Stanley told him about his blockages, the ones they had to open in the cardiac catheterization lab . . . and the ones they still needed to attack. “He needs bypass, Walt. I’ve been harping on him for over a year. Maybe now he’ll listen.”

“Jesus, Stanley, he never said a word to me about this.”

“We’re surgeons, Walt. Hard to take it when something goes wrong with our own bodies.”

“Hard to admit, you mean.”

“Very hard. Maybe you can convince him. Of all people he knows the risk and the gain. Your dad is stubborn.”

“You don’t have to tell me. I’ll do my best. When do you think he’ll be able to go under?”

“I’d like to see him stabilize, get a couple nights’ rest. Of course if he turns we’ll want to go right away.”

Emergency surgery was never an optimal choice. “I’ll talk to him.”

“You know where to find me. And make sure your mother goes home. I can’t kick her out, but she’s not doing him or her any good sitting there.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

Walt ran a hand over the stubble on his chin and closed his father’s chart.

He encouraged his mother to join him outside the room.

“Looks like Dad is going to be here for a few days.”

“That’s what Stanley said.”

“Did you know about his heart?”

His mother’s jaw came up and part of her normal mask reappeared. “We didn’t really talk about these things. He said something about taking medicine, but he didn’t offer any details. I assumed he would have said something if it were serious.”

That sounded about right. JoAnne liked her perfect world perfect, and his father often kept certain truths from her to keep her sheltered.

“He needs surgery.”

She offered a blank stare and blinked several times. “Open heart?”

“Yes.”

There was a pause. “And if he doesn’t have it?”

Walt glanced into his father’s room. “More of this. Hopefully the medics continue to arrive in time.”

“Then what are we waiting for?”

Sounded like his mother was ready to move forward with the right decisions. “We need him a little healthier first. A couple of days if we can hold off.”

His mom rubbed her forehead.

“You’re tired.”

“I’ve been tired before. I’ll survive.”

Walt placed an arm over his mother’s shoulders. “You need some sleep, a good meal.”

“I need to be here.”

“You’re of no use to anyone exhausted. Besides, Dad needs his sleep. When he has surgery, you’ll want to be close by. I looked at his chart and Stanley agrees, he’s stable. Let me take over for a while.”

He shoulders slumped. “You’re right. I know you’re right.”

She retrieved her purse from the room and followed beside him as they exited the ICU.

He found Dakota sitting alone in the lobby. She stood when they walked out and offered a smile.

His mother stiffened beside him. “I didn’t know you brought her along.”

How his mother could be anything but humbled, Walt would never know. Instead of honoring her words, he looked around the lobby. “Where did Brenda and Larry go?”

“Home. Larry said he’d be back in a few hours. They needed to recharge.”

Walt turned to his mother. “Is your car here?”

“It is. But I can’t go home now. I’m too upset to drive.” She turned back toward the ICU and Walt jumped in front of her.

“I can call a cab.”

“I don’t think so, Walter.”

“I can drive her,” Dakota offered.

Walt would have refused if it weren’t in Dakota’s best interest to avoid hospital lobbies. The last thing Dakota needed was to catch something hanging out in a hospital. As much as he wanted her by his side, Walt knew to diminish Dakota’s exposure to anything floating in the hospital. The fact she was pregnant and not able to combat simple bacteria or a virus would compromise her health. He had enough to deal with . . . Dakota becoming ill would gut him.

“You should both go to the house and get some sleep.”

JoAnne started to refuse and Walt raised his voice. “Mom. Please. I need to focus on Dad and not on arguing with you.”

She released a long-suffering sigh and walked out of the lobby.

Walt moved to Dakota’s side. “Thank you for taking her home.”

“Not a problem. How is he doing?”

He shook his head. “He’s sick. Needs surgery. It’s going to be a long week.”

“Let me know what I can do to help.”

Walt dropped his lips to hers. “Being here helps.”

“I’m a phone call away.”

“Text me when you get to the house.”

“OK.”

He kissed her again and watched her walk away.

Back inside the ICU, Walt took over where his mother left off.

When Millie came into the room to change his father’s IV solution and check his vitals, his father finally opened his eyes. “Leave me alone, Millie,” he told the nurse.

Walt laughed.

“Can’t do it, Dr. Eddy. I let you sleep an extra half an hour, but that’s it.”

“I’m going to remember this,” he threatened.

Walt met the eyes of the nurse and grinned. “He’s all bark, Millie.”