Chapter 14
"Mr. Howard said he's super swamped and ain't coming," Mary said, looking all worried.
Margaret thought, 'Did he not send Mom money? Then Dad...'
Margaret glanced around, lifted the covers and the pillow, but something was missing.
"Ms. Hughes, what are you looking for?" Mary put the soup on the bedside table, looking puzzled. "Tell me, and I'll help you find it."
Margaret asked, "Where's my phone? Where'd you hide my phone?"
Mary replied, "Mr. Howard took it."
Raymond actually took her phone? No wonder Nancy couldn't reach her.
Margaret panicked and grabbed her hand, pleading, "Mary, can I use your phone? It's urgent."
Mary said, "Ms. Hughes, it's not that I'm stingy, but Mr. Howard said if I want to earn this money, I gotta hand over my phone until you're fully recovered. I don't have my phone on me either."
Mary waved her hand. She was telling the truth. She had taken care of many patients, but this was the first time she was asked to hand over her phone.
She had thought about quitting this job, but Raymond paid very well, and she was tempted.
Margaret pulled out the needle from the back of her hand and lifted the gray blanket, trying to get out of bed, but Mary held her down. "Ms. Hughes, you're still very weak. You can't get out of bed."
Margaret said, "Mary, let him come see me. There's no time to lose; lives are at stake."
Margaret looked at Mary, her eyes dry. She realized she couldn't cry anymore, her throat hoarse.
Mary remained silent.
Margaret took off the wedding ring from her finger, the only gift Raymond had ever given her, which she had always been reluctant to sell.
The large diamond ring was placed in Mary's hand. "This ring is worth a hundred thousand dollars. I'll give it to you if you can find a way to bring him here."
Mary's throat tightened, and she put the ring back on Margaret's slender finger.
Margaret's heart sank.
"Ms. Hughes, I’m not money-minded. Stay in bed, and I'll go use the public phone to contact Mr. Howard." Mary tucked her back in. "You're weak; don't catch a cold."
Mary was the only person in these few days who had been warm and kind to her.
Her nose tingled, and clear tears fell onto the gray blanket. She bit her lip and murmured, "Thank you."
"Ms. Hughes, no need to thank me. If you could say a few good words for me in front of Mr. Howard, that would be even better." Mary smiled, left the bedroom, and closed the door.
Margaret didn't know what Mary did, but Raymond really came.
The bedroom door was pushed open at 7 PM.
She looked up and saw Raymond, tall and wearing a black coat, standing at the door.
The cold and disdainful look in his eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses made her whole body tremble with fear.
Raymond entered, pulled up a chair, and sat by her bed.
The bedroom door opened again.
Mary came in with a bowl of soup, smiling apologetically at Raymond. "Mr. Howard, I made this soup for Ms. Hughes. It's the best for patients."
Raymond's gaze fell to the floor, not responding, looking aloof.
Mary felt very awkward.
Margaret took the bowl from her hands, smiling to ease the tension. "Mary, thank you. Give it to me."
Mary smiled gratefully, then closed the bedroom door and left.
Raymond spoke indifferently, still not looking at her, "Mary said you wanted to see me?"
Margaret held the soup and stared at him. "Raymond, how is my father?"
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