“How much?”
“More than I want to give but probably less than I should.”
“How’s it going with your undercover employee?”
“Unfortunately, it looks like my VP has a problem keeping his hands to himself.”
“Oh. That’s not good.”
“No. And I can’t let him go until we settle this case. If I fire him now, it will just be fuel for her lawyers.”
“Tough spot.”
“Yeah. But enough about that. When can I see you again?”
“Why don’t you plan to come the week after my mom’s surgery?”
“Okay. Sounds good. I’ll have David set that up today.”
“Great,” she agreed. “I’m going to try to get my mom to eat something. Call you later?”
“Sure. Give her my love.”
“Will do. Love you.
“Love you more,” he replied and then quickly hung up before she could object.
She shook her head and grinned.
On the day of Brenda’s surgery, Viktor waited by his phone for an update from Amanda. He was sitting at his desk, reviewing some reports when his phone rang. A Massachusetts number displayed on the caller ID but it wasn’t a number he recognized.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Viktor, it’s Kim.”
“Kim? What’s going on?”
“There’s been a complication with Amanda’s mom.”
“What happened?”
“The tumor was much bigger than they realized and it had a lot of blood vessels feeding it. They wouldn't have opened her up, had they known. They went ahead and removed it but she lost a lot of blood. They’re doing all they can but she’s in critical condition and she could pass at any moment.”
Viktor felt lightheaded and a pit grew in his stomach. “How is Amanda?”
“Not well.”
“I’m flying out right now. Tell her I’m coming.”
“Okay.”
Viktor hung up the phone and called David as he grabbed his keys and raced home to pack a bag. In under 2 hours he was on his way to New Hampshire. He called Kim when he landed and she told him where to park and what room she was in. A short time later, he was walking down the hall in the hospital, looking for Brenda’s room when he spotted Kim walking towards him.
“Where is she?” he asked.
“Just a few doors down. She’s in ICU. They are keeping her sedated. Only one visitor is allowed at a time. Amanda’s been in there the whole time.”
“I’ll follow you.”
Kim led the way to the room. “I’ll send her out so you can talk to her.”
Amanda came out moments later and burst into tears in his arms. He held her tight and told her how sorry he was.
“The doctors don’t think she’ll survive,” she cried. “I can’t lose her, Viktor. I can’t handle this.”
“I’m not leaving your side, Amanda. I’m here and I’m not leaving.”
She tried to dry her eyes and compose herself. “I feel like it can’t be real.”
He stroked her hair and wiped her tears. “It’s really hard for me too. I really love your mom.”
“She loves you too,” Amanda managed to get out before breaking down again.
Viktor walked her over to the waiting room nearby and sat down with her. He rubbed her back and squeezed her hand. “Amanda, she’s not gone yet. As long as she’s alive, there’s still hope.”
Amanda nodded and tried to summon some courage.
“Have you had anything to eat?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I can’t eat.”
He kissed her head. “You need to try to eat something. You can’t handle this stress with no food or sleep. You need to take care of yourself. You may need to make decisions about her care and to do that you need to be functioning.”
“I just don’t think I can eat.”
“Come with me to the cafeteria and let’s see if there’s anything that you might want to try.”
“I don’t want to leave her.”
“Kim is with her. We won’t be gone long.”
Amanda didn’t want to go but she knew Viktor was right so she agreed. Viktor let Kim know what they were doing before they left. Amanda managed to eat a small amount of chicken soup and some tea. It was something at least. They returned to the room and Amanda went back in to sit with her mother. Kim came out to talk to Viktor in the waiting room.
“You look beat,” Viktor said.
“It’s been an emotionally draining day,” Kim admitted.
“Do you have somewhere to stay nearby?” he asked.
“I haven’t given it much thought. You?”
“I’m going to be wherever Amanda is.”
“They don’t allow visitors in ICU after 8:00 P.M.,” Kim informed him. “They will make her leave.”
“Hmm.”
“Yeah, I’m not expecting that to go over well either,” Kim declared. “At any rate, I don’t think she’ll be able to stay at her mom’s. It will just make it worse.”
“Agreed.” Viktor ran his hand down his face. “If you were planning to stay in the area, I’ll rent a couple rooms for us.”
“You don’t mind doing that?”
“No. I think she’s going to need us both if her mom doesn’t make it.”
“I don’t even want to think about that.”
“I don’t think any of us do.” Viktor looked at his watch. “I guess we have about an hour before we have to drag Amanda away.”
“Let’s hope that’s figurative.”
Viktor called a nearby hotel and reserved two rooms for Amanda, himself and Kim. When 8 o’clock rolled around, Viktor prepared himself for Amanda’s reaction to leaving her mother. He walked to the room when he saw a nurse go inside. As he approached the door he heard Amanda pleading with the nurse to let her stay. The nurse gently but firmly stated the hospital policy and explained that it was in the best interests of the patient. Amanda became distraught and Viktor decided to intervene. He opened the door and walked over to Amanda.
“Sweetheart, we will come back first thing in the morning.” He put his hands on her shoulders and tried to gently move her from the room.
She resisted and tearfully declared, “I can’t leave her.”
He looked at the nurse. “Can you give us a minute?” The nurse graciously left and Viktor turned his attention back to Amanda. “Sweetheart, she is getting
