“Very much.”
“How do you like being a business owner?”
“Not so much. But that doesn’t mean I won’t like it once I’ve learned what I need to know.”
“That’s my girl. MissOptimistic. You’ve always gotten over your hurdles, Anita. You’ll fly over this one soon enough.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Once your café is open, let me know. I’m due a vacation, and I wouldn’t mind putting in some time serving coffee. As long as I get a lesson or two beforehand from a professional.”
She laughed. “I’ll be happy to teach you how.”
His beeper went off. “Hang on a minute,” he said, checking it. “I’ve got a patient in the ER.” His expression changed from father mode to serious doctor. “Take your time finishing up. I’ll talk to you later.”
When he grabbed his tray, she said, “I’ll take care of it. Bye, Dad.” She watched him hurry out of the cafeteria and smiled. She was proud of him too.
A few minutes later she was taking the last bite of her BLT when she got a text.
Come to the ER. Dad.
Her parents still signed their texts, as if she didn’t have them in her contacts. She gulped down her Coke and picked up her and her father’s trays and put them on the conveyor, then hurried to the ER. Why would her father want her to meet him there?
When she arrived, her father met her at the inside entrance. “What’s wrong, Dad?”
“Rosa Castillo is on her way.”
Her blood ran cold. “What? Is she okay?”
“I don’t know. Tanner arrived at their house right before the ambulance. He’s on his way, too, but he has to drive separately. She’s one of my patients, and I need to be there when she arrives. Tanner’s going to need you, honey. Either way.”
Anita could barely breathe, but she nodded and hurried to the waiting room. It was empty when she got there, and she sat down and waited.
A few minutes later, Tanner came running inside. He went straight to the reception window. “I’m here with Rosa Castillo,” he said, sounding breathless.
Anita didn’t want to interrupt them, so she sat and listened as he gave the receptionist Rosa’s information.
“You can wait here until we call you back.”
“How long will that be?”
“We’ll let you know.” The receptionist slid the glass window closed.
Tanner turned around, scrubbing his hands across his face. When he looked up, he met Anita’s gaze.
Without a word she went to him—and he fell into her arms.
***
Anita tapped her knee with her finger in a nervous rhythm. Tanner had arrived forty-five minutes ago, and he still hadn’t been back to see his mother. The receptionist had said Rosa was getting a scan done and that she should be back soon.Anita hoped so, because Tanner was ready to jump out of his skin, and she didn’t blame him.
She glanced at him. He had been silent since he arrived, and other than hugging her tight when he first saw her, he had ignored her. She didn’t take it personally, although she wished there was a way she could comfort him. His knee rapidly bounced up and down, and for the dozenth time he got up and paced the length of the empty waiting room.
He looked at her. “What’s taking so long?”
“I don’t know. I can call my dad again if you want.” She had called when Tanner arrived, but it had gone straight to voice mail. She wasn’t surprised her father didn’t answer. But if Tanner wanted her to try again, she would.
Shaking his head, he sat and leaned back in the chair.
