She awoke a short time later feeling more exhausted than she could ever remember. But the exhaustion was quickly forgotten, replaced by the reality that Niles wouldn't be coming over for an unannounced visit. Instead he lay in a coma, far away from the world around him and something told her that he may never come back.
Suddenly her chest began to hurt so badly that she clutched her body in pain. A sob escaped, followed by another and another. Oh God, when was this going to end?
Forcing herself to calm her sadness, she drifted her eyes and pulled on her robe. Worrying like this wasn't doing anyone any good.
But when she walked into the living room, she froze at the sight of Martin who was in his chair, clad in his green robe, staring at the flickering television. A closer look confirmed that he was crying as he watched the screen and she knew without a doubt that he wasn't watching his favorite program.
As quickly and quietly as possible, she moved closer, but he continued to stare at the screen. And the images she saw there were heartbreaking; pictures of the wreck, that horrible, horrible wreck. The car was mangled beyond anyone's imagination followed by endless chatter about Niles and his prestige and stature within the Emerald City.
Bloody hell, is that all that anyone cared about? Someone's stature and prestige? Didn't the kind of person he was matter at all? He was warm, caring, considerate, thoughtful and she loved him so much. She gasped at the thought but the fact that it came so easily surprised her even more.
When she looked at the old man, again she smiled. Martin was sound asleep, Eddie in his lap. Lovingly she went to the sofa and grabbed a blanket, draping it across Martin's shoulders. "Goodnight, Mr. Crane." She whispered.
As she pointed the remote to the television to turn down the sound, she sighed deeply. The news made her so angry that she wanted to throw something, anything.
"At this moment, there's been no word on Dr. Niles' Crane's condition, but medical evidence shows that the longer a person is in a coma of this type, the less likely they are to survive."
She gasped in horror as her trembling hand went to her mouth. "No…"
The angry word emerged as a harsh whisper as she turned off the television in frustration, and she realized that she couldn't stay there another moment. She needed Niles badly, even if it was only for a little while.
Looking around for a blank piece of paper, any piece of paper, she intended to write a note to explain her absence. But her shaking hand made writing impossible. Surely the Crane men would know where she was. For the past several days, nothing else mattered but the fate of the youngest Crane man.
And as expected, the thought of him tore at her heart yet again. Hot tears blurred her eyes as she retreated to her room and quickly changed her clothes. It didn't take her long to pick out the perfect outfit. And after running a brush spritzed with perfume through her hair, she glanced into the mirror, somewhat dismayed at her appearance. She looked absolutely gorgeous.
She looked as though she was going out on a date instead of….
The reality of what was happening faded into a shudder and she choked back yet another sob.
It was said that love was a powerful healer, but perhaps friendship would prove to be just as effective. If not, there were always prayers.