wardrobe? And do you want me to call anyone to bring you some personal effects?”
“Personal effects?” Her brain didn’t comprehend, and she stared at the nurse.
Marcela smiled. “Don’t worry. The concussion makes your thinking slow, but our doctors have everything under control. You have to stay here overnight for observation so you might ask a relative or friend to bring over a few necessities like a toothbrush, comb, and a nightgown. Unless you prefer the sexy hospital robe you’re wearing.”
Gwen looked down at the white hospital gown and shook her head. “Ouch.”
“Easy. Don’t move your head.”
“I noticed. Thanks for the offer; I’ll call a friend.” This time, she remembered to move her head slowly and gestured with her good hand to the cell phone on the nightstand. The nurse handed it to her.
“Well then, I’ll be back to check on you. If you fall asleep, I’ll wake you every two hours to make sure you awaken easily.”
Gwen wrinkled her nose, and the nurse laughed.
“I know. Not fun, but necessary. Head injuries need to be watched closely.”
Wonderful.
She thanked the nurse, then sent a quick text message to Vivian after the door had closed behind her.
Viv – was in car accident. Held hostage in the hospital, but ok. Concussion and broken wrist. Room 548. Visit tomorrow?
She pushed the send button, then leaned back and let her eyes close. Her eyelids simply refused to stay open a second longer.
Chapter 17
It was his first day off from work, and Fernando arrived at the probation office with his employment contract in hand, hoping to see Gwen and talk to her for a few minutes. “Good morning, I’m here to see Gwen Cohen.”
The receptionist looked at him. “Your name? Do you have an appointment?”
He lifted the work contract. “Fernando Garcia. I don’t have an appointment but needed to drop this off to her.” Truth be told, it was a lame excuse to see Gwen. The contract could have waited another week. Fernando not so much.
“You can give it to me. I’ll see that it gets to the right person.”
“The right person? I don’t understand. Gwen Cohen is the right person. She’s my probation officer.”
“Not as of this morning. You’ve been assigned to Gerald Peters. He’ll be contacting you to set up your next meeting.”
“Wait. Why have I been reassigned?” Disappointment settled in his stomach, followed closely by anguish.
“Miss Cohen is unavailable right now.” The receptionist furrowed her brows at his insistent questions, and Fernando felt his temper rise. What right did this woman have to dismiss him like that? He had a right to know!
“Why?” The question came out louder than he’d wanted and he closed his eyes for a moment to find his calm. It wouldn’t do any good to put up a fight, in the probation office of all places. “I’m sorry, but has something happened?”
The woman looked down her nose at him, even from her seated position. “Mr. Garcia. I’m not at liberty to give out that kind of information. Have a good day.”
Frustration took over, and he longed for either a good fight or a cold shower. As neither was available, he opted for a glass of water and stopped at the water cooler on his way out. Just when he gulped down his second glass, he heard someone mention Gwen’s name and choked on the water. Coughing, he only caught fragments of the conversation between two of her colleagues passing by.
“…hospital…car accident…concussion.”
His stomach clenched, and he forced himself to stop coughing and quietly followed the two women along the hallway. “She’s at La Selva Hospital?”
“Yes. We could drop by after work and see how she’s doing.”
“I think they’re releasing her today.”
Fernando had heard enough and bypassed them, rushing down the stairs, taking three steps at once. He had to see Gwen and make sure she was okay.
Walking across town, his mind went in a hundred different directions. I’ve never
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