"Well, good," he said, opening up the hospital door for her. As she stepped inside, their eyes locked for a split second before Kim glanced away.
"I'm sure I'll see you upstairs," he said casually as he turned down a long, narrow hallway.
Kim paused for a moment, glancing after him. She realized that she was warm. She pulled off her glove and held a hand to her cheek. Either she was getting a fever, or she was still blushing. She thought back to his grin, which she had decided was definitely one of the sexiest she'd seen. She had a feeling she knew why she was warm.
Watch yourself, she commanded. He may be nice, but she had little desire to end up in a cold, unhappy marriage with a man who worked night and day. And at this point, she wasn't much interested in a casual fling. At least not with Tony. It was too complicated with his working with her father. She had best focus on the matter at hand. She picked up her pace as she headed toward the elevator.
"Dad? Dad, it's me. Kim." Kim paused as she waited for a reaction. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost noon. Time for her to leave. She patted his hand. "I slept at the house last night. I hope you don't mind." She left out the part about driving his car. If he was awake, that might be enough to send him back into cardiac arrest.
His eyes fluttered and he opened them. "Kim?" he said in a voice that was barely audible.
"Hi, Dad," Kim said, her eyes welling with tears.
Her father squeezed her hand. "Thank you... for coming."
Kim nodded. She couldn't think of anything else to say.
"My throat..." he began. "So dry."
"Want some ice?" Kim asked, anxious for something to do. Her father gave her a slight nod.
She stepped back out into the hall and hurried to the nurses' station. Melva was sitting behind the desk. "Ice" Kim said, in a low, anxious whisper. "My father wants some ice."
"He's awake?" Melva asked, exchanging a glance with the nurse next to her. Kim nodded. "He's awake and he wants some ice," she repeated, as though his very life depended on it.
Melva shot Kim a glance that said, "Calm down" as she filled a Styrofoam cup with some chipped ice and began to walk quickly back toward Kim's father's room. She pushed open the door. "Good morning, Dr. Risson. Here's your ice."
He nodded. He tried to sit up but was too weak. Melva skillfully grabbed his arm and helped move him up on the bed as Kim stood helplessly off to the side. Like a feeble old man, her father accepted the ice from Melva and attempted to suck on the chips.
Melva began to take his blood pressure. "You have a lovely daughter, Dr. Risson," she said. "She's been here with you every day."
Kim's father gave Kim an appreciative smile. "Yes," he said simply. Melva finished taking his blood pressure, marked it down on his chart, and walked out of the room, leaving father and daughter alone once more.
"Kim," he said, storing at her with tears in his eyes. "So much time..." His voice trailed off. He smiled at her weakly. ""You've grown up."
Kim nodded. "Yes."
"How did you find out about me... my heart attack?" "Dr. Harkavey called. He got my number out of your address book."
Harold nodded. "And you came," he said weakly, as though he didn't quite believe it.
Kim nodded. She paused, biting her lower lip. "Of course. You're my... my dad."
He smiled. "I'm happy you... thank you for coming." he stammered, putting the cup of ice back down on his bedside table. He closed his eyes briefly from exhaustion and pain. He gingerly slid back down on his pillows.
"How long..." he said, his voice heavy with sleep. "How long can you stay?"
She didn't hesitate. "As long as you need me."
He opened his eyes once more and again attempted to smile. "Thank you, Kim."
After her father had fallen back asleep, Kim wandered back toward the waiting room. She stepped inside and hesitated. She had begun to hate this room. She felt so sorry for the people who had come and gone since she had arrived. Some left crying, others left hopeful, but all left exhausted. She glanced out the window and saw Tony step out of the elevators. She immediately walked into the hall, happy to see a familiar face. "Dr. Hoffman," she called out.
He stopped and turned around. "Kim," ha said, his face brightening as he walked toward her.
"My dad's doing much better," she said.
"That's what Dr. Harkavey said. I was just speaking with him. He said your father was already quizzing him about his medications. A positive sign."
Kim grinned.
Tony caught himself staring into Kim's tired, big brown eyes. He felt sorry for her. She looked like she was in dire need of a break from all the stress. "Look," he said, hesitating. "I could really use a cup of coffee. Would you care to join me?"
Kim nodded, anxious to avoid the waiting room. "That sounds good," she said, happy for the distraction.
Kim and Tony took the elevator to the main floor. As Tony led her through the cafeteria, she said, "Thanks, again for last night. Helping me get my dad's address and everything."
"Sure," he said as he poured them both a cup of coffee.
"I've got this," Kim announced, nodding toward her purse as she picked up her Styrofoam cup and headed for the cashier. "That's all right," he said.
"No. I insist," she said adamantly. She didn't want it to appear even slightly romantic. He was not buying her coffee, nor did she even want the issue to arise.
"Well, thanks. I owe you one." He followed Kim to an empty table near the window and sat down across from her. "So," he said.