Page 97 (1/1)

The queen had arranged for their jet to take us back to the states and it aiting at the airport Chadwick had gone to Rousseau overnight in the queen’s helicopter to retrieve ie had sent food, which amused the queen, but I appreciated it That’s what you did when so a hard time You fed them It was a tradition that crossed all cultures

I called Patricia on the way to the airport and was relieved that Dad had finally woken up I spoke to him briefly; he was still too tired for much Jess and Bert ith him as well and that helped ease so much information with them because they were technically not family, but at least he wasn’t alone That seeht toI had to a real family I did speak with one of the physicians on the way to the airport, but there were no good answers

The cancer cells had been spreading and nothing they tried had helped Dad had refused more chemo and had decided not to tell anyone the extent of the trouble It was very like him to not want anyone else to worry about hiry I felt like he had robbed me of time with him I confronted Dr Bielefeld about my father’s health, but his hands had been tied He had never passed on false information, but under doctor-patient confidentiality, he had only been able to share what Dad told hi able to do more and I believed that he was sincerely sorry

I sleptthat happened the night before My ankle was sprained, so I had been carted around in a wheelchair and had crutches for short distances The one bat-shit crazy e arrived at the airport and I could feel Alex’s anger like a physical force Last night would forever be etched in our ry too, but for thewith the press and I trusted her to do as best Her first es pressed against Alex andht to defend myself

As for Alex, it see rescue personnel from a person in need I had no idea how that worked, but I was saving that to tease Alex with another day I’ Ar in the States, but I chose to ignore them In fact, our official statement was that there was no official state us during a difficult ti us our space I didn’t speak or even look in their direction; Chadwick did all the talking when needed After the debacle with the nightclub, the city had provided police escorts for us and a security tea no chances You’d think ould need protection like this frouns at us, not cameras

We arrived at the front entrance in a wave of sirens and flashing lights Jess, Bert, and aat the doors with a wheelchair Alex helped hness Duchess I ae of the cancer ward I’m sorry to meet you under such terrible circumstances If I can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to letway for my friends

With tears in her eyes, Jess threw her arms around me and then patted edwhen he saw the bruise on s Mostly I could walk if Alex would stop co about ho I ah the doors and into the main lobby A few patients seeave us a hard tie of the cancer ward acted like an a

"How’s Dad?" I looked at Jess

"He hen we caood I just want you to be ready"

I noddedPart of me was terrified of what I’d see and the other part of et it out of the way Some of the staff watched us as alked by, but it didn’t botherto take pictures It wastheir routines It ht a bunch of busy, annoyed nurses would ot to the door, I o in there in a wheelchair"

"I’ll help you" Alex slid an arm around my shoulders to help uys have been all over the news, but I knew you wouldn’t want him to see that," Jess explained

"Thank you"

"We’ll wait out here"

Alex opened the door so I could hobble in first He ht on the bad ankle and we crossed the roo in a chair, knitting Her face was pale and her eyes red I would hug her after I saw my dad He had to come first

"Dad?" I touched his hand, careful to not ht He barely looked like ave irl"