If I’m not mistaken, Frank’s cheeks pinken before he answers.
“We’ve been seeing each other, casually.” Frank stifles a cough.
Melanie’s expression is unreadable, but we’re interrupted by a doctor, stepping in and pulling the curtain closed.
“Mr. Glick.” He nods at Frank and Melanie. “I’m Dr. Ramos, the attending cardiologist.”
“Doc, this is my daughter Melanie and her…” He looks to me. “Partner. Josh.”
“Nice to meet you,” Dr. Ramos says, nodding at each of us. He pulls the stool from the wall and sits. “Frank, based on your EKG and bloodwork, we’re seeing signs that part of your heart isn’t getting enough blood. The good news is, you’re stable, but there’s likely a blockage that needs to be looked at more closely.”
“So what does that mean?” Melanie asks, reaching for her dad’s hand again.
I keep a wide berth, standing just inside the curtain, but I don’t take my eyes off Frank and Melanie.
“It means you’ll need a procedure called a cardiac catheterization. It’s a minimally invasive procedure where they look at the arteries around your heart by inserting a small tube through your groin. If they find a blockage while they’re in there, they will fix it right then with a stent.”
“Can they do that here?” Frank asks, fear etched in his features.
Dr. Ramos pushes his lips together. “I’m afraid we don’t have a cardiac catheterization lab here. We’re going to transfer you to Cooper University Hospital by ambulance, non-emergency transport, unless something changes. You’ll have the procedure first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Is it safe to wait that long?” I pipe up from my spot near the door.
Melanie jerks her eyes to mine, appreciation behind her watery gaze.
“It is. Frank is stable, his vitals look great. We’ve already started the medications to protect his heart. The team at Cooper will take great care of him.” Dr. Ramos stands. “I’m going to put the transfer orders in and call the cath lab to let them know you’re on your way. It shouldn’t be too long.”
“Thank you, doctor,” Melanie says softly.
Dr. Ramos gives her a reassuring look before shifting his attention to me, taking me by surprise. “If you have any questions in the meantime, let the nurses know. I’ll check back in with you before you go.” Then he turns back to Frank. “Don’t worry. We’ll get this taken care of.”
* * *
When he leaves,Melanie sighs. “How do you feel?”
Frank tilts his head at her, a resigned smile twitching on his lips. “You told me to watch my cholesterol.”
“I did.” Melanie smiles softly. “I’m scared.”
“I’m not,” Frank says, patting her arm. “I trust the doctors.”
“Okay,” Melanie whispers. “I’ll be scared for both of us.”
We’re interrupted by a joyful, “Yoohoo!” as a woman dressed like the tropics pulls back the curtain.
“Melly, Josh, I’d like you to meet Joan.”
37
MELANIE
My eyes go wide at the sight of the woman who is apparently my father’s girlfriend. Joan has a brunette, cropped pixie cut with chunky caramel highlights. Large hoop earrings and an abundance of daytime makeup let me know she does not want to be mistaken for a man. She’s wearing white capri pants and a tropical-patterned floral blouse. She looks as if they were out on a day-date when this happened. Maybe they were.
“Joan, this is my daughter, Melanie, and her partner, Josh.” My dad’s gravelly voice startles me. He’s clearly trying to break the ice.
I shake my daze away. “Hi,” I say, offering Joan a smile. “Thank you so much for taking care of my dad. We’ve got it from here.”
Josh makes a throaty noise from his place by the edge of the room, his jaw slack with surprise at my candor.
