Claire, like a warrior, rose fierce and angry against the invader. “You might want to rethink what you’re saying, Howard. Julia has been a damn good wife and mother. Perhaps it might have helped if Charles had told her he was being treated for high blood pressure, among other things.”
“Too bad your day was so busy you couldn’t get back here until now.” Brad snorted. “How do you suppose that looks?”
Howard placed a hand on his wife’s shoulder, his face a mask of controlled fury. “Elise was so distraught I wouldn’t allow her to leave the house again until she’d rested.”
“Mmm hmm.” Brad turned away from them. “Julia, I think you need to lie down again.”
She shook her head. Running away from this wouldn’t help. “I’m fine, Brad. Honestly. But I could use another cup of tea.” By the time this was over, she’d probably never be able to drink it again, but right now it sustained her.
“Coming right up.” He slid past the Pattersons as if they weren’t even there.
“I demand to see the doctor.” Howard’s authoritarian mantle now sat firmly in place.
“The nurse will page him for you.” Claire was not about to leave Julia’s side for a moment.
“You know the divorce brought this on,” Elise accused, her face pinched. “There’s never been a divorce in this family. Charles was mortified.”
“Mortified?” Claire was furious. “Maybe if he—”
Julia put her hand on her friend’s arm. “Leave it alone, Claire. It’s a losing battle.”
“There will be no divorce,” Howard stated. “I will see to that. Try to go ahead with it and you and your children will be sorry.”
Julia tried to speak but a boulder had lodged in her throat.
Claire opened her mouth to speak again but Rombauer’s arrival interrupted whatever she planned to say. Howard planted himself aggressively in front of the doctor and barked his questions. In his dictatorial fashion, he gesticulated, demanded, ordered, and excoriated. Rombauer listened patiently, providing information in a calm, controlled voice.
Watching him, Julia saw assessment and recognition flare in his eyes. He was no fool. Quietly, he assured Howard he was free to call in as many specialists as he wanted, but pointed out before he did anything he would have to consult with the patient’s wife.
“Wait a moment.” Julia froze at his words. “What?”
Rombauer turned to her. “Mr. Patterson has a medical directive and power of attorney. His partner brought them in this morning. You’re listed on both of them as the person making every medical decision.”
“That must be what Rod was so ticked off about,” Claire murmured.
Julia was so shocked she struggled to put words together. “B-But that’s impossible. Charles and I were…are…”
“Nonsense,” Howard thundered. “We are responsible for his care. Before this happened they were all but divorced. That’s in the wind but no way is his care in the hands of anyone but us.”
Rombauer shrugged. “I’ll be happy to show you the documents, if you like. But until Mr. Patterson is able to make any changes, whatever actions are needed will be her choice and hers alone.” He paused. “You are, of course, free to consult with her and give her your input. I’m sure she’ll be happy to consider your wishes.”
Julia could have sworn a smile flirted with the corners of his mouth. His face was his normal impassive mask, but his eyes quite clearly stated he did not like Howard and Elise Patterson. Claire and Brad struggled to keep their own faces impassive.
Howard’s face twisted in contempt as he turned on her and delivered a speech that would have stripped the skin off someone who cared. But in the years of their marriage, any good feelings Julia harbored for her in-laws had disappeared. The thick shell she’d developed where they were concerned insulated her from any pain they might now inflict, and she hoped they’d get out of there before she told them to go to hell.
At a time when normal families pulled together and surrounded each other, the Pattersons’ single purpose was gaining control and shutting Julia out. If things hadn’t been so dicey—the destruction of her marriage, the separation, the impending divorce that now seemed on hold—she might even have laughed. She was caught in a trap she didn’t want, yet it was her only weapon against a familiar enemy.
Howard was infuriated at his inability to intimidate her, and the presence of Claire and Brad only increased his rage. Through it all, Elise sat without moving, avoiding so much as a glance in Julia’s direction. The only words she spoke were to demand Claire find her some coffee.
“Preferably with hemlock,” Claire muttered, then touched Julia’s shoulder briefly. “I know, I know. I’m going.”
If not for Brad’s intervention, Julia knew she would have said things best left unspoken. Forceful in his own way, he thanked Rombauer for everything and asked if the Pattersons could see their son. Elise waited for her coffee, but Julia followed the nurse as she led Howard down the hall to Charles’s cubicle.
“My God.” Howard’s eyes swept the room full of machines and his son lying immobile in the bed. A muscle twitched in his cheek. He didn’t approach the bed, simply watched from the doorway. Julia waited outside until the nurse came to tell him his time was up.
Elise still sat on the hard plastic chair drinking her coffee. She raised her eyes to Howard’s as he walked toward her. He simply shook his head.
“He’s still not awake, my dear. Perhaps tomorrow will be better.”
Elise stood up, mouth set in a grim expression. “We’ll arrange our visits so we needn’t collide with each other,” Howard told Julia. “We’d prefer to visit in the evening.”
Good. She’d work it out so she could avoid them altogether. “Actually that will work out well. I’ll be home then with the children.”
“Oh. Yes. The children.” As if they were belongings with no place to be put at the moment.
“Well then,” Howard continued, “we’ll be leaving. Elise needs to
