“Patients under psychiatric evaluation aren’t permitted to be left alone while they’re here,” Kathy explained. “It’s for their own safety.”
“My father isn’t crazy, and he isn’t suicidal,” I said, slightly defensive.
“Of course not,” Kathy assured me. “A doctor will speak to you before you leave, but your father has been quite calm since he’s been here, just a little confused. His doctor will have some recommendations for further treatment, but he should be able to go home with you tomorrow.”
“Thank goodness.” My knees felt weak with relief, and I gripped the end of the hospital bed to keep myself upright. Now that I knew my father was all right, the full weight of my fear and anger finally hit me. How dare my siblings do this to him?
“He should be waking up soon,” Kathy said. “If you’d like, I can give you two some time alone. Just page the nurses’ station before you go, so he’s not left alone.”
“That would be great, thank you so much,” I said. Kathy nodded and gave me a last reassuring smile before she left.
I sank into the chair by the head of the bed. “Oh Papa,” I said, a sob choking my voice. “I’m so sorry. I should never have left you alone, and now I’ve made such a mess of everything.” I held his hand, stroking skin that felt thin as paper. How long had my father been so fragile? Surely I would have noticed before now. A tear slipped down my cheek, and I brushed it away quickly. Kathy had said my father would be waking soon, and I didn’t want him to see me cry.
“Isabel.” A voice from the doorway made me jump. My heart thudded in my chest when I realized to whom the voice belonged: Luis.
My husband stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. “Isabel, finally. Where on earth have you been?”
My mouth went dry, and I swallowed hard. “I’ve been away for work, I told you I was going.”
Luis’ face was tight, angry. “One text, that’s all I got. I am your husband, Isabel, and you didn’t even tell me where you were going! Your sisters couldn’t even tell me. What were you thinking?”
“I had to go, Luis, it was a work assignment.” I fought to keep my voice steady, to achieve the calming tone that generally worked to keep Luis from getting too worked up, but calm eluded me. Something in Luis’ manner frightened me, something about the way his eyes darted around the room, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.
“I told you I wanted you to quit that job,” Luis said. “And this is exactly why. You leave for weeks, and I have no idea where you are? That’s not acceptable, Isabel. You wouldn’t even pick up the phone!”
“I know, I’m sorry,” I said. I glanced at my father, praying that he wouldn’t wake up to see this. “But I’m here now, aren’t I?” A thought suddenly occurred to me. “Luis, how did you know I was here?”
Luis hesitated, a shifty look crossing his face. “What do you mean?”
“How did you know to find me here, at the hospital? I only found out my father was here last night, so how did you know?”
Luis finally relented. “What was I supposed to do, Isabel? You left, and I didn’t know where you were, you wouldn’t answer my calls. Your sisters called me, said they were having trouble with your father, that he was being difficult. I knew you would come straight back if you knew he was in the hospital. What else was I supposed to do?” Here, his voice took on a defensive note.
My blood ran cold as his meaning sank in. “You told them,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You told them to have him committed.”
Luis rolled his eyes. “Obviously. It was my only option; you didn’t give me a choice.”
My mind raced. I had to get out of here. Luis was crazy, that much was clear. If he would do this to force me to come home, who knew what else he was capable of doing? But I couldn’t leave my father here alone. My eye fell on the button next to the bed, the one that would send a page to the nurses’ station. Slowly, I edged towards it.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Luis’ voice, cold now, stopped me in my tracks. There was an edge there that I’d never heard him use before, and I didn’t like it. When I looked at him, I knew I was truly in trouble.
In Luis’ hand was a small gun, and he was pointing it right at me.
“Luis,” I said, barely breathing. “What are you doing?”
“I’m reclaiming what’s mine,” Luis said. “Now come here.”
Slowly, on legs that felt like they belonged to someone else, I walked towards him. I had to get him out of here, had to get him away from my father. Luis was dangerous, that much was clear, but I didn’t think he would kill me.