the room and turned to me. "She's in there," he said. "But please be aware that her condition is critical and you can only stay for a short time."
I took a deep breath and pushed open the door. And there she was, lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to a machine that beeped and whirred. Her face was bruised and swollen and her head was bandaged. But she was alive.
I sat down next to her bed and took her hand. "I'm here, Emily," I said, my voice breaking. "I'm here."
She turned her head slightly and looked at me. I forced a smile, Dickinson she began I thought you wouldn't bother to come she managed to speak.
I managed to squeeze out a smile ofcourse I would. I wanted to ask her why she hadn't signed the divorce paper, but I just felt this wasn't the right moment. She was weak and was heavily breathing. It was a good thing she wasn't in a coma.
But as I looked at her, bandaged and bruised, I couldn't help but wonder what had happened. How had she ended up in this hospital bed? What had caused this accident?
The doctor came by the door and I knew my time was up, I stood up from the bed and headed for the door.
"D...Dickinson", she managed to speak out.
"Have a nice rest and heal quickly." I only said heading out the door.
"How did it happen, " I asked as I went out. I turned and faced the doctor
"She was heading somewhere with her car when the brake's failed and she crashed into the car. The police took the car into custody and passers-by affirmed seeing the car tumbling. It is a miracle she could talk."
"A miracle? What was she thinking? I muttered as I turned to face the room again m
My phone suddenly rang again, I brought it out and looked at the screen. Max?.
"You take care of her, I will take care of the bills", I said the phone was still ringing.
"Right go to the cashier down the hall and pay in", he replied.
I nodded then answered the call.
"Hello Dick" His voice bounded to the other end I flinched hello max, I answered not bothering about his abbreviation of my name.
We hadn't spoken in a while. He was probably busy with work. . "Max, how are you?" I asked as I rounded the bend in the hall.
"I'm good," he said. "I was just worried about you. I tried to reach you at the office but the receptionist said you were out."
I paused for a moment, trying to remember if I had told anyone at work that I was going to be out. Yeah, yeah I left my office just about an hour ago. I said as I walked down the hall.
"Well, I was just worried," Max said. "I haven't seen you in a while and I wanted to make sure you were doing okay."
I felt a pang of guilt. Max was right, we hadn't seen each other in a while. I had been so caught up in work and my personal life that I hadn't made time for my friends.
"Emily got involved in an accident." I sighed as I broke the news to him.
"Oh my," I suddenly bumped into a nurse, I waved her sorry and walked on.
"I'm sorry to hear about Dickinson," he said. "I have been busy lately. I couldn't come till now." He said.
"It's okay I said why don't we catch up over a drink tonight?" I said standing by the cashier table.
"That sounds great," Max said. "How about we meet at that bar we used to go to in the city?"
"The Bayside bar?" I asked.
"That's the one," Max said. "I'll see you there 7?"
"I'll be there," I said. "And Max?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for checking on me," I said. "I really appreciate it."
"Anytime," he said. "See you soon."
I hung up the phone and sighed deeply.
"How can I help you sir?" The cashier said, startling me from my thoughts.
I told the cashier my relationship with my wife and her ward number. After tapping her fingers on the computer she gave me the bill and I brought out a check and handed it to her.
She smiled at me as she took the bill, have a good night sir and am sorry about what happened she said.
"Good night too" I said as I left the hospital.
I drove to the city, my mind racing with thoughts of the accident and my wife.
I knew I needed to focus on the present and enjoy my time with Max, but it was hard to shake off the feeling of worry and concern.
When I arrived at the Rusty Nail, I saw that the place was packed. I scanned the crowd, looking for a familiar face. As I made my way to the bar, I noticed a man sitting alone at a table in the corner. He looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place him.
I ordered a drink and made my way over to the table. "Mind if I join you?" I asked.
The man looked up and his face lit up with recognition. "Dickinson!" he exclaimed. "I haven't seen you in ages!"
It was then that I remembered who he was. It was the young man I had seen earlier, the day that Jim pulled me out drunk.
It's good to see you again henry" I said, smiling as I shook his hand.
I sat down next to him and we talked about wines, which taste better our brands and choices. Our conversation ranged from wine to city happenings rather than women.
"I think I am in love", he told me.
"Love is a beautiful but not easy thing", I told him as I thought of Emile.
He was a jolly good fellow, he was also intelligent, a lover of wine. He giggled from time to time making funny remarks. It was a welcome distraction from the constant worry that consumed my thoughts.
"Do you frequent here often?" I asked as I downed a cup of wine.
"Yeah I do hang out here some nights," he said, holding his wine glass. I noticed a scar under his chin. As raised his jaw while he laughed.