Dealing with Devils (Book 2 in the Road to Salvation Series)

CHAPTER 22

The last time Katie had been in the hospital was when her mom brought her because she thought she was infected with rabies. It was miserable then, and it was miserable now. Deb's family was there—her mom, dad, and younger brothers—and they all looked terrible. Their faces were just as red and puffy as Deb's. Katie felt sorry for them. She wanted to comfort them, but she wasn't sure how.

They were all sitting in the hall when Katie and Deb arrived. The doctor or the nurses were doing something in the room and asked them to leave. Katie wasn't really sure what was going on but felt the request was odd. But since it wasn't her grandma, she didn't say anything. They were all happy to see her and hugged and thanked her for coming. When they sat back in their seats, they drifted into silence, waiting for news. Katie stared at them, wondering what was running through their minds. Were they reminiscing about the good times they had spent with their grandma? Or fretting what was going to happen? Perhaps trying to imagine what their lives would be like without her. Their distress was palpable. It hung in the air like a fog. Katie felt nothing. Well, she felt sympathy for them, but she didn't feel sad. She didn't really know Deb's grandma so maybe that explained her lack of emotion. That's what she told herself explained it anyway. What other reason would there be?

Several long moments of no one speaking passed. The silence was interrupted every so often by someone sniffing or taking a deep breath. Katie sat next to Deb, slouching in her chair, waiting for Deb to tell her what she needed her to do. Deb lightly touched her hand.

"I could use some coffee. You?"

"Sure."

The pair headed to the kitchenette at the end of the hall. Deb filled the Styrofoam cup with the hot liquid, then turned to face Katie and leaned against the counter. She stared off, not focusing on anything in particular.

"My dad found her this morning," she said softly. "He stopped on his way to work like he always did to see if she needed anything. She was on the living room floor." The tears threatened to spring forth from her eyes, but Deb held them back by inhaling a shaky breath. "She was fine yesterday."

Katie moved so she stood right next to Deb and placed her arm around her friend's shoulders. "She's going to be just fine, Deb. You'll see."

Deb laid her head on Katie's shoulder and took in another shaky breath. It rattled her whole body. "I hope so. My parents asked me to go with them and the family down to the chapel to pray. I didn't. I told them I had to bring you your dress." Deb's voice cracked. "I'm such a terrible person!"

She lost her battle to hold back her tears. For several long moments they flowed. Katie rubbed Deb's arm and waited for her to regain control. Suddenly, Deb straightened up and looked Katie in the eye.

"I no longer doubt that God exists, Katie. But I'm really angry at Him." Deb sniffed. "My grandmother was devout. She followed His word to the T, never questioned His actions. She doesn't deserve to suffer like this. Why would He make her suffer?"

Her shoulders slouched forward and her face fell. The anger she had felt before abruptly drained out of her body, and Deb looked as miserable as ever.

Katie pulled Deb into a hug. She tried to think of something to say, but nothing came to mind. She didn't blame Deb for feeling the way she felt. Her reasoning was sound. He had done nothing to prevent the tragedy. He couldn't stop Deb's sadness and pain. As usual, when someone needed Him, He was absent. He was such a horrible creator. He didn't even care for His children.

From down the hall, the sound of a door opening and closing reached Katie's ears, followed by fast-moving footsteps. Katie assumed it was a nurse heading to check on a patient. She looked up when she sensed a presence near her, and her gaze fell on Braden. She curled her lip in a sneer and wanted to ask what he was doing there, but she didn't get the chance.