The Unexpected Son-in-law

117

While Annie and Liam are sitting about discussing business, she begins to cough uncontrollably.

‘’Are you ok?’’ Liam asks, passing her a bottle of water.

‘’I’m fine,’’ Annie nods before taking a sip.

‘’You sure?’’

Annie waves him off.

As they get back to talking, she starts to cough again. She uses a napkin to cover her mouth. When she removes it after her fitful episode, there is blood on the napkin.

‘’Annie, you are not ok. Let me take you to the hospital.’’

“Liam, I’m fine. Trust me.’’

‘’That’s blood. You are far from being fine.’’

Annie sighs.

‘’Don’t worry about me, sir.’’

Liam shakes his head, but again Annie tells him not to worry about her.

The two go on with their discussion without any more coughing fit, but that still doesn’t keep Liam from worrying about the older woman.

***

Later that night, a phone call from the hospital wakes Liam from his sleep.

‘’Is this Mr. Tate?’’

‘’Yes.’’

At first Liam thought it was about Craig, thinking that he might have said something, and they