51. A Visit from Weymouth
The day after the shooting, Weymouth arrived in Claudia’s room bearing a large bouquet of flowers. As always, he was impeccably dressed and clean-shaven, but his skin was ashen, and his eyes swollen. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.
Claudia introduced him to Audrey who took the flowers and went to look for a vase. Weymouth sat down in the chair next to Claudia’s bed and grabbed her hand, “I feel so terrible,” he said. He looked on the verge of tears, his broad shoulders shaking. “I didn’t want him to testify,” he sobbed. “I should have refused to call him as a witness.
Claudia interrupted him. “It wasn’t your fault. You can’t blame yourself.”
“But if he had been here at the hospital instead of at the hearing, he would still be alive.”
“He is alive,” Rita Jane said, horrified at the thought that anyone had given up on Dan so soon. “I know Dan. He’s a survivor. If anyone can survive this, it’s him.”
“Rita Jane’s right. He’s going to survive. We have to believe that.”
Audrey had returned with the flowers prettily arranged.
Seeing Weymouth she put the flowers down, and stuck out her hand,
“Audrey Connors, I’m Claudia’s momma.”
“Nice to meet you,” Weymouth said taking her hand. “You have a remarkable daughter.”
“I do indeed.”
“I heard what you said to Claudia, and she’s right. You can’t blame yourself. Dan wanted to testify. Wild horses couldn’t have kept that boy away. And he’s got everything to live for now. He’s going to be a daddy.”
Weymouth looked hopeful. “I hope you’re right,” he said softly.”
Rita Jane and Claudia looked away, discomforted by seeing Weymouth, who had always seemed so strong and impenetrable, bear his soul. Powerful men were only human, after all, and could suffer like the rest of us.
Just as quickly as he let his guard down, he put it up again.
“I came by to tell you that I’m holding a press conference at 4 o’clock this afternoon. I believe the networks will be covering it. Please try to watch it if you can.”
Rita Jane couldn’t imagine why he would be holding a press conference, but she didn’t really care. “Would you like to see Dan?” she asked softly. “They allow visitors into his room one at a time. Someone is with him all the time — usually his mother or Dave — but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind leaving so that you could visit.”
“I’d like that,” he said.
Rita Jane escorted him to the ICU. He walked like an old man, heavily and slowly as though he were dreading what he would see.
When they arrived, the nurse told her Dave and Mrs. Canavan had gone to get some coffee. Paul was in with Dan, but agreed to leave so Weymouth could visit. Rita Jane asked for a moment with Dan first. She sat down beside her friend, reaching for his hand, which had an IV line going into it.
“You’ll never guess who’s here to see you, Dan,” she said. “Congressman Weymouth. I knew you’d be thrilled to get a visit from the Chairman, although I suspect you’d pick a different outfit to wear. Don’t worry, though, you look fine. That hospital gown suits you.”
Weymouth entered and Rita Jane said goodbye to her friend, kissing him on the hand, as it was impossible to find his cheek with the oxygen mask and layers of bandages wrapped around his head.
“He’s ready for you,” Rita Jane said to Weymouth who made an attempt at a smile. He touched her hand gratefully and she smiled.
Weymouth got down on one knee and leaned over the bed with his head bowed as if in prayer. Rita Jane and Paul watched through the window. Weymouth said something to him, but Rita Jane couldn’t make out the words. Weymouth bowed his head and clutched his hands together as though praying to God to intervene. Watching him made Rita Jane cry again. Paul put his arm around her and squeezed her tight. Rita Jane hoped God was listening.
Dave returned from the cafeteria with several cups of coffee and smiled when he saw Weymouth. “Dan would be pleased,” he said sadly. Rita Jane nodded.
In less than five minutes Weymouth emerged from the room. He thanked everyone for allowing him the time with Dan, and reminded everyone to watch the 4 o’clock press conference that afternoon.