GoodReadAfter wrapping up a grueling meeting, Jeffrey snatched his car keys and hurried downstairs, intent on picking up Karen.
As he neared the villa, his cell phone rang.
A quick glance, a curse under his breath.
"Damn it!" The woman was like a bad penny.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe pulled over to the curb and answered the call.
"What now?" "Jeffrey." Paige's voice was a choked sob, her throat raw, "Our girl, she's in the hospital, you need to come, now." Jeffrey's brow furrowed, "I'm not going.” "I didn't tell you before, but she has a congenital heart defect. She could die at any time. Please, just come see her. The doctors say it's serious, they're afraid she won't make it through the surgery.” "| said, I'm not coming." With that, Jeffrey hung up.
But he didn't start the car right away. Instead, he grabbed his pack of cigarettes, tapped it, pulled one out, and lit it with a flick of his lighter.
What a day from hell.
He finished his cigarette, flicking it out the car window.
Turning the ignition, he continued toward the villa, but then slammed on the brakes, grabbed his phone, and called Karen.
"Hey?" Karen's end was quiet, just the sound of keyboard clacking.
"I, uh, got caught up with an unexpected meeting at work, no clue when it'll wrap up. Order something for yourself; don't wait up for me." "What?" Karen grumbled, "I've been waiting for you since morning. I'm starving.” "Sorry, babe, it's out of my hands. Everett's not around, so | have to step up. Just eat something, or | can order for you, and have it delivered. How about seafood?" "No way. I'm watching my figure. Just something simple will do. You focus on work. | was just teasing. I'll finish up here and pop over to the supermarket. | won't starve.” Jeffrey bit his lip, his voice tinged with guilt, "Alright." Karen added, "Wait! Any idea when you might be back? If it's late, | might swing by my cousin's. You know how he's been stewing. Mom says he's been holed up in his room, and she told me to check on him." "Because of us?" "Of course not!" "Because of Dorothy?" "Ugh, he knows he can't compete with Everett, and he's just being stubborn." "Okay, then go. You can take any car from the garage. Don't bother with cabs; they're not safe." "Got it." With that, Karen ended the call.
Jeffrey ran his fingers through his hair in frustration before texting Paige.
[Which hospital?] Karen tidied up and headed straight for Kenneth's place.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmSurely he'd have food, and she couldn't be bothered to shop.
She parked at the downstairs of Kenneth's building and dashed up the stairs.
Knock after knock, but no answer.
"Kenneth, open up. It's me, Karen." With no response, she wondered if Kenneth had stepped out.
As she reached for her phone, faint footsteps echoed from within.
The door swung open, revealing Kenneth's ghostly pale face, his lips drained of color.
"Bro! What's wrong with you?!" Kenneth tried to brush it off as nothing, then collapsed.
Karen quickly dialed 911.
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