While I Was Away(86)

She nodded her head.

“It just ... felt like something I should do. I didn't want some stranger calling him, telling him his son has been in an accident and might die. That wouldn't be right.”

“Adele, you're a stranger to him – the man has never met you,” Charlie pointed out. She shrugged.

“He doesn't feel like a stranger to me. I think it was for the best, anyway. He's flying in from Reno as soon as he can find a seat. I told him I'd meet him here.”

“Do you want me to stay until he gets here?”

And that was why Adele had called Charlie instead of her family. Because he got it. He understood. He'd offered to stay, when her brothers would've told her to leave. And as banged up and battered as her spirit was, she didn't think she had it in her to fight them, and she couldn't leave. She just couldn't.

Not until he knows. Not until Jones knows I'm with him, and that I always will be.

“Would you?” she asked in a small voice. “I mean, I can't ask you to, that's awful. But I can't leave. I told Jones I would be with him, right before he passed out. I have to stay.”

“Of course you do,” Charlie nodded. “And of course you can ask me. Just let me -”

When he pulled out his phone, Adele started to freak out.

“No! You can't tell my brothers! Ocean will freak out, he'll carry me out of here, and I have to be here!”

Charlie held up his hand, trying to calm her.

“I won't tell them, I promise. I'm texting Tabitha so she knows where I am, she's at the apartment. She can also stay there, deal with Zoey if she turns up looking for you.”

Adele sagged back into her seat.

“God. Thank you, Charlie. Thank you for putting up with me and helping me and ... being here while I was away. Thank you for being here now.”

After he made the text, they sat in silent vigil for half an hour. Charlie held her hand the whole time, and he didn't seem a bit antsy. She supposed long hours hovering over her hospital bed had made him a pro at the waiting game.

“It's been an hour since I saw a doctor,” she finally spoke. “When is someone going to talk to us?”

“That's what you're waiting for?” Charlie laughed lightheartedly. “Then you really did call the right person. I didn't spend four months visiting you in this hospital without picking up a few tricks. C'mon, we're going to find someone who knows something, and then we're going to see your guy.”

This was what Adele needed. Someone to be strong in her weak moments – she needed to save her strength. So she hobbled along in Charlie's wake, feeling incredibly proud to call him her friend.

I owe him so much.

Three RNs, an intern, and a burn ward charge nurse later, and they were able to track down the doctor who'd moved Jones to his current room. He tried to convince them to leave, but Charlie was persistent, and soon enough they had a room number, and permission to go in and see Jones under the strict rule of not disturbing him.

“He's in a delicate place right now, he could wake up in five minutes, or it could be five weeks. Brain injuries are tricky things.”

You're preachin' to the choir, Bub.

When they finally found Jones' room, the door was standing open. They couldn't see him, though. A large woman in scrubs was leaning over the bed, and when she turned around, Adele saw it was Nurse Monica. The same nurse who'd directed Adele to Jones' favorite diner.

“You!” Monica exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

Adele was at a loss. What could she say?

“We came to see Nurse Lund,” Charlie finally responded, clasping his hands together behind his back.

“You know about Johannes' accident?” Monica seemed surprised. Charlie nodded.

“Adele was in the car with him.”

The nurse looked confused for a moment, then clarity dawned in her eyes as she took in Adele's crutches.

“Oh. Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry.”

“How is he?” Adele spoke softly, leaning to the side and trying to see around the nurse.

“He doesn't feel any pain,” Monica assured her. “And his vitals are good. Strong. Lund was always a strong one. I think he's gonna pull through.”

“Really?”

“Don't quote me on it,” the nurse warned her. “But he's got a strong constitution – takes great care of himself. On top of that, he's well liked here, so he has the best doctors working their hardest on him. We'll do everything we can for him.”

“Can I ...” Adele wasn't sure what she could say without sounding crazy.

But it turned out she didn't need to worry about it. Monica smiled, then headed for the door.

“Of course. Sit with him. Talk to him. I think you already know he'd like that.”

Then she patted her on the arm before disappearing into the hallway.

“I'll be out here if you need me,” Charlie said in a soft voice. Adele smiled at him.

“Thank you for coming. I've dragged you into this hospital so many times these past few months. I'm sorry.”

“Don't be sorry,” Charlie waved her away. “I'd do it a thousand more times, just like you would for me.

Then he was gone, and it was just Adele in the room.