The strange voice told him she called him because he was the last incoming call on that phone. She continued to say that she called from a hospital and that the phone's owner had just been brought in. She went on to name the hospital and Tom was on his way.
His father offered to drive him, which he would usually never accept, but now he did. He'd used to go mad at his reckless driving - now he thought it went all too slowly! He wouldn't let his father come into the hospital with him, though.
Tom told his father to go home. His father stayed outside and waited.
Tom rushed in, unsure where to turn. After a few hit-and-miss episodes with stretchers and wheelchairs he climbed into an elevator. He was livid with himself for having gone to his parents this afternoon. How could he!
At the end of the hall where he'd been sent there was a small reception. The place was very quiet. Too quiet. Tom got the chills again. He told the lady at the desk who he was looking for.
- and you will be ... the brother?
He hadn't thought of that. Of course he'd be asked about relations. There was no time for haggling - he needed to know right now! Still he didn't want it to turn into a mess in case a real brother showed up.
- erh, no. No. I'm ... the ... you know ...
- ?
- I'm his boyfriend. Can I see him now?
He couldn't. Apparently Colin's parents were already there. They'd listed a brother who would be coming, but no boyfriend. So as far as the hospital was concerned, he didn't exist. What made it a lot worse was that they wouldn't even tell him if Colin still existed. Tom sat down and waited. He walked around. He bought a coffee. Two, even though Colin didn't like him to drink so much coffee. A man arrived. The brother, by the sound of it, he was shown the way to where Colin apparently lay. The lady also said something in a hushed voice that made the brother look over at Tom, who braced himself for a first encounter.
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