Ethan nodded, looked at me, and then, holding his breath, asked, “Any more news about Mrs. Heaven-stone?”
“Well, as I’ve told your uncle, apparently, she wasn’t wearing her seat belt. She’s suffered some severe head injuries, I’m afraid. She’s in intensive care. Dr. Neuberger has been called in to examine her. He’s our top neurological surgeon.”
“She’s unconscious?”
“Oh, yes. They may or may not have decided to operate by now. I’ll call up for you,” he added, and looked at me with great sympathy. “Sorry,” he said.
“She’s not my actual mother,” I said. The moment I said it, Ethan released his grip on my hand and gave me a severe look of disapproval.
“Does Mr. Heaven-stone know the extent of Mrs. Heaven-stone’s injuries?” Ethan asked.
“He knows as much as we know at the moment, yes. You can go in to see him,” he added, glanced again at me, and then walked off with the nurse.
Ethan, Uncle Perry, and I entered Daddy’s room slowly. He had his eyes closed.
“Ethan and Sam are here, Ted.”
“Hey, Dad,” Ethan said softly.
Daddy opened his eyes. He looked at him and shook his head.
“What a horrible mess,” he said. Then he turned to me and for a moment looked terribly confused.
“Hi, Daddy.”
“Semantha?”
“I’m sorry you were in a terrible accident, but I’m glad you’ll be all right.”
He simply stared at me and then looked at Ethan, who nodded at the silent thoughts that passed between them.
“I should have waited and not called you,” Ethan said. “I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not your fault. We weren’t going that fast. The driver of that truck told the investigating officer that something blinded him, a flash of light. They’re checking to be sure he wasn’t drinking. I saw no flash of light. We nearly missed going head-on. Who knows? Maybe that would have been better. You know about Lucille?”
“We don’t know any details. Dr. Morris is calling up for us.”
“Good,” Daddy said. He looked at me again.
“Why did you cut your hair like that, Semantha?”
“I felt I needed to,” I said. He closed his eyes. “Do your injuries hurt?”
“Yes,” he said. “They’re not giving me anything strong for pain just yet because of my concussion. I’m such a fool. Lucille wanted us to use the limousine, but I decided to drive us. I don’t know why,” he said. “I don’t know why. I usually worry about having too much to drink. What was in my head?”
Cassie, I thought. Cassie whispered to you. She was in your head.
“It doesn’t sound like you could have prevented the accident, but why wasn’t Lucille wearing her seat belt?” Ethan asked him.
“She was, but the clasp must have snapped open under pressure, so they think she wasn’t wearing it, but the car beeps when someone doesn’t put his or her belt on, so I know she was. I guess that doesn’t make any difference now.” He grimaced with pain.
“Take it easy, Teddy,” Uncle Perry told him. He turned to Ethan. “Maybe we should let him rest.”
Ethan nodded and then, out of the corner of his eye, saw Dr. Morris standing in the hallway. The doctor gestured for Ethan to step out.
“Let me see what’s happening with Lucille,” Ethan said.
“Yes, go on,” Uncle Perry said. He put his arm around me. We both looked at Daddy. “Everything will be all right, Sam. He’s going to be fine.”