Harlem was indeed surprised at how Carter was stepping up. “I’m sure they’ll appreciate that.” The man was actually thinking of someone other than himself. Harlem turned to Damian. “I’m going to head over to the waiting room.”
“I’ll be there in a sec. I need a quick word with Carter.”
Harlem nodded and left.
“What the hell happened?” Damian asked. “And why do I get the feeling you were downplaying the seriousness of Melody’s situation? Is there something else I should know?”
“They were hit almost head-on by a drunk driver. Mel's injuries are severe. I didn’t want to say much in front of Harlem. I know how sensitive she is about drunk-driving after almost losing her father in an accident. Anyway, I’ve already made a few calls to make sure that Nate and Melody have the best care possible.”
“I didn’t think this night could get any worse,” Damian said.
“I take it Harlem wasn’t too pleased with your promise ring.” Carter figured Damian’s plan wasn’t going to go over well.
“We have shit to deal with. We’ll figure it out.” Damian was confident about that.
Carter wasn’t so sure they would figure things out. Damian needed a woman who would cater to his every need. Harlem was not that person. Carter kept his thoughts to himself. “Let me call my assistant so she can finish arranging the hotel and ground transportation for Nate and Melody’s parents.”
*****
Damian and Harlem sat close in a quiet corner of the private waiting room. Both needed the feel and touch of the other. Harlem’s head rested on Damian’s shoulder as he laced their fingers together.
Harlem glanced around. The unease in the waiting room was palpable.
Carter sat on the opposite side-scrolling through his phone as some woman caressed his back. Harlem had never met her. That was not shocking or surprising. Carter changed women like he changed underwear. He was the only one of their couple friends that wasn’t married or in a committed relationship and probably never would be. He was a proud card-carrying bachelor. Harlem half suspected that Carter was the reason Damian subscribed to the Marriage is Bullshit theology. The man was a selfish whore and didn’t care who knew it.
Harlem hated when Damian hung out with Carter. There was always some extra THOT hanging around hoping to shoot her shot. If Harlem were honest, her jealousy of other women stemmed more from the nagging doubt that, deep down, she wasn’t right for Damian. On paper, they were perfect. Unfortunately, it didn’t translate to real life.
Harlem sighed.
Damian could feel the anxiety coursing through her body. He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “I know you two have grown close, but I’ve already told you that Mel and the baby are going to be fine.”
That was her, Damian. The calm one. The one who could be counted on to be there for the tough stuff. Maybe she was overreacting about everything. People fell in and out of love with their partners all the time. Isn’t he the man of my dreams? She didn’t fully understand her apprehension. It didn’t make sense.
One thing was sure. Life was short. After Nate and Melody’s car accident, Harlem’s perspective was starting to shift. A person could be here one minute and gone the next. It was strange how life and death situations could make everything much clearer.
The doors to the waiting room opened and a doctor flanked by another physician walked inside. Immediately, everyone stood, anxious for news.
“Are Damian Fox and Carter Owens in attendance?”
“Yeah. That’s me.” Damian got up and walked toward them, and so did Carter.
“I’m Dr. Wissam, the attending physician to Nate and Melody Steel. They have you both listed as medical contacts.” Dr. Wissam said.
Harlem wasn’t surprised. All the Principle Partners at Damian’s firm were listed as each other’s medical contacts. However, she was surprised that Carter would be named. He wasn’t a partner but had been friends with Damian and Nate since college too.
Dr. Wissam continued. “This is Valerie Edwards, the Pediatric physician attending to baby Steel.”
“Baby, Steel?” Harlem asked.
Valerie nodded. “Yes. Baby Steel arrived at 9:03pm. He weighs just over a pound and is about eight inches long.” She smiled. “He has a ways to go, but the little guy is fighting hard. Obviously, he is premature and still developing, but overall, his chances are pretty good.”
A collective sigh of relief was heard throughout the room.
“What about Nate and Melody?” Damian asked.
“Yes.” Dr. Wissam addressed his question. “Mr. Steel has been admitted for overnight observation. He was fortunate. While he did sustain a mild concussion and a fracture to the ulna, we haven’t seen anything else that would cause alarm. Still, we would like to watch him to make sure.”
“And Mel?” Harlem followed-up.
“We’re keeping a close eye on her. There is a bit of swelling in the brain. We’ll know more once it goes down, but there doesn’t appear to be any other significant injuries or internal bleeding.”
Swelling to the brain was serious no matter how upbeat Dr. Wissam tried to make it sound.
“When can we see Nate and the baby?” Damian asked.
“It’ll be at least an hour.” The doctors answered a few remaining questions before leaving.
Two hours later, Damian and Harlem stood arm-in-arm
