Chapter 53

Derek arrived to the Heart and Vascular ICU at Jersey City Hospital in Jersey City. When he had arrived, a LPN had directed him to the lounge area for patients’ families.

“Derek,” Deidre whimpered as she ran to him.

The siblings embraced.

Their mother rose from the couch with the dignity of a queen.

There were six other people in the waiting room. They didn’t seem to pay much attention to them.

“Mother,” Derek began. “What happened?”

“We’re not entirely sure,” his mother answered. “I just got a call two hours ago that an ambulance had brought your father here. They had found him . . . in bed at a condo building, having severe chest pains. According to the EMTs, he could barely speak through the pain, but he was able to tell them to call his regular cardiologist in New York. They had all his information including his emergency contact, meaning me.”

“So, they called you and you came?” Derek g