And she needed him now, as she faced her surgery. She was scared. If he would just be there at the hospital to talk with her beforehand, that would be so nice. Shouldn’t he want to if he cared about her?
“Still, it’s not run of the mill to me.”
“I hate hospitals, you know that. It reminds me of death and my dad and all that.”
Drake’s family life was a wreck. She did know that.
And he was right. There would be a higher chance of the press finding out about her hysterectomy if Drake was there.
“Okay, yeah, you’re right. Just be there after? Maybe when I wake up?”
“Ah, yes, okay. I’ll have them smuggle me in.”
“Also, smuggle in coffee. I’m going to be going on two days without it. I think my head might explode.”
It was early. Goldie wanted to go in before anyone was awake. That, too, would help her keep her secret. Drake went back to sleep. It was Hollis who drove Goldie to the hospital.
She checked in alone. She was in surgery prep alone. And she felt like she might be having a panic attack before the surgery, alone.
The anesthesiologist came in to talk to her beforehand.
The doctor was young and cool and looked like she could be in Burgundy Four, too. She had nearly as many tats as Drake.
“I just want to check in. You’re okay?”
“I’m freaking the heck out.”
“You know what, we can up your medication a bit. That nervousness will go away in a second.”
“Yes, please. Also, coffee, I am going to wake up from this needed caffeine. Like really need it. I’m addicted.”
“I’ll put it in your chart, no worries, it’ll be bedside, or I’ll zing a little caffeine in your I.V.” The doctor winked.
It helped. She was so nice. “My boyfriend is going to be in the recovery room, so he knows, too.”
“Sounds like a plan. We gotchu, Ms. Hayes.”
“Thanks, call me Goldie.”
The meds were kicking in. Her worries were evaporating, along with the ability to keep her eyes open.
She remembered being wheeled down a hall. She remembered saying hello to her doctor. And that was it. That was all.
Hours later, she was still in the bed, alone. She was struggling to open her eyes.
Her head hurt. Was she in for brain surgery?
There was no one to ask. Nurses bustled around, but no one stopped.
She closed her eyes again, but the pain in her head was getting stronger.
“Can someone…?”
Goldie felt like she was in a dream. Inside she was screaming, but all she could manage was a week croaking sound.
Finally, a nurse approached the bed. “Ms. Hayes, hello. You’re coming out of it. Wonderful.”
“I need caffeine.”
