I nod.Shame churns my insides.How wrong I was about him.How quick I was to form an opinion based on gossip and first impressions.“And nothing like I thought he was.”
“No, he’s not.”She pauses.“So instead of making up worst-case scenarios, how about you give him a call?”
My fingers tighten around the edge of the chair.
“Just check in,” she says gently.“See how he’s doing.Maybe he’s just giving you space.He’s a doctor, Amelia.He knows people need time with their families.He’s probably just being respectful.”
I chew on my lip, knowing she’s right.He has his own experience with a parent experiencing a medical emergency, but his ended very differently.I’ve been in my own world and forgot that piece of the story he revealed to me.
“Now go,” she orders, finally picking up her spoon.“I expect an update when you come back.”
I stand, my pulse picking up speed.As I walk down the hospital corridor, I picture him here, moving through the halls in his scrubs, that determined set to his jaw, the way his blue eyes soften when he speaks to you.Me.I imagine him with patients, families, offering comfort and hope.
I push through the heavy doors leading outside, wondering if it would be easier to have this conversation in person?No.He’s at work, and I can’t just show up at the hospital, demanding his attention, when he has patients.
I move toward the quietest corner I can find, away from nurses on break, away from curious eyes.
Taking a deep breath, I pull out my phone.
I hover over his name.
Come on, Amelia.You can do this.
I press the call button and bring the phone to my ear.Each ring stretches longer than it should until, finally, he picks up.
“Hey.”My heart leaps.“You okay?”
The concern in his tone melts something inside me.“Yeah.Of course.Always checking in on me.”
“Always,” he says, the faint sound of the hospital in the background.
“You’re at work.I should let you go.Call me when you’re free.”
“No, it’s fine.I’ve missed hearing your voice.”
His words are like a hug.
“I won’t keep you long,” I say quickly, moving my foot along the concrete cracks.“I just wanted to call.See how you’re doing.”
“I’m good.”He hesitates.“How’s your mom?”
“She’s really good,” I say, smiling.“Thanks to you.”
“I didn’t do much,” he says, almost stumbling over the words.“It just happened at the right time.We got help fast.That was the main thing.”This is the first time we have talked about that day.
“Still,” I say softly."You being there to not only make sure I got the right help but staying with my siblings until Aurora got there means more than I can ever explain."
“I wasn’t going to leave them or you to deal with that alone.”
My heart stutters as I breathe, “Thanks.”
“Any news on when she’s getting home?”
“Not yet,” I admit.I want her home, to get back to normal again, but then I worry about what happens when she leaves the constant monitoring.
He’s quiet for a beat.“Have you eaten?”
I let out a breathy laugh.“No.I’ll probably just grab something on my way home.The kids—”
