Rose of Betrayal Read Online Free PDF Page B

.”

 
                The
truth was on the end of Brad's tongue when a familiar face materialized.   Placing a strong supportive arm around Brad’s
shoulders Ralph answered for him.   “Yes,
he is.   I am Ralph Hearsh ,
a close friend.   You can see he's quite
shaken.”

 
                Brads
constricted throat suffocated the intended denial.   He leaned into Ralph.   For the first time since anxiety leashed him,
there was someone he could depend upon.   Ralph would have it no other way; his whispered reassurances served to
somewhat relax the worried lines on Brad's face.   “It's O.K., son.   I'm here for both of you.   We'll see this through together.”   

 
                Evelyn's
gentle gray eyes caressed Brad’s eyes.   After twenty-five years as a nurse, her heart still ached for the
members of victims' families.   “She's
been taken to the O.R.   I can assure you
your wife is receiving the finest care.   Though I'm not at liberty to discuss her condition, nurse Shay will
gladly show you to the consulting room where the doctor will meet with you
after the surgery.”
    For a brief moment,
excitement darted across Brad's features.    “You mean I'm not too late?   She's
alive.   She's going to be all right?”

 
                “Please, Mr. Peterson, you must
collect yourself for her sake.”   Evelyn's
glance relaying her fear found Ralphs before returning to Brads.   “All I can tell you is she was rushed into
the O.R. immediately upon arrival.   I am
so sorry it does not look encouraging. Her condition is listed as critical.”
Unable to look any longer at the contortions afflicting the men's pitiful faces
Evelyn lowered her gaze.   She despised
the unsettling part of her job that required preparing family for the worst.

 
                Reluctant to listen to another word,
filled with overwhelming intentions of finding Sam, Brad spun around, his eyes
anxiously searching out a route.   “I've
got to go to her,” he babbled. To his relief, nurse Shay grabbing his arm began
leading the way. Having difficulty keeping up the pace, Ralph followed.  

 
                Once inside a dreary, windowless
room, Brad began pacing the worn tiled floor.   Filled with uncertainty, Ralph was relieved no one else was there to
share the vigil.   What would happen when
the hospital learned Brad was not Sam's husband, he fretted.   Especially if or when Ted arrived, although
Ralph sincerely doubted he would under the circumstances.   Surely, this was the one time Ted would
regret crossing Brad's path.   He could
only pray his presence might prevent the inevitable.   Considering the differences steeping for far
too long, once Brad learned the whole story surely there would be a fight
between estranged friends.   Ralph cringed
at the mere thought of what Brad’s capabilities might be.

 
                Knowing the futility of insisting
that Brad sit, Ralph eased himself onto a chair, his eyes scanning the
depressing room where solace was a stranger.   The gravity of Sam’s condition combined with watching his young friend
pace like a tiger waiting for its prey was ripping Ralph’s heart open.    Tears became a stream running the course of
his cheeks while he quietly prayed for the two people he loved.    

 
                In between pacing, several times
Brad entered the hall in search of any one that might give him answers.   Watching his every move, Ralph wondered when
Brad would fold.   Hours later, his young
friend collapsed into a chair alongside him.   Eyes focused on a wall, smudged and yellow, they watched the black arms
of a clock creep around a dial with excruciating slowness.  
    Bent over, elbows
resting on his knees, fingers laced to prop his chin, Brad's mind began sifting
through the debris of the past.

 
 
 
    CHAPTER 6
     

 
    “SEPTEMBER 2010”