The emergency room waiting area at the Barstow Community Health Center was nearly empty. Penny sat in a chair in the corner, rocking slowly back and forth.
"Penny?" called a doctor from the door to the waiting area.
She jumped up and practically ran to him.
"How is he? Can I see him?" she asked.
"Your husband has been very badly hurt," the doctor said slowly, carefully.
Penny didn't bother to correct him about the husband part. In fact, she didn't want to correct him.
"He has some broken ribs, and probably some other broken bones," the doctor continued. "But the main problem is that he's been bleeding internally quite a bit. We can't quite figure out where it's coming from and we really need to stop the bleeding."
"But he'll be all right?" Penny asked, more a plea than a question.
"We're doing everything we can," the doctor said, somewhat tentatively.
Penny was stunned. She knew what that meant: Leonard might die.
"He's been calling your name ever since we got him in there, you know," the doctor said, trying to be encouraging. "You two must be very much in love."
"Yes," Penny said, holding back tears. "We are. But can I see him now?"
The doctor looked doubtful and shook his head.
"He's unconscious, and we're working on him. It's not a good idea. There's a lot of blood."
And Penny was alone again. She needed some fresh air, and asked the receptionist where she could go.
"There's a courtyard right down this hallway to the right. But don't go too far – if the doctors decide they have to operate they'll need you to sign a release."
Penny walked down the hall, headed for the courtyard. Before she got to it, though, she noticed a small, dimly lit room on the left. It was the hospital chapel. She wasn't sure why, but she went in.
There were a few rows of pew-like benches. She sat on one and kneeled self-consciously.
"Umm, it's been a while, sorry. But I'm not here for me now," Penny began awkwardly.
"It's about Leonard. I don't even think he believes in You. But that shouldn't matter, should it? Because he's a good man. No. He's a wonderful man. He's the kindest, gentlest, most generous man I have ever known. And he loves me so much." The words stuck in her throat, so much that she could barely speak. She had never been so scared. She had to keep trying, though.
"The thing is, I love him so much too. I don't tell him enough. And now maybe I'll never be able to," she began to sob.
"The thing is, I need Leonard. He's what keeps me going. I really need him. I really, really need him. Please don't take him away from me," and she collapsed onto the floor, crying.