ICU TOO

Chapter Two

MAY 8th

Chicago, IL

Crystal

"Thank you for coming." Dr. Whitfield said as she greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I expected you to stay at home with the baby." She said.

Devale and I came to Chicago for Dr. Glover's funeral. It took awhile for him to allow me to be there for him but eventually he caved in. We decided to drive instead of fly and that was the stupidest decision ever. The drive was so quiet I had to call my mom and Denise for some entertainment.

The funeral was long and sad. Doctor Glover had a lot of people who cared for him and loved him. Everyone had good things to say. Some people were too emotional to speak. Then there's my husband who refuses to speak to anyone. Him and Morris, are both extremely emotional.

I smile and shake my head. "I wanted to be here for Devale." I told her. "I'm so sorry for your loss. I know Dr. Glover was a brother to you." I say shaking my head.

"Yeah he was and he will be missed. But, luckily before he died we spent a lot of time together." Dr. Whitfield said. "I know he's not suffering anymore." She said.

All I could do was shake my head and frown. While comforting her with a side hug.

"I didn't know it was that bad." I said softly.

"Nobody did. He didn't want to worry any of us." Whitfield replied. "Speaking of worry, how is he holding up?" She asked referring to my husband.

"He's not." I quickly admit. "He won't talk to me about anything." I tell my former boss.

I am a stranger in my own home and to my own partner. He won't touch me, he won't look at me, it's like he doesn't even know I'm there. At least he hasn't forgotten about his son and his fatherly duties but he was clocked out as far as being a husband.

"I'm gonna say hi to everyone." I said pointing the old group of coworkers.

"Okay."

I walked over to my old coworkers and touched Novi gently on the shoulder.

"Hi everyone." I said softly.

It was Zena, Novi, Tessa, Lance, and a few new faces.

"Hi Crystal, thanks for coming." Tessa said hugging me.

"Of course. I'm really sorry for your loss I know Dr. Glover meant a lot to you all." I said touching my heart.

"I'm just gonna miss him." Lance said shaking his head. "But I know he wouldn't want me crying and throwing up..." he said making the group laugh a little bit.

"Yeah Dr. Glover was not with the emotional nonsense. He threatened to fire me because I was crying at work one day." Novi reminisced.

"That's crazy." I laughed softly.

"He was crazy... but in a good way." Tessa chimed in.

"I'll be right back guys." Zena said before stepping away from the group.

When she left everyone looked at me.

"What?"

"So y'all really not friends anymore?" Novi asked me.

"I tolerate a lot of things but I don't tolerate people constantly belittling me and talking behind my back to my own husband." I say looking at the cold beverage in my hand.

Lance sighed as he refrained from talking.

"Where is Devale?" Tessa asked.

I looked around and noticed he wasn't anywhere in the repast venue.