The Lives Between Us by Theresa Rizzo

Author:Theresa Rizzo [Rizzo, Theresa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rizzo Publishing
Published: 2015-04-16T04:00:00+00:00

Edward walked through the hospital’s service entrance with his usual confident, controlled stride. With Jeff anchored to his right and Ben flanking his left, they were met by the hospital administrator and she escorted them to Noelle’s private room in ICU. Noelle was off getting tests, giving Edward time to pore over the large file of information his staff had hastily compiled on the cutting-edge treatment for spinal cord injuries.

Edward called Joseph to pick up Jeff and was relieved that his father-in-law had been able to rearrange his schedule to care for his grandson. Edward was uncharacteristically obstructive with the press over the next few days. He had Ben refuse all interviews and phone calls, devoting every waking hour to reading about spinal cord injuries and potential treatments. The only people allowed in and out of Noelle’s room, besides medical personnel, were his son, Joseph, Mark, and Ben. The others could wait.

Edward turned back to the printouts, discouraged. There was so much to learn. Methylprednisone, morphine, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, infection and pneumonia worries, suctioning, complete and incomplete breaks…the list seemed never-ending.

Mark leaned around the doorway. “Hey, how’s she doing?”

“Okay.” Edward tried to sound optimistic in case Noelle had awakened. “Come in and see for yourself.”

Mark hesitated. “I’ll come back later. Skye’s with me. We’re kangarooing the twins and I wanted to check on Noelle before we went to dinner.”

Edward appreciated that Mark kept Skye out of the room to protect their privacy. Skye’s insinuations at the end of her interview made Edward wary. Skye was his best friend’s girlfriend, and important to Mark, yet...

He wasn’t clear on exactly what Skye thought she knew about his past, but his wife liked her. Both she and Mark couldn’t be wrong, so he’d have to trust their instincts. A visit with the effervescent Skye might raise Noelle’s spirits. Maybe interaction with a female who wasn’t caring for her would be good for her.

Edward tossed down the article he was reading and waved his friend in. “Visit awhile.” He could use a distraction, too.

With his arm stretched out behind him, Mark pulled Skye into the room. She smiled brightly. “Hi, Edward. How’s it going?”

“Okay. Skye, look, I hate to say this, but I have to.” He held her gaze. “Anytime you set foot in this room, you are a friend of the family—not a reporter. Can you do that?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

Edward pursed his lips. “Good.”

Skye mentally slapped herself. How’s it going? His wife is paralyzed and on a ventilator. How do you think it’s going, idiot?

Skye moved past Edward into the room. After the way their interview ended, she’s shocked he’d even allowed her in. She glanced at Mark to see if he noticed any awkwardness, but his attention was focused on Edward.

Skye inched closer to the foot of the bed. She wished they’d stopped at the gift shop to pick up a colorful flower arrangement. It felt strange visiting someone in the hospital empty-handed.

Her gaze centered on the profusion of flowers lining the windowsill.

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