I Know Who Holds Tomorrow by Francis Ray Read Free Book Online

She rubbed her forehead. Everybody was tense and the waiting was making it worse.
    Suddenly the phone on the credenza rang. A.J. snatched it up. “Yes?”
    Madison and Vanessa both came to their feet.
    A.J.’s face became more haggard as the conversation lengthened. Finally he hung up. Madison was almost afraid to hear what he had to say.
    â€œA.J.?” Vanessa asked.
    â€œThey’re just finishing up. The doctor should be up shortly.”

FOUR
    T HE DOOR OPENED AND all eyes centered on the tall, lanky man with a long face in a green scrub suit, a white surgical cap, and paper shoe covers. “I’m Dr. London. Is Mr. Reed’s wife, here?”
    â€œI’m his wife.” Madison’s throat felt sandpaper-dry.
    â€œLet’s give the family some privacy,” Gordon said, holding the door open. One by one they passed by with a word of comfort, a quick hug or a reassuring hand.
    Madison barely noticed; all her attention was on the doctor. “Please, how is he?”
    â€œPerhaps you should sit down.”
    â€œNo. Just tell me.”
    â€œYour husband sustained extensive internal injuries when the car pinned him against the guardrail.”
    Madison heard Vanessa cry out, felt the churning in her own stomach, and fought to hold back her own fear and the nausea clawing at her throat. She swallowed reflexively.
    Dr. London’s blue eyes watched her closely for a long moment before continuing. “The liver and the left kidney were damaged. We resectioned the liver, but couldn’t save the kidney. It was touchy in the operating room. The next twenty-four hours are going to be rough.”
    â€œW-will he be all right?” Madison asked.
    â€œWe’ll just have to take it minute by minute,” Dr. London answered. He gave her no false hope to hang on to. No illusions. All she could think of was that this morning Wes had had such hopes for the future. If she had said yes, maybe she could have prevented this and Wes wouldn’t be fighting for his life. “Can I see him?”

    â€œHe’ll be in the recovery room for at least another hour or longer, then he’ll be transferred to ICU,” Dr. London explained. “I’ll tell his nurse to call up here and let you come in for a few minutes when they get him settled. The waiting area is not as comfortable or as nice as this.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. I want to see him as soon as possible.” Madison quickly picked up her purse and slung the strap over her shoulder. “Where do I go?”
    â€œFourth floor. Get off the elevator and turn left,” Dr. London answered. “Have the nurse page me if you have questions after you see him.”
    â€œI will. Thank you.” After Dr. London left the room Madison turned to her in-laws. “Would you like to go with me to wait?”
    â€œIf I could see Wes you couldn’t keep me away, but you heard the doctor. He won’t be in ICU for an hour, perhaps longer. It’s pointless to wait there instead of here,” Vanessa said, her displeasure with her daughter-in-law abundantly clear.
    Madison didn’t even look toward A.J. She’d learned when Vanessa made a decision, A.J. followed. “If you need anything while I’m gone, contact Ann Crane.” In the hallway, she quickly explained the situation to Gordon and the people who had waited. After handshakes and hugs, everyone left except Gordon.
    â€œYou’ve been here long enough,” Madison told him. “You can leave. I’ll be fine.”
    He took her cold hands in his. “I’m going with you to ICU.”
    Madison loved and appreciated Gordon even more for wanting to be with her, but she knew he’d been working sixteen-hour days for the past week at the station. He had to be exhausted. He was just too stubborn and too good of a friend to leave her. Although she didn’t want to go to ICU alone, it wouldn’t be as draining