Why was this so damn hard?
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Sam
I always usedto say that if it wasn’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all. Lukas was off on a business trip, frustrated I wasn’t talking to him, but he wasn’t the only one. No one knew what was going on. I’d been to the hospital yesterday and had more blood work done, scans—the whole nine—and then gone home. I knew Dr. Marin would call me as soon as he had all the results.
I had work in an hour, so I shook off the thoughts running through my head. Lukas texted me often, and each time I was happy and sad. Happy because he was thinking about me and sad because I missed him.
As I entered the shop, I was greeted by Mr. Johnson behind the counter.
“Hey, Sam.”
“Mr. Johnson, what’s up? You’re not usually behind the counter.”
“Kevin and Jim called out—they both got hit with that stomach bug. Natalie had plans, so I figured what the heck.”
“Well, I’m here now, have no fear.” I smiled and headed to the back to get my apron.
It was a fairly slow day, Mr. Johnson stayed for a few hours, and after he left it was just me and that was fine. This time of year wasn’t busy. I was scrolling through my phone when it vibrated in my hand.
Dr. Marin’s name popped up on the screen. With a quick glance at the empty shop, I answered.
“Hey, Dr. Marin.”
“Hiya, Sam.”
I’d been dreading this call. “What’s up?”
“Is there any way you could come into the office?”
Well, that was never a good thing. “I’m working right now.”
“How about tomorrow morning?”
I wanted to yell at him to just tell me what was going on but I knew…it wasn’t good, and he didn’t want me to be alone when I heard it.
“Sure, that’s fine.”
“Come by at eight. My first appointment isn’t until nine; we will have time to talk.”
The rest of the day couldn’t go by any slower. The night wasn’t any better, sleep refusing to come. Every scenario played in my head. I couldn’t understand, though. I’d gotten blood work every six months and then monthly the last few. If it was truly bad, wouldn’t something have shown more than some low proteins?
I’d been texting Lukas like nothing was wrong and in my defense, I wasn’t sure exactly what the results were going to say. I needed all the facts and didn’t want anyone else wearing a hole in the carpet like I was.
After tossing and turning all night, by the time my alarm went off, I was blurry-eyed and achy. Worst night of sleep ever.
I numbly showered and dressed, drank a cup of coffee that upset my stomach and I ended up pouring out, and fed Bubbles. Soon enough, it was time to leave. I drove to the doctor’s office and when I parked, I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. Nothing I hoped or prayed for would change whatever these results said, so there was no point wasting time on any of that.
I didn’t have to wait long before I was called in—and not into an examination room but instead into Dr. Marin’s office. I rubbed my sweaty palms over my jeans and desperately tried to calm my heartbeat.
The door opened, and Dr. Marin entered, a small smile on his face. “Morning, Sam.”
“Good morning.”
“I’m not going to draw this out, Sam. While your proteins were slightly elevated, I wasn’t too concerned about that. Medications could be given, especially with you showing no symptoms.”
“But now you can’t, can you?” I swallowed.
