Friday, March 17
Bram’s surgery took 3 hours and he was still in the recovery room. I went down to the hospital cafeteria so I could eat my breakfast. I saw my OB-GYN and told her what happened to Bram and she hoped that he would recover soon.
“Does Connor know?” Dr. Delgado asked me.
I got irritated when I heard the mention of Connor’s name. I shook my head and told her, “I’m not sure if he knows.”
“I’ll tell Connor, darling, don’t worry,” Dr. Delgado said to me, “Also, my dear, I know all of us are concerned with Bram but you are pregnant. I highly recommend that you avoid hospitals. To prevent infections, especially in the respiratory area. We don’t want to take risks. I will call Credence and tell her about this, okay?”
“I understand,” I told my OB-GYN.
“Let’s not take risks, Emma,” Dr. Delgado held my right after arm, “I want you and the baby safe. You’re a nurse, you know this, dear. I’ll see you on April 5.” We said our goodbyes and walked in different directions.
When Dr. Delgado walked towards the parking lot. Chantal moved back to my side and we walked towards the elevator. When we reached Bram’s suite, Mama Credence gave me a surgical mask and told me that Dr. Delgado just called her.
“I’m sorry that I forgot this dear. We don’t want to risk it,” Mama Credence told me. Then she checked the time on her watch and we both stared at Bram. He was now back from the recovery room.
I had lost track of time because I forgot my watch. Bram’s 3-hour surgery started at five in the morning then he stayed for about an hour in the recovery area. It was probably around ten in the morning now.
“When Bram wakes up, you need to tell him that you’re going home to the Glass House, all right?” Mama Credence told me. Then she motioned me to sit on the divan.
I nodded, “Yes, I will.”
“Have you had your breakfast, darling?” Mama Credence asked me again.
“Yes,” I answered, “I met Dr. Delgado at the cafeteria after my breakfast.”
Mama Credence nodded as acknowledgment. Then she sat on the single sofa and stared at Bram again. My back was at Bram’s direction so I looked at my mother-in-law instead. She turned to me and gave me a small smile.
“Someone from the emergency room reported something to me. She said that the respondents who rescued Bram said he was calling your name,” Mama Credence told me. I felt like her eyes were scrutinizing me.
“We talked earlier that night,” I said to Mama Credence, “He went to our house at around eight in the evening. Then Roland decided to cancel his birthday celebration.”
“Ah, that is a piece of the puzzle that I was looking for,” Mama Credence nodded her head, “Is there anything else that I needed to know? Maybe Calla missed something?”
“Roland was the one who told me that Bram…” I paused, then added, “Partied with Alicia.”
Mama Credence nodded again, “We’ll clear things up with Bram when everything is okay.”
I was feeding Bram soup around lunchtime when my phone rang. Mama Credence took over so I could answer the call. I saw Roland’s name on the screen. I excused myself and headed for the door.
“Happy birthday!” I greeted my brother as soon as I pressed the green button and closed the door, “What’s your plan today?”
“I’m not sure,” Roland answered me, “Alicia called,” he added.
My smile disappeared. I ignored the information about Alicia, “I’m going to the glass house after lunch, maybe you can pick me there so we can celebrate?”
“How’s Bram?” Roland asked.
“He’s eating right now,” I answered Roland, “He had his surgery earlier today.”
“I hope he gets better soon,” Roland commented, “What time should I pick you up?”
“I’ll send you a message when I get home, okay?” I answered Roland and we hung up.
I went back inside to Bram’s room and placed my phone back in my bag. When I came back to the bedside, Bram was already done eating. And he and Mama Credence were watching me.
“That was Roland,” I told them.
“What time are you going home?” Bram asked me. He looked pissed. He was scowling at me.
I frowned at him. I was about to get irritated because he was not striking the proper tone but I decided to let this slide. The yacht party issue could wait, “Since you’re done eating I think I could go now,” I answered him. I switched glances between him and Mama Credence.
“Yes dear,” Mama Credence agreed, “I’ll take care of everything here.”
“Fine, go now,” Bram said. He was glaring at me.
I hid my shock with a smile. Bram’s attitude was misplaced but I let it go. I slowly walked away from the bed and got my shoulder bag from the divan. I opened the door and waved them goodbye. Before the door clicked I heard Bram yelled my name but I decided to ignore it and walked away. I took a deep breath and quickly walked towards the elevator. Chantal followed me with quick strides.
“We’re going to the Glass House, Chantal,” I told her when we were inside the car at the parking lot.
“Yes, Madam.” Chantal nodded as acknowledgement.
I was taking a nap when my phone rang. I looked outside, we were now at the expressway. I got my phone out and checked my screen. Bram was calling me.
I shook my head and hit the green button, “Hello?”
“I was calling you! Why didn’t you come back?” Bram yelled on the other line.
I closed my eyes and released a long breath. I reminded myself that Bram just had his surgery and that I should bottle up my rage from the yacht issue, “Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.” I told Bram. I just hoped that white lies could calm him.
“Of course you didn’t!” Bram continued yelling, “You will just go and party with your brother!”
I shook my head. My eyes pooled with tears. That was it! I had enough! I gave out a heavy sigh.
“May I remind you that you partied with Alicia, on a yacht, before all of these things happened?” I yelled at him, “You should be glad you’re in bed right now! Because if you were fine. God knows what despicable words I want to say to you!”
My heart was beating so fast and I could hear my own breath. I felt good after I said those words. Bram had gone quiet on the other line. I paused. I could hear Bram breathing on the other line.
“I hope you realize what you did to us, Bram,” I added, “I want you to get better and then we’ll talk about what you did in that party.” I told him in a clipped voice and I hung up the phone. A tear fell from my eyes and I wiped it away quickly.