Warhol's Prophecy

87

HAILEY SQUEEZED ROB’S hand and looked into his face.

The worst of the swelling had receded. There was still puffiness around his eyes, but now he was able to open them both with relative ease, although blackened by bruises too. Several blood vessels in the right eye had been ruptured during the attack, and a crimson mark stood out vividly against the surrounding white.

The intravenous drips had also been removed. On the whole the doctors had expressed delight, and also surprise, at the speed of Rob’s recovery. However, he was all too conscious of the cuts and bruises that still crisscrossed his face and upper body.

There were several bunches of flowers in the room, including a small bouquet of lilies that bore the note: HOPE YOU ARE FEELING BETTER, DAD, LOVE BECKY.

There was also one from Jim Marsh: a large bunch of white carnations.

A smaller arrangement of mixed blooms had arrived from Frank Burnside. There were Get Well Soon cards too.

Hailey hadn’t told too many people what had happened to her husband, but those she had informed seemed to have responded with some gesture of concern.

Hailey herself kissed his hand, noticing the bruises on his knuckles and wrist.

‘The doctors said you must be pretty strong to recover so quickly,’ she said.

‘I don’t feel very strong,’ said Rob, shifting position slightly, wincing in pain. ‘These bloody ribs are killing me.’

‘It’s going to take time, Rob. You were hurt badly.’

‘Tell me about it,’ he said sardonically.

There was an awkward silence broken by Hailey.

‘You are coming home when they release you, aren’t you?’ she wanted to know.

He tried to take a deep breath, but the pain from his broken ribs prevented even that simple action.

‘Rob?’ she persisted.

‘I suppose I was unlucky,’ he said. ‘Storming out and leaving you was supposed to create more of an impact. Now I’m going to need your help just to get in and out of a fucking chair.’

‘Would you really have left us?’ she wanted to know. ‘Permanently, I mean?’

‘I needed time to think things through. I still do – but I suppose what you said was right. I wasn’t in any position to preach to you about having affairs, was I?’

She opened her mouth to say something. She was going to remind him that what had gone on between her and Walker wasn’t an affair. In the end she said nothing.

‘I suppose we’re even now,’ said Rob sadly.

‘That isn’t how it was supposed to be.’

‘No, but that’s the way it is.’

Hailey glanced at her watch. ‘I’d better go,’ she said, getting to her feet. ‘Becky will be worried.’

‘Give her my love.’

‘You can give it to her yourself when you come home.’

‘If I don’t frighten her too much.’ He touched a hand to his battered face.

Hailey leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead and lips.

‘I love you, Rob,’ she whispered.

‘I know,’ he said, squeezing her hand.

She picked up her handbag and headed for the door. As she reached it, she looked back at him and smiled.

He returned the smile.

Then she was gone.