Chapter 37
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Bianca found out what she could. Congressman Odonnell had suffered a heart attack in his hotel room, his wife Amy had called 911. Bianca soon saw the ambulance taking him away. It was sad to see him looking so weak. Even at his age Odonnell had seemed so healthy. Amy was allowed to ride in the ambulance. If these were truley her husband's final moments, he would at least be comforted by his wife in the end. Bianca also saw the other old man she'd seen with the congressman. Whoever he was he looked pretty rattled by this turn of events. Bianca's natural instinct was to comfort this old man, whose name was Patrick.
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Bianca: Are you okay?
Patrick: He saved my life. He can't die before me.
Bianca: Why don't we go to the hospital, find out if he's okay?
Patrick: Yes, I should go. Do you know where he's being taken?
Bianca: I was thinking I should drive, or my Secret Service agent.
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Bianca asked agent Walsh to drive them both to the hospital. Before they left Bianca got this man some water. Patrick regained some of his composure during the drive.
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Patrick: Thank you for helping me ms Montgomery.
Bianca: It was the least I could do, he's my friend too.
Patrick: He saved my life in Korea. Ryan should have run for president 12 years ago, he would have made a great one.
Bianca: I have no doubt.
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Just as they arrived at the hospital Bianca got a call. She was ready to just let it go to voicemail, until she saw it was from Maggie. Maggie sounded hysterical.
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Bianca: Yes Maggie?
Maggie: Are you okay? There's stuff on the news, one of the speakers at the JStreet conference, being taken away in an ambulance.
Bianca: Yeah, it was congressman Odonnell.
Maggie: Am I selfish for being glad it's not you.
Bianca: No. I'm at the hospital now, hoping he's okay.
Maggie: I hope so too, he's a good man. Have you eaten?
Bianca: I sort of missed lunch in all this chaos.
Maggie: Promise me you'll eat something. A sandwich, a candy bar. Anything so I know you haven't relapsed.
Bianca: Okay, I promise.
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Bianca and Patrick found Odonnell's wife Amy, she said her husband was brought into surgery. Patrick comforted Amy while Bianca got them all some food from the cafateria. It was important for all of them to keep up their strength, especially a recovering anarexic like Bianca. Congressman Ali and congresswoman Vancamp soon arrived, hoping that this good man had not yet departed. These five were united in their friendship with him. Bianca knew that tomorrow she'd have to resume campaigning. But right now, she just wanted to be here for her friends.