“We’re smokin’ now,” Lola said, standing up, her closed fist shooting into the air.

“I hate hospitals,” Pete Danson said, as they walked down a long hallway that smelled of alcohol and disinfectant. He looked around at scurrying nurses and busy doctors, all carrying clipboards, stethoscopes hanging around their necks or sticking out of their pockets. Carts clattered, and the loudspeaker blared. “I always thought hospitals, like libraries, were quiet places. You can’t think in places like this with all the noise. Nurses don’t rustle anymore. They don’t wear those perky little caps either,” he said fretfully. “I used to visit my mother a lot in the beginning,” he said by way of explanation for voicing his opinion.

“I’m not fond of hospitals myself,” Boomer said. “I think this is the burn unit. Let me check with the desk.”

Pete shuddered. Where was Andy? He saw him a moment later. Andy looked like he’d been to hell and back. Pete clapped him on the back.

“Thanks for coming, Pete,” Andy said, his voice ringing with pleased surprise.

“Boomer’s here, too. He’s at the desk. Do you know anything?”

“Only that Arnie told me to get my fucking ass out of here. He said I was the reason Amy was here. He thinks…he thinks that Amy’s and my relationship made her do what she did. I didn’t have the guts to tell him differently. He’s calling the shots, and they won’t let me see her. I can look through the glass because I’m her brother, but that’s it. Maybe I should go home.”

“You should only do what feels right, Andy. You’re Amy’s brother. The way I see it, you have every right to be here.”

Boomer returned, his badge in his hand. “I had to use some clout,” he said, hooking the badge back onto his belt. “It’s not good, Andy. In fact, it’s touch-and-go. The husband doesn’t want you here, according to the nurse. I straightened her right out. You can stay as long as you like. Pete and I will stay with you.”

“You don’t have to do that. I appreciate your coming here at all. Only friends would do that. I wish there was some way Amy could know we’re all here. Arnie won’t even come out of the room. He’s all dressed up in surgical gear and has to wear a mask. Germs. I called my mother, and she said I needed to stop being an alarmist.” He threw his hands in the air. Jill led him to a chair in a small waiting room.

“Did anyone call Cady?” Jill asked.

The three men looked at one another, then shook their heads. “Well, don’t you think she has a right to know? Did it ever occur to any of you that she might want to be here, too? No, I guess not.” Disgust rang in Jill’s voice.

“Considering the circumstances, I don’t think…” It was as far as Boomer got before Jill interrupted him.

“I’m going to call her. The decision to come or not is hers to make, not yours. What kind of friends are you, anyway? You are so dumb when it comes to women.” The anger in her voice was so strong the three men took a step backward as they tried to comprehend what she was saying. Jill trotted off in search of a pay phone.