Knit to Be Tied by Maggie Sefton Page B

expression. “Greg’s been in an accident. A car hit him while he was cycling home,” she said, voice wavering. “I’ve gotta go now. They’re getting ready to take him in for surgery at the hospital.” Her hand clutched at her chest. “Oh, God.”
    â€œCome with us, Lisa.” Pete went to her immediately, lifting her up from the chair by the arms. “Jen, take Lisa in the backseat with you.”
    â€œWe’ll follow you,” Steve said, striding toward the front door. He held it open for Pete and Jen and Lisa as they passed through.
    Kelly grabbed her shoulder bag and snapped off a couple of lights. “We’ll all be right behind you, Lisa,” she called outas she watched the rest of her friends file silently out the door.
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    Kelly moved her folding chair closer to Lisa, who was sitting in the midst of her friends who had clustered around her in a semicircle. Kelly reached out and placed her hand on Lisa’s arm. It felt cold. The hospital air-conditioning was quite efficient, and cold air was pouring out of a nearby vent in the ceiling above.
    â€œIt’s going to be all right, Lisa,” Kelly reassured her friend, repeating the same words others in the group had said. She had nothing else to offer. Simply words.
    â€œThey’ve got fantastic doctors and surgeons here, Lisa,” Megan offered. “Marty’s cousin in Loveland was in an awful car wreck last year, and these doctors were able to repair everything. Even facial surgery. They’re wonderful.”
    Lisa didn’t answer. She just sat hunched, her arms clasped around herself, staring at the door from the waiting room into the hospital. She gave a little shiver.
    Kelly looked over at Steve. “Steve, why don’t you bring that old jacket in from your truck. Lisa’s cold as ice. She needs to warm up.”
    â€œYou got it. Be right back.” Steve turned from his pacing the floor and headed for the waiting room door.
    â€œThey sure have their air-conditioning cranked up,” Jennifer said, rubbing her arms. “I know it’s August, but temperatures drop at night. Don’t they adjust those thermostats?”
    â€œI think part of it is we’re all worrying,” Pete said beside her.
    Marty popped up from the folding chair for the fourth time in fifteen minutes. Seemingly unable to sit still. He started to pace. “I’m going to call Cassie. See if everything’s okay and Molly’s still asleep. Then I can tell her we’ll be back later tonight.”
    â€œGood idea,” Megan said. “Don’t tell her anything else. We don’t want to worry her.”
    â€œYeah.” Pete nodded. “Jen and I will explain everything to her when we pick her up tonight.”
    â€œBe back in a minute,” Marty said, pulling his cell phone from his pocket as he hurried toward the door.
    â€œYou guys don’t have to stay,” Lisa said in a quiet voice.
    â€œWe want to,” Kelly said, giving her friend’s arm a Mother-Mimi-reassuring squeeze before withdrawing her hand.
    Lisa looked around anxiously. “It’s been an hour already. The doctor said it would be an hour. How come they’re not finished?”
    This time Jennifer reached over and placed her hand on Lisa’s arm. “The doctor said about an hour, Lisa. Don’t worry. You don’t want them to hurry.”
    Kelly decided a little humor couldn’t hurt. “You don’t want them to leave anything undone. That would be like leaving dangling yarn tails on a scarf. They’ve got to tie off everything. Make sure everything looks pretty.”
    â€œDangling yarn tails,” Megan repeated with a smile. “Yeah, Lisa. We want Greg looking good when they finish.”
    Jennifer kept her hand on Lisa’s arm. “It’ll be all right, Lisa. Like Megan said. These are wonderful