I speak into his hard chest because I don’t have the energy to lift my head and look at him. “Yes. Her lupus has complications and one has been elevated blood pressure. She hasn’t changed her diet enough so she’s been really fatigued the last few weeks. Plus, my father said the doctor told her to get more rest. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t know what was going on.”
He rubs my arm and leans into my hair, resting his head on top of mine. “It’s after two in the morning. You should eat something to keep up your strength.”
I shake my head, but my stomach rumbles. “I don’t think I could hold anything down. I didn’t realize it’s so late. You should go home. Have you packed? What time’s your flight?”
“Don’t worry about any of that. My flight isn’t until nine tonight and I’m mostly packed.”
“I wonder where Wyatt is.” If I had the energy to spare, I’d be worried about him.
“What’s the woman’s name who called 911?”
“Hannah. She’s Wyatt’s fiancée and subbing in for Mama.” I whisper that last bit in case Mama’s not as asleep as I think.
“Before we left, Hannah said he’d gone somewhere with your father, but his phone was going directly to voicemail.”
I sit up at that little revelation. The side of Knox’s face has my curl pattern imprinted on it and his eyes are red and tired. “My father went to Houston for a meeting later this morning. Why would Wyatt go with him?”
He pulls his eyebrows together. “What a coincidence. My father went to Houston too.”
I don’t spare a thought for that because I’m sure it’s a coincidence. My father doesn’t have any dealings with Knox’s father. Instead I check around for my purse but don’t see it or Mama’s.
Knox anticipates what I want and digs in his backpack for both, handing them to me.
I pull my phone out and check my notifications. I have several missed calls from Hannah and Sue, but that’s it. I call my father’s phone and although it doesn’t go directly to voicemail, it eventually does after ringing a few times. When I call Wyatt’s phone, it doesn’t even ring. I set my phone down on top of my purse and lean over in the chair, placing my face in my hands.
Knox rubs my back, and it is a comfort. Maybe it’s my muddled state, but I’m having trouble puzzling out why Wyatt would be with Daddy. Did I miss one of them saying he was going? Could I have forgotten with everything else going on? Why would Hannah tell Knox, but not me? Before I can ask myself any more questions I don’t have the answer to, my phone vibrates. I pick it up and go out into the hallway, leaving Knox to watch over my sleeping mother. “Daddy?”
His voice is raw with sleep. “Hi, darling. I saw you called. Is everything okay?”
“No, it’s not at all. Mama had a heart attack and we’re in the emergency room.”
“What? Oh no.” His voice booms through the phone.
“She’s okay. It was minor but they’re admitting her for observation before she can go home. Is Wyatt with you?”
He hesitates and my already tingling Spidey-senses go up another notch. “Yes, he rode down to Houston with me.”
“Well, Hannah’s been trying to reach him ever since this happened over six hours ago. Why is his phone going directly to voicemail?” I know my tone is accusatory, but I don’t have the strength to temper my words.
“I haven’t a clue. Let me go knock on his door and one of us will call you right back. You’re sure she’s okay? Can she talk?”
“She’s resting. Just let him know what happened. Don’t try to come back here in the middle of the night. Just go to your meeting, then come back.” I don’t want to have to worry about them on the dark country roads in the middle of the night on top of everything else. “I need to get back in her room so I’ll call you if anything changes.”
“I think we better head back now.”
“She’s okay, Daddy. Maybe she’ll be ready to go home by the time you get back as planned later today.”
He’s quiet for a few moments, no doubt thinking. “Okay. We should be back by noon at the latest. I’ll call you when we’re on our way.”
“Okay.”
“I’m sorry you had to be there by yourself. I love you, sweetheart.”
I’m not by myself thankfully, but he doesn’t need all the details and I don’t feel like answering any questions. “Love you too, Daddy.” I disconnect the call and go back into the room.
Evidently while I was preoccupied with Daddy in the hallway, a nurse came into the room. He’s standing next to the bed typing on a bedside computer. Knox is standing on the other side of the bed holding Mama’s hand. Or maybe she’s grasping his.
I slide up next to Knox and replace his hand with mine. Her hands are warm now and feel normal. “You’re awake. How are you feeling?”
“Tired but better than I did when I got here. I’m ready to go home though.”
I glance at the nurse who smiles. “We’ll get you out of here as soon as we can, Ms. Townsend. Meanwhile, let’s get you up to your room.”
I say, “Oh good. Her room’s ready?”
“Yes, room 634. We’re just waiting on the nurse from that floor to come get her.”
I squeeze Mama’s hands between mine. “That’s good news. It’ll be more comfortable up there.”
She closes her eyes, lashes fluttering.
I look at Knox and shrug.
He grins. “I guess it’s comfortable enough down here for her. At least she’s getting some rest. Is Wyatt coming?”
I’m glad Mama didn’t ask me about Wyatt because I’m not certain what to tell her. I have no idea why he’s with Daddy in Houston especially when we’re supposed to be traveling later today.
I pull on Knox’s shirt, leading him back to the
