He checked his phone.
No answer.
Called.
Voicemail.
Again.
Nothing.
At 10:37, a nurse entered and quietly asked Wade to step into the hallway.
Lily immediately objected.
“Why?”
“Just adult talk.”
“I’m an adult patient.”
The nurse smiled sadly.
“No.”
Wade stepped outside.
A police officer waited.
State highway patrol.
Snow melting across his shoulders.
The officer asked:
“Are you Wade Mercer?”
Wade’s body knew before his mind did.
“Yes.”
“Do you know Aaron Hart?”
“Yes.”
“Mr. Hart was involved in a collision on Route 31 at approximately 10:02.”
Wade stared.
The officer continued.
“His vehicle crossed the center line after being struck by another car that lost control.”
“He was transported to St. Anne’s.”
Wade heard himself ask:
“Alive?”
The officer’s face answered first.
“I’m sorry.”
Everything after that became noise.
Driver in the other car survived.
Ice.
No alcohol suspected.
Aaron died during emergency surgery.
Wallet contained Wade’s number as secondary emergency contact.
Hospital staff were trying to reach Lily’s records.
No one had told her.
Wade returned to the room.
Sat beside her.
Said nothing.
She asked where Dad was.
Wade said doctors were trying to get information.
Not exactly a lie.
Not truth.
Then child life brought the toy medical kit to distract her.
Lily found the pink handcuffs.
Clicked one side around her own wrist.
One around Wade’s.
“Now you can’t leave.”
Wade stared at it.
Lily smiled.
“Dad said you always run when feelings happen.”
Wade looked toward the ceiling.
“Aaron.”
She laughed.
Then the security officer arrived.
And the phone delivered the message.
After Lily fell asleep, the hospital social worker came.
Her name was Marlene Ortiz.
Mid-fifties.
Gentle voice.
Eyes that missed nothing.
She stood near the foot of the bed.
Wade remained cuffed to Lily.
Marlene glanced at the toy.
“You know you can remove that.”
“No.”
She nodded.
Good.
She pulled over a chair.
“The police confirmed Mr. Hart’s death.”
Wade’s face hardened.
“Don’t say it loud.”
“I won’t.”
“Does she know?”
“She understands something is wrong.”
Wade looked toward Lily.
“She thinks he’s coming back.”
Marlene nodded.
“We should tell her soon.”
“We?”
“You don’t have to do it alone.”
Wade almost laughed.
Nothing about the night made sense.
“Marlene.”
“Yes?”
“I’m not her guardian.”
“The recording—”
“Recording says papers.”
“Papers aren’t here.”
“Exactly.”
“The hospital contacted the attorney listed in Aaron’s emergency file.”
Wade stared.
Marlene continued.
“He confirmed there is a signed standby guardianship designation naming Wade Mercer.”
Wade shook his head.
“No.”
“Mr. Mercer.”
“No.”
“You need to listen.”
“I listened to Aaron.”
“That was enough.”