The waiting room was white and quiet. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead. The smell of antiseptic hung in the air.
Vance sat in a plastic chair, his elbows on his knees, his head bowed. He had not spoken since they arrived.
A doctor appeared. Mid-forties. Kind eyes. Clipboard in hand.
"Mr. Blackwood?"
He looked up.
"Your wife is stable. It appears to be a combination of stress, dehydration, and low blood pressure. Nothing serious. We're keeping her overnight for observation."
Vance nodded. "Thank you."
The doctor left.
Jovi's mother arrived twenty minutes later. Her coat was still buttoned wrong. Her hair was disheveled. She had rushed.
"Where is she?"
"Stable. They're keeping her overnight."
Her mother sat beside him. Her hands were shaking.
"What happened?"
"Stress. Dehydrat
