“We’ll wait for the ambulance and then I’ll go with you to the hospital,” Eric said.
“That’s very kind of you but I’ll be okay. You have the bar to take care of.”
“I’ll get David to finish up here,” he said. “I’m coming with you. You don’t have to do this alone.”
She nodded her head several times. “Thank you,” she murmured. “My car’s still at the office but Moses’s car is parked outside. Do you think it will be safe there?”
“No.” Eric shook his head. “I’ll get David to move it to the private parking bays at the back of the building.”
Avika reached down and took the car keys from Moses’s pocket. It was clear that she didn’t even like touching him.
Two hours later Eric and Avika were sitting on the hard chairs in the waiting room at Green Acres Hospital. The doctor came out and spoke to them. “We’re trying to stabilize your father. He’s had a heart attack, plus he’s been drinking. But I suppose you know that. Do you know what medication he’s on?”
“He’s on high blood pressure pills, but more often than not he does not take them.”
The doctor shook his head. “You shouldn’t have allowed your father to drink. The pair of you should have taken better care of him.”
Avika jumped up out of her chair. “First of all, he’s not my father and, second, this man here is not my brother. He was kind enough to accompany me to the hospital.” She stopped for a moment to catch her breath. She was furious.
“I’m sorry. I just presumed.”
“Well, stop presuming!” She pulled her cellphone out of her bag. She rattled off a number to the astonished doctor. “Call his wife. I’m leaving.”
Avika rushed out of the waiting room. Eric ran after her. Suddenly she stopped running and Eric bumped straight into her. She would have fallen over if he hadn’t pulled her upwards.
She was breathing very fast. It took her a few minutes to compose herself.
“You’ve been very kind. Thank you for everything.”
“It’s the least I could do. What are you doing going out with a married man? Then, when the going gets tough, you run out on him!” Eric blustered that out before he could stop himself.
***
Tell us: What do you think of Eric accusing Avika like that?