Ben walked over and pulled her to her feet. “Hold me gently,” he said, carefully placing her arms around his torso.
She obliged and then kissed him softly on the lips, taking care to avoid the small cut, and then on his jaw. They remained standing in each other’s arms until the ringing phone in his room interfered. Ben went through and answered the call. His father was on the other end, calling to tell him that Valerie was awake, and although they can’t see her until she’s out of ICU, she keeps asking for ‘Ben.’ After he assured his father he would be there soon, he returned to Ana’s room to share the news.
“Valerie’s awake! I think maybe the worst of everything is over—or almost over.”
“That is good news—the best,” Ana said, rising onto her tiptoes and kissing his cheek.
Ben slipped his arms around her waist and in a more serious tone replied, “Well, she’s not completely out of the woods, but at least she survived the surgery.” He hesitated then said, “I have to go—thank her for saving my life. Dad said she’s asking for me.”
Ana maintained her happy expression, but although she was relieved for Ben’s ex-wife, she was also troubled by what this might mean to her connection with him—in spite of the divorce. She couldn’t avoid the thought that he might still feel some sort of obligation to Valerie, both with her recovery and the future status of their previous relationship. Ben had said very little, other than the marriage had been increasingly troubled and difficult. Clearly she could have no control over what happened, but she wanted to be there.
“Let me come with you,” she said immediately. “I can visit with Olivia and your parents while you see Valerie.”
“Thanks, but I have no idea how long I’ll be. Just wait here and I’ll stay in touch—promise,” Ben said, not realizing he had caused Ana to feel like an outsider yet again. She resigned herself to more hours of doubt ahead and put on a happy face when wishing him luck. She feared he could be walking out the door and back into his old life.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
In less than an hour Ben was standing outside the ICU entrance, waiting for permission to enter. Shortly the head duty nurse opened the door and in halting English asked his name and the name of the patient he wanted to see.
“Por favor esepere aqui.” she said, then closed the door and disappeared for several minutes, while Ben waited impatiently.
Upon her return she opened the door wider and motioned for him to follow her. She led him into a room where he was ordered to wash his hands thoroughly and to put sterilized scrubs over his clothing. Due to the language gap these instructions were primarily accomplished with pointing and hand gestures. He was then shown to a small room that seemed more like a cubicle. There were walls but no window, and inside he saw only a small table and the bed where Valerie lay sleeping. The wall facing the corridor was glass, which facilitated keeping an eye on the patient. A Venetian blind afforded privacy but was fully opened. She looked small, pale and defenseless. Cords attached her to several monitors, while IV bags were delivering fluids and transfusing blood. Small tubes in her nostrils supplied oxygen and a sterilized bonnet resembling a shower cap covered her hair. She appeared to be sleeping, but soon responded to the slight noise of the door as he entered.
Her eyes opened slowly and she noticed him standing there. She smiled weakly, but there was a vacancy in her eyes that Ben thought might be a result of the drugs she’d been given for pain. He walked to the side of the bed and took her hand in his. Her lips and mouth were very dry when she tried to speak.
“Ben… you’re okay… right?” Her speech was slurred, and when he nodded yes she seemed not to notice the bruising on his face. “I told that ugly man my husband would come for me.” She paused, trying to find her words. “I told him you loved me and you would come. I did, I did… but he didn’t care.” Her speech became more fuzzy and trailed off as she closed her eyes.
Ben had tried not to show his shock when she began to speak of them as a couple. A few minutes later Valerie opened her eyes again and spoke. She asked when they could go home to their flat in London, and then asked if her parents could visit. Her expression softened as she said that when she was feeling strong again it would be time they had a baby. Valerie was rambling, obviously under the influence of medication, and Ben looked down at the floor, not knowing how to respond. He could tell she was having trouble staying awake and hoped she would drift off so he could step out and find her doctor. Just as he completed the thought Valerie startled, and with one hand she reached for the other, the one Ben was holding. She suddenly tried to move.
The distress in her voice was obvious as she spoke. “Where’s my ring? Someone stole my ring!” She looked at Ben, imploring him for an answer. He was struck speechless. Summoning what strength she had, she demanded, “Ben! I need my ring!”
“Don’t get upset. I’ll see what I can find out.” In order to keep her calm that was the only answer he could give. He excused himself under the guise of making inquiries about the ring.
She called after him in a weak scratchy voice. “Come back soon.”
Ben stopped the first nurse he encountered in the corridor and tried to communicate that he needed badly to talk to
