It’s too bad we never got the chance to exchange phone numbers, because I could solve this little mystery with a phone call or text. “Damn.” I wish I had her number.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Things Aren’t Always What They Seem
“Candy!” I shout as I race into the emergency wing of our county hospital. I’m in tears, imagining the worse. I tried to call Candy back on my way, but she wouldn’t pick up. Since she’s the first person I see, I make a beeline for her. From my left, Connie and Carla make their way toward me.
“Colette.” It’s Connie. “Calm down.” She gets her arms around me and hugs me, but I’m not ready for that.
“Somebody tell me what happened. What’s wrong? Is he okay? Where’s Mom?”
“Shh,” Carla coos. “Mom’s back with him. He’s okay. They’re taking him in for surgery.”
“Surgery?” I squeak.
Candy takes my hand. “He had a heart attack. According to the doctor, it was a mild one.”
“Related to his arteries,” adds Connie. “But they’re worried because his arteries are completely clogged.”
“Okay.” I look at each of my sisters. They’re literally surrounding me. Each one has her hand on me in some way.
Candy leans in and gives my arm a squeeze “It’s going to be okay, Colly.” Just hearing my dad’s nickname for me is enough to get the waterworks going again. “He’s got to be okay.”
“He will be, as long as they don’t encounter any problems in surgery or if he doesn’t have a heart attack in there, too.”
“Jesus, Connie. Do you have to be so negative?”
“What?” Connie says sounding shocked. “I’m just telling her what the doc said.”
Carla takes my hand and pulls me along. “Don’t listen to her. Let’s sit. Mom said she’d be out as soon as they took him back.”
“Okay.” I follow my sisters and sit in the seat Carla designates as mine. After that, Carla takes the chair on my left while Connie and Candy take the two on my right. Carla hasn’t let go of my hand yet.
“So. How’s that hot neighbor of yours?”
Of course they’re going to ask me that. “He’s fine. I guess.” I mean, I don’t really know.
“Did you do as we suggested and bake him cookies?”
“No.” I can’t even get worked up over this line of questioning, since my mind is on my dad. My poor, perfect dad.
“Have you talked to him at least?”
I guess I could tell them… “We went out a couple of times.”
In unison, the three of them screech at the same time, “What?”
But Carla’s the one to speak first, “And you didn’t tell us?”
“I’m offended.” Connie frowns.
“Me, too.” Candy crosses her arms over her chest. “At least tell us what it was like to fuck the guy.”
Is she pouting?
“I haven’t slept with him.”
“Why not?” Again. In unison.
