Page 10 of Dead Serious: Case 3 Mr Bruce Reyes
I’m about to head toward the main reception desk when I spot a familiar face. “Sonia,” I call out to Maddie’s wife, but my voice sounds like a squeaky rubber chicken. “Sonia!” I try again, raising my hand and waving.
She clocks me and lets out a breath of relief as she hurries over to me. “Tris, I’m so glad you’re here. The nurses said they’d called you, and I was worried I’d missed you.” She wraps her arms around me and pulls me into a hug. “Jesus, Tristan,” she remarks as she steps back and touches my forehead, “you’re burning up.”
“I was in bed with the flu when I got the call,” I whisper painfully.
“I’d say you shouldn’t be here,” she murmurs, “but I would’ve done exactly the same thing.”
“What are you doing here?” My eyes widen. “Oh my god. Maddie was in the car with Danny, wasn’t she?”
Of course she was, I remind myself. They’re partners, they’re always together. I watch as Sonia’s eyes glisten and she blinks back the tears.
“Is she…?”
“She’s okay.” Sonia blows out a slow breath. “She scared ten years off my life but she’s alright. Bumps and bruises and a dislocated shoulder.”
“And Danny?” My voice breaks and this time it’s not from the flu.
“I’m not sure exactly. They wouldn’t tell us much because we’re not listed as his next of kin, but I’m sure he’s going to be okay.” Sonia reaches for my hot, clammy hand and squeezes it reassuringly. “Come on, I’ll take you to Maddie. She was with him the whole time, she’ll be able to tell you more.”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak. We walk in silence toward A & E, where Sonia leads me to a curtained cubicle and ushers me inside.
“Tristan!” Maddie looks up, her eyes filled with pain and worry. At her temple is a nasty bump, already darkening with a painful-looking bruise, and her face looks pale and stark against her bright red hair. Her left arm is strapped across her body in a tight Velcro sling, presumably to support it while her shoulder heals. “I’m so sorry, Tris.” She reaches for me, and I take her hand. “I tried to swerve but there was no time. The tree hit the car, and the passenger side took the brunt of the impact.”
“It’s not your fault, Maddie.” I squeeze her hand and she frowns. “Is he okay? What’s happening? Have they said anything?”
She looks at where our hands are joined, probably registering the temperature of my skin. “Just how sick are you, Tris?” She changes her mind and shakes her head. “Never mind, don’t answer that. The nurse will be back in a minute. She’s just getting my discharge papers and the care instructions for my shoulder, then she said she’d take us up to wait for Danny to get out of surgery.”
“Surgery.” I sway as my head starts to spin again.
Sonia guides me to a hard plastic chair. “Here, honey, sit down before you fall down.”
“I know it sounds scary,” Maddie tells me. “But I was with him the whole time, and I rode in the ambulance with him too. He was unconscious but they said he had a good strong pulse and his breathing was fine. I think, like me, he took a bit of a knock to the head, but they–” she breaks off and swallows tightly.
“They what, Maddie?” I whisper.
“They had to cut him out of the car—he was pinned. I don’t know what the extent of his injuries are, but his leg looked pretty bad.”
“Oh my god.” I swallow as my eyes fill with tears.
“It’s going to be alright, Tris.” Sonia rubs my back in comfort. “We’re here for you both. You’re not alone.”
“I like her,” Dusty mutters and I look up to find her hovering at the edge of the room, watching the three of us.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” A chipper voice draws my attention as a small, plump nurse slips through the curtains with a prescription bag and a handful of leaflets. “The doctor says he’s happy for you to go, and here’s your pain relief.” She hands the paper bag to Maddie. “It goes without saying, don’t drive or operate heavy machinery while taking them, but you won’t be driving for a little while yet with your shoulder anyway. I’ve also got care instructions for your shoulder and for the head injury. Thankfully, it seems to be quite mild, but if at any point you develop severe pain, double vision, or start vomiting, come back to the hospital straight away.”
Maddie nods, wincing in pain. “What about my partner? Daniel Hayes?” she asks, her eyes darting over to me. “This is his boyfriend, Tristan Everett. We were told he’s in surgery and that there is somewhere we could wait?”
“Of course.” The nurse glances in my direction. “If you’re ready, I could take you up now.”
“Thank you,” Maddie answers for me.
I watch as Maddie slides off the bed gingerly, cradling her arm.
“Here, love, let me take care of those for you.” Sonia takes the leaflets and prescription and shoves them into her bag before taking my hand and giving it a little squeeze of reassurance.
We set off through the A & E department, past curtained cubicles and staff, and through the winding corridors. I can do nothing but follow in silence. The whole world seems to have narrowed. The floor squeaks beneath my feet as people pass by us and rain patters against the glass walls letting dim light in from outside, but I don’t spare any of it a glance. I can’t.
I can feel Sonia’s small hand gripping mine and Dusty’s ghostly presence as her hand rests on my shoulder. I stare at the back of Maddie’s wild red hair in front of me as she walks alongside the nurse, whose scrubs rustle with the friction of her movements.