Anchor of Hope by Kiah Stephens

Author:Kiah Stephens [Stephens, Kiah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-03-12T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Ashley’s head began to spin as Jay drove into the hospital grounds and the familiar building came into view. It wasn’t that she hated this place: it was that it terrified her. She recalled the long nights she spent there by her father’s bed as he slowly and agonisingly succumbed to ALS.

She clenched her fists as she felt her pulse getting faster and faster.

Jay noticed.

“Do you want me to come in with you?”

She nodded, unable to speak.

He found a parking spot with little trouble. As they dashed across towards the entrance, he took her hand in his. She was amazed at how much that one small action helped to soothe her.

Jay asked the receptionist which room Henry was in.

Ashley stood there behind Jay, under the harsh fluorescent lights as people dressed in hospital scrubs walked by. She folded her arms, unable to focus on what Jay was saying. She felt him take her by the arm and guide her towards the elevator.

Please God, don’t let me be too late. I can’t go through this again.

The trip to the second floor seemed to take forever. As they stepped out into the foyer, everyone was there. Jane and Martin. Grace. Bryan, Jess and the kids. They all turned and saw Ashley and Jay.

“It’s OK. He’s OK,” Jane said as soon as Ashley appeared. Ashley sighed in relief and Jane wrapped her arms around her, holding her tight.

She tried to hide her trembling. “What happened?” Ashley asked.

“It wasn’t a heart attack,” Grace spoke up. “It was acute angina.”

Bryan shook Jay’s hand. “Thanks for bringing Ashley.”

“Not a problem,” Jay said.

“Where is he? Can we see him?” Ashley looked around.

Jane nodded. “Yes, you can see him. Bryan and Jess were about to leave and take the kids home for the night.”

“We’re here so often they almost decided to give us our own room.” Jess smiled.

Ashley smiled back. Seeing everyone in such good spirits helped to ease her anxiety.

Bryan gave Ashley a long hug, and grasped her by the shoulders as he pulled back, looking directly at her. “You OK?” he asked, voice full of concern.

She nodded and let out a deep breath. “Yeah, I think so. I was scared I would, well, that I might not—”

“It’s all right. He’s fine. He’s probably in there cracking jokes with the nurses.”

She smiled weakly and nodded.

Bryan and Jess said their goodbyes and left.

“We might head home too,” Jane said. “We’ll let him have some peace and quiet for the night.”

Grace said goodbye to them and they also left.

“Jay, Henry will be glad to see you.” Grace smiled as she looked up at him, and pointed to the room closest to where they were standing.

Jay smiled back and knocked lightly on the door. He poked his head in and Ashley could overhear Henry welcoming Jay into the room.

“He’s a good man,” Grace put her arm around Ashley’s waist.

“I know. I was so scared tonight, Gran. I thought we were going to lose him.”

“Oh no, dear. I’m talking about Jay.

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