Mallory filled the second tube and reached for the next one.
“My wife had a heart condition. We didn’t think it would be fatal, but her biggest concern was that the kids could be left without parents. I’m a retired police officer, and she was determined that I remarry as soon as possible if anything happened to her. She knew that with my job, anything could happen in the line of duty. Even after I married my current wife, I still get my well visits and labs done like clockwork.”
“Oh wow,” Jenna’s voice carried over to her. “Your kids are lucky to have you care so much.”
A long pause.
“I wouldn’t say that. They never knew their mother was sick. One day she was gone and then one day I got remarried. I just wish they knew I only wanted what was best for them. If something happened to me there wouldn’t have been anyone to take them.”
“I’m sure they are grateful,” Jenna responded. “Big pinch.”
Tears escaped Mallory’s eyes as she gripped Mr. Lasko’s arm. Her mother had been sick? He’d only been obeying her mother’s wishes when he remarried, not pretending she never existed. While the new knowledge made her angry for different reasons, she’d still been wrong. Her stomach dropped when she thought about what a jackass she’d been. Their mother hadn’t been replaced; she’d been honored.
“I just hope my children know that everything I’ve ever done has been for them.”
There was no slowing her tears. She finished filling the last tube of blood and put a bandage on Mr. Lasko while on auto pilot. She was vaguely aware of him asking if she was okay, but she was unable to do more than nod. Her heartbeat was erratic as she processed everything she’d heard. How many years had she lost with her family? Shoving those thoughts aside, she finished up the charting after sending her patient on his way.
“Are you okay?” Doris asked from the computer beside her.
Okay was relative. She would manage just like she always had. A few cleansing breaths followed by a positive affirmation or two and she’d be okay.
“I will be,” she said with a slow nod. “We’ll talk about it later. I just need a little time.”
Instead of her feelings subsiding as the day went on, she felt worse. It was busy enough that she was able to avoid both Jenna and Doris for most of the day, but any time she had a break between patients, she found herself blinking back a fresh set of tears.
“Talk to me.” Jenna stood beside her while she entered the information for her last patient.
“There’s nothing to talk about.” She’d made it to the end of the day without tears, and she didn’t want to start.
Jenna grabbed both arm rests of her chair and spun her around. The compassion in her brown eyes was nearly her undoing. With a ragged sigh, she covered her face with her hands and tried to regain her composure.
“Was that patient—"
“He was nobody,” she lied, losing the battle over her tears.
“Mallory?”
She took her time before she responded, doing her best to collect herself. “Yes. That was my dad.”
Jenna’s eyebrows shot up in surprise before she regained control over her facial expression. “Oh wow. I didn’t think you were in contact with any of your family. Are you okay?”
“Not really,” Mallory admitted. “I saw my brother the other day. It was the first time I’d seen him in five years. This was not what I needed.”
The tingling in her chest reminded her to take a few deep breaths before her anxiety took over. After years of trudging through, she was exhausted. As much as she wanted to ignore this new information, holding on to resentment was exhausting, and she was so tired.
“I didn’t know my mom was sick. Dad never told me.”
“I’m sorry, hun. Do you want to go for a drink? Get your mind off it?”
Mallory considered the offer. “It sounds amazing. But I’ll pass.”
“You sure?”
Hesitating for a moment, she considered backing out of what she knew had to be done. “I’m sure.”
CHRISTIAN
Chris sat on the cold tile floor of his mother’s bathroom. He’d been there all day and was exhausted from working the night before. Robbie had stuck around to help make someadjustments to the house. Modifications had to be made in order for her to safely return home. They were still awaiting the final plan, but whenever she came home, they wanted her to do it comfortably.
