He spun around to Bill, his pale face streaked with tears. “This bitch won’t let me in to see Eddie because she’s says it’s family only.” He turned back to her and said, “Let me see my lover before I tear your fucking throat out.”
She glanced at Bill and said, nervously, “It’s hospital rules. Family only.”
Bill led Waldo through the crowded waiting room to an empty seat. “Wait here, Waldo, while I talk to her.”
“I am his family,” Waldo said brokenly. “Billy, tell her.”
He returned to the nurse who looked warily at him. “I’m sorry about my friend. He’s really upset, that’s all. Can you tell me what’s happening with Eddie Goodman?”
“Are you related to Mr. Goodman?”
“I’m his friend and I just want to know how he’s doing.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t give out that information unless you’re related.”
“All we want to know is what’s wrong with him.”
“I can’t help you. I’m sorry.”
A harried, white-coated man emerged from the suite of rooms behind her, glanced at Bill and smiled.
“Bill?” he said approaching him. “What are you doing here?”
A year earlier he had sold John Owen and his lover a beautifully restored Queen Anne cottage on Eureka Street.
“Hey, Doc. My friend Eddie Goodman is back there and I was trying to get some information from this lady, but she says she can’t tell me anything because I’m not family.”
“It’s hospital rules, Doctor.”
Owen said, “Sometimes we bend the rules, Nurse.” He said to Bill, “Goodman? Is that the name?”
“Yes,” Bill said. “See the redhead over there? Waldo is Eddie’s lover. He called me and said Eddie was really sick but that’s all I know.”
“Wait here,” the doctor said.
A few minutes later, Owen returned. “Eddie Goodman, yeah, we’re going to admit him, Bill. Not sure what’s going on with him but it could be meningitis.”
“Can Waldo see him?”
“He’s about to be moved up to a ward. You can see him after that. Don’t worry,” he said, glancing at the nurse. “You won’t have any more problems. I’ll personally take you to him.”
“So,” Bill asked, after he had explained Eddie’s status to Waldo, “what happened?”