Time slowed to a crawl. Ricky hadn’t moved from his seat. Not once. The hallway stayed the same. Same lights. Same silence. No updates. “No one’s come out yet…” his sister said quietly. Ricky didn’t answer. His eyes stayed locked on the doors Jolene had disappeared through. Then finally a nurse stepped out. She walked toward them, quick at first… then slower.
A tight smile appeared on her face. “We’re monitoring her closely,” she said. “The doctor is still with her.” Ricky leaned forward slightly. “Is she okay?” A pause. Barely noticeable. “She’s in good hands.” And just like that, she turned away.
Ricky watched her go. She didn’t leave the area. Instead, she stopped at the nurse’s station and picked up the phone. Her voice dropped low—but her eyes kept shifting. Back toward him. Once. Then again. Ricky’s stomach tightened.
Thirty minutes later, the doors opened. Two officers walked in. They spoke to the nurse. Then, all three of them looked over. Straight at him.