Nathan made it to the hospital a full half-hour before the surgeon came out to relay any news. He switched back and forth between sitting with his head in his hands, and pacing. He jumped to his feet when the door to the waiting room opened. Then, his shoulders sagged.
“You must be Nathan,” said a booming but kind voice. “I’m Max Jones. I work with Manfred. I came as quick as I could.”
Nathan extended a hand half-heartedly.
“Any word?”
“No.” And he held his head in his hands again. “No one will tell me anything. Not a thing.”
He lifted his head and looked at Max, his eyes filled with tears. “I can’t lose her, I just can’t.”
“I was there the day Bella was born,” Max said gently. “Manfred and I have been friends since 1945. They’re tough people, Nathan.”
And he rested his hand on Nath
