Tarnished Armor
Part 19

 
Pine Valley Hospital, second floor

Liza is at the pay phone.

Liza: Belinda? Belinda, it’s Liza. I need you to call me as soon as you get this message. I don’t know what kind of law office you’re practicing in, but if it involves stealing a child while one parent is trying to take care of the other parent while he’s hospitalized and in critical condition, then you’d better expect a fat and ugly lawsuit.

Marian and Stuart approach Liza from behind.

Liza: Belinda, you call Trevor and find out what he and Jake are up to, and then get back to me as soon as possible. If I don’t hear from you in the next ten minutes, I will call you again. And I will expect some answers.

Liza hangs up the phone.

Marian: Liza? Darling? We could hear you all the way down the hall. What’s going on?

Stuart: Jake took Colby?

Liza: Yes, Jake took Colby. And he’s going to answer to me.

Marian: And me as well. This is unconscionable.

Liza: Mother, I need for you to stay out of this.

Marian: But Liza --

Liza: No, Mother. This is between Jake and me and our lawyers.

Stuart: She’s right, Marian. Things are bad enough. I don’t want people fighting.

Marian: But --

Liza: I mean it, Mother. Now I need to get to Adam. And I need to trust that you won’t do anything while I’m gone.

Marian: Liza --

Liza: Promise!

Marian: I promise.

Liza storms down the hallway.
 

       ******

Adam’s hospital room

Hayley sits by Adam’s bedside. Liza enters.

Hayley looks up.

Hayley: Hi.

Liza: Hi.

Hayley: What’s wrong? You look strange.

Liza: Nothing. Nothing I can’t handle. How’s Adam?

Hayley: The same. Do you want some time with him?

Liza takes a deep breath.

Liza: Would you mind?

Hayley: Not at all. I’ll be down the hall.

Hayley leaves, and Liza goes to Adam’s bedside and sits.

Liza stares at his face. After a moment, she caresses his cheek.

Adam’s eyes open.
 

Tarnished Armor Index
Part Eighteen
Part Twenty