Chapter 14
Anne's eyes fluttered open and she knew immediately where she was once again. This was the last place she wanted to be. As her eyes focused on her daughter, asleep on the chair, Anne
realized it was time to go home.
"Kelsey," Anne called, her voice barely a whisper.
When Kelsey didn't stir, Anne called her name again, this time slightly louder. She reached over onto her tray and fumbled around until she found an empty plastic cup. She flipped it in
Kelsey's direction, hitting her daughter's leg before falling onto the floor.
Kelsey heard the cup hit the floor and was immediately awake. Looking over at the bed, she was overjoyed to see her mother awake and somewhat alert. She rushed over and gave her mom a
hug.
"Mom!"
"Kelsey, it's not home. I want to go home," demanded Anne.
"Let's see what the doctor says."
"I don't care. I need to be at home."
"Okay, mom. Let's get the nurse in here first and then we'll talk to Dr. Nielson and see what he says."
While the doctor was examining Anne, Kelsey stepped out into the corridor and walked over to the Visitor's Lounge. She was glancing at the Post when the door opened. She looked up from
the paper to find Toby standing in the doorway, looking more rumpled than usual. He was holding two Styrofoam cups.
"Is everything all right?" he asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
"The doctor's in with her now."
"Here," he said, handing her a cup. "I wasn't sure how you take your coffee. So…"
Kelsey smiled as he pulled sugar and creamer packets out of his pants pocket.
"Thanks."
She gratefully accepted the cup of coffee and took a generous sip of the warm liquid.
"How's Anne doing?"
"Stubborn as always. She wants to go home."
"Is that wise?"
"You know how she feels about this issue," replied Kelsey as she ran a hand through her hair.
"I need to call Leo."
"I already did. He said to take as much time as you need. C.J. is going to let Danny know what's going on too. Is there anything else I can do to help?"
"Keep my mind off of everything that's going on right now," she replied.
"How?"
"Tell me about the President's secret plan to fight inflation."
Toby smiled and hugged Kelsey to him.