Sick and fragile.

Audrey nodded and they rushed out of the apartment. The silence between them was severe. The intensity of their argument still hung between them, but there were more pressing matters.

​ When they arrived at the hospital, they were escorted by a nurse to his room.

​ “He’s fragile right now,” she informed them. “Normally, I wouldn’t let anyone in to see a patient in such delicate condition, but he insisted that I let his son and daughter-in-law in to see him as soon as they arrived. Please, it’s this way.”

​ She led them into his room and left to give them privacy.

Lucien collapsed to his knees at Gary’s bedside and took one of his hands. Audrey stood on the other side of the bed. As close to Gary as she could be while still being as far from Lucien as possible.

​ “Dad,” Lucien’s voice wavered. “What happened?”

​ “Such a fuss,”Gary’s voice was weak.”I’m sick, Lucien.And I think I need to accept my fate now.”

​ “Don’t talk like that,” Lucien said. “You’ll be better soon, and then we can