A fireman rushed forward to help Jude with the woman. Federales had rolled in with tanks and trucks and semi-automatic weapons and were directing people out of the area as they set up barricades.
Red Cross was at the ready and they took the child from Kate’s arms so she could accompany her mother to the hospital. Kate then turned to Nikki and tended to her wounds as Jude joined the federales and others in clearing the immediate vicinity.
The crowd was successfully pushed back two full blocks when the hotel erupted.
26
“We’re going to be arriving later than anticipated,” Kate delicately explained to her mother on the phone. “Please don’t worry, but we’re still in Mexico City, helping to sort out missing persons reports—and Nik and I took on several traumatized patients, following an explosion.”
Kate didn’t bother telling her mother that she, Nikki and Jude had been involved in the catastrophe as well.
“Katherine,” her mother said with agitation and exasperation, “you missed Charlotte’s bridal shower. Jude missed Denison’s bachelor party. If you miss their wedding—”
“We’re not going to miss their wedding, Mother,” Kate avowed. “It’s not until Friday evening. We’ll be here a few days more, then we’ll fly over.”
“You can’t just show up at the last minute! You’re a bridesmaid, Katherine!”
Not a duty she’d willingly taken on—or had even expected. Though as she’d gotten to know her soon-to-be-sister-in-law better, Kate had relished the idea of standing beside Charlotte during the ceremony.
Unfortunately, that was the extent of the responsibility she’d been able to commit herself to, since she’d been overseas during much of the engagement period. Well, she’d offered endless amounts of solicited advice and had calmed Charlotte’s frayed nerves over one potential wedding mishap or another… But still… Prized bridal-party material that did not make.
Thank God Charlotte’s entire nuptials weren’t predicated on Kate’s appearance one way or the other.
She pulled in a deep breath and assured her mother, “We have no intention of showing up late. We just need to tie some loose ends here.”
“What makes those loose ends so much more significant than your brother’s wedding, Katherine?”
Kate felt the sudden urge to scream. She didn’t, though. Couldn’t, of course.
Myriad emotions and conflicting aggravation welled within her.
She loathed that her mother was so stringent with formality, calling her Katherine with no personal inflection whatsoever.
Beyond that…her mother trivializing what had happened in this latest tragedy in Mexico City twisted Kate’s insides. It was as though anything that occurred beyond her mother’s borders, beyond her backyard, was not worthy of anyone’s time and effort to help reconcile. And that infuriated Kate.
Yet…she knew she couldn’t agonize over someone else’s lack of insightfulness.
Thus, Kate willed an even tone as she said, “Mother, several buildings blew up due to a gas leak. People died. Others were severely injured. Some are still missing in the rubble. Many are traumatized and need mine and Nikki’s help. There are also tourists who have no passports or money because everything they brought with them was destroyed in the fires. Jude has to help them return to their own cities or countries.”
Kate hoped her mother would grasp the severity of the situation. Once again, she inhaled slowly, letting her mother process all that she’d said.
Her mother, in turn, let out a heavy sigh.
“You made a promise to Charlotte,” Betsy Stockman said, completely avoiding the true extent of Kate’s obligations related to the devastation that had occurred.
Rather than tell her mother that Charlotte was not only adult enough to understand the predicament, but also compassionate enough to comprehend Kate couldn’t leave just yet when there was still work to be done, she simply said, “Jude and I will be there. In the morning, on time, precisely at the right spot required of us.”
“You know this is important, Katherine.”
She held her tongue on that one. Yes, she knew her brother’s wedding was important. So was what Kate, Jude and Nikki were doing. But she knew it took a backseat in her mother’s eyes.
The only more critical event would be Kate’s own wedding—her mother’s only daughter getting married.
Oh, the event of the century that will be!
Kate couldn’t think of that now. Instead, she remained focused, telling her mother, “Jude and I will be at the Plaza early enough to handle our duties. I will be there one-hundred percent for Charlotte.”
“Nikki, too,” her mother contended. “She’s a very special guest for our family.”