Whispered Curses

"You said she's in Vancouver right now?"

I nodded, my mind starting to fire at full speed. "Yes. So I'm sorry to take off on you, but I'm going to have to book a flight, and pack. And, I guess get a hotel room near the hospital if it's far away from Uncle Nick."

Eric squeezed my hand. "Take a big breath in, then blow it out slowly."

While I did that, he grabbed his phone from the nightstand and made a call. "Good morning Patricia. I'm going to need the plane this morning. To Vancouver. Two passengers, as quickly as possible." He paused. "Yes, thank you. I don't know which hotel yet, I'll text you when I have an approximate location. Thanks."

I snapped my mouth shut from where it had fallen open. "You can just… Do that?"

"Yes. Get dressed while we talk."

We both got up and started pulling our clothes on. "Do you want me to come with you?" he asked. "I can send you on your own if you'd prefer, but I'd like to be there for you if you want me."

"Don't you have to work?"

He smiled sweetly. "The essential things I can all do from my phone. Patricia will cancel any meetings today, and keep me on top of everything."

“Wow."

He reached across the corner of the bed to grab my hand. "Eden, don't think about my work. Let me help. Do you want me to come with you?"

I nodded. "Yes. Thank you."

Eric stroked my hair. "Don't worry. Your mom is going to be fine. They have great hospitals there."

I glanced at my phone, seeing that Eva had sent me a text. "She’s at Vancouver General Hospital," I said.

"Good. Pack some clothing, and whatever you need to survive. Like your laptop for school. Anything else, I can buy you while we're there."

He grabbed his phone again. "Patricia? I'll need a room at a hotel very close to Vancouver General." He turned to me. "What's your mom's full name?"

"Penelope Palmer."

"Did you catch that? Please contact the hospital to make sure that she's upgraded to the best private room they have. And a private nurse, if possible. Thank you."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was also distracted from trying to pull my tiny rolling suitcase from the top shelf of the closet. Before I could blink, Eric was there lifting it down as if it weighed nothing.

"Thank you so much," I started, I can't even–"

Eric placed a finger on my lips. "Let's talk on the plane. For now, grab everything you need for the next several days. Bring your books and school work."

I barely knew what was happening, but I was being hurried out the door. As I locked up, Eric took my suitcase and shoulder bag.

“Will we stop by your place to get some things?" I asked.

He shook his head, smiling slightly as I headed for the elevator. "I have a suitcase already on the plane, and a spare laptop. I'm good."

"Oh. Wow."

"Angie and I never know when we might have to make a break for it to show up early for a presentation," he explained. "So we each have a tiny closet on the plane, just in case."

I didn't recall him calling for a cab, but there was one in front of the building. I’d never been to the little island airport before. Even though I was stressed out of my mind, the ninety-second ferry ride was almost fun.

My head was spinning as Eric led me to a gleaming white plane, and up the steps.

“Hello again, Mr. Stone. Welcome aboard." A nice motherly lady in a sharp gray suit dress guided us aboard.

"Hi, Andrea. Sorry for the rush. This is Eden."