Twenty-four: The oblivious friend

Over the next week, Jamie used his influence to tighten the hospital’s security until Cookie was finally discharged. Even after she was discharged home, he also tightened the security in her apartment block, making everyone entering and leaving the building pass through a security checkpoint and also have a means of identification before being allowed in and out.

Just as Gretchen had advised, he did his best to stay away from Cookie even though it was slowly killing him on the inside. But knowing she was discharged to her home already, he couldn’t stay away any longer. He had to see her. Thus, on the second day after her discharge from the hospital, he went to her home, intending to see her. He had no doubt Gretchen would be there and in his head, he’d carefully planned a speech to win her over and convince the older woman to let him see her daughter but surprisingly, it went smoothly.

As soon as he got there, he stood by the door and drew in a deep breath. He still vividly recalled t