Waiting by Sue Brown

Author:Sue Brown
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2012-10-08T21:08:29+00:00

THE morning brought with it gusts of rain. Dan stood by the window, watching fat raindrops beat heavily against the glass as the night gave way to a dull gray morning. The window of Noel’s room overlooked the parking lot, and he saw Maire and Sean pull up in their large Lexus. Dan looked at the clock. Seven a.m. True to his word, Todd had left Dan alone with Noel all night, apart from the usual stats. Noel was holding his own. Dan had to be grateful for small mercies. This time yesterday, the doctors had told him Noel wouldn’t survive the day.

He watched Maire and Sean scurry across the parking lot toward the entrance. Sean was holding a bag, which Dan hoped contained breakfast. He was starving.

Taking his place beside Noel, he leaned over to kiss him good morning, wrinkling his nose at the stale smell of Noel’s breath.

“Good morning, lover. I’m going to have to brush your teeth for you today, otherwise the boys won’t be lining up to kiss you anymore.”

“We can’t have that, can we?” Clare said as she entered the room. She smiled at Dan. “Good morning. Morning, Noel. How are you today?” She patted Noel’s shoulder. “You’re looking better today, Noel.”

Dan smiled at her. “We’re fine today, Clare. It’s not so nice outside, is it?”

“I thought I was going to get blown across the parking lot,” she said. “The swelling is subsiding on Noel’s face.”

Noel still looked like he’d gone ten rounds with a heavyweight boxer, but the swelling around his eyes and cheekbones had reduced a fraction.

“I’m going to check the catheter,” she said.

“Sean and Maire are on their way in. Do you want me to pull the curtains?” Dan asked.

The nurse grinned at him. “Good idea. Noel doesn’t need to be displaying his wares quite so early in the morning.”

As Dan drew the curtains around the bed, the door opened to admit Sean and Maire, soaking wet from their short trip across the parking lot.

“Hi,” Dan said, “Clare is just looking after Noel. She won’t be long.”

On cue, Clare called a greeting from behind the curtains. “Morning, Mr. and Mrs. Murohy.”

“Morning, Clare,” Maire returned.

Dan noticed that both of them were looking better than they had the night before. Sean, in particular, was looking less gray and drawn.

“Breakfast,” Sean said, handing over a package.

It smelled heavenly, and Dan was salivating before he opened it to reveal a bacon and egg sandwich, greasy and hot just as he like it.

“Sit down and eat, son,” Sean said. “I’m going to get drinks for everyone from the kitchen.”

Dan didn’t argue, demolishing the sandwich in a few urgent bites. When Sean came back with the tea, he washed it down, wishing he could have the same meal again.

Maire looked at him shrewdly. “Next time we’ll double the order.”

“You wouldn’t think doing nothing could make you that hungry,” Dan said apologetically.

After pushing back the curtains, Clare washed her hands in the sink. “I’m going to get the doctor to take a look at Noel.

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