Chapter3
GIANNA
Only twinkling,slow music was chiming on the line when Matteo handed me the phone, kind of upbeat, kind of sad.Despite its calming, bright tones my heart started racing faster and faster, skipping beats while I waited for someone to pick up.
By the time a nurse’s voice said, “Here’s the doctor for you,” I was so lightheaded it felt like I was standing on water and not the firm hardwood floors of this bedroom.
“Your sister made it through surgery fine,” the doctor said.“There was another little bleed that we hadn’t caught the first time, caused by a small bone fragment, but we managed to find it in time, before it did a lot of damage.She’s in observation now, but improving greatly.”
I’ve been holding my breath while he spoke and I exhale now, so loud it sounds like gusting wind.
“Could you… could you repeat all that?”I stammer, putting the phone on speaker so Matteo can hear too.He’s just been standing there by the balcony door, immobile, like a stone statue, watching me.
The doctor goes over everything again in a more annoyed tone.
“So she’ll be fine now?”I ask once he’s done.
“Yes,” the doctor says, sounding like he’s tired of repeating himself.“She’s strong.And she’s awake already.Why aren’t you here?You should be.”
“I… I want to be,” I say and look at Matteo.I’m sure my eyes are full of pleading, begging even and I hate that.
Of course he won’t let me go see my sister.No matter how much I beg.I tried to kill him last night, if nothing else.And I won’t ever ask him for anything.So I hate that my first instinct was to look at him pleadingly.Or that I needed him to hear what the doctor said so I’d be sure I heard it right.
Matteo takes the phone from my shaking hand.
“We’ll be there as soon as we can,” he says.“Can you put her on the phone.”
The doctor grumbles then says, “I’ll get the nurse back on, see what she can do.”
Then the calming music comes back on and this time the sweet melody lightens my mood, which I’m sure is the whole purpose of why this particular song was chosen.To give people waiting for news about their loved ones some hope, an echo of happiness.Even if the news they end up getting is terrible.Which in my case it is not.And the relief over that, the happiness is only just starting to sink in.
“Ms.Gianna?”the nurse says.It’s Tanya, the kindest of all the nurses I met at that hospital.Thank God.“There are no phones in the ICU room, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you,” I breathe.“I want to talk to my sister so much.”
“I’ll bring her my own phone,” she says.“Can you call back in five minutes?I’ll send you my number.”
“Yes!I’ll call.I’m so sorry I can’t be there.Thank you!”
“It’s my pleasure,” she says and I can hear her smiling wide.“Talk soon.”
Then she hangs up and the dial tone sounds like an alarm blaring.I look at Matteo whose eyes are positively glowing with a light I can’t feel.No heat, just brightness.
I didn’t even ask him if we can call back.I just assumed.What if he says no?
The silence between us starts to drag.I’m still holding the phone and it vibrates and chimes as the text with Tanya’s number comes through.The silence swallows it up.
“I really, really want to speak to my sister,” I finally say.That’s not the same as asking him for something.Or demanding it.That’s just stating exactly what I need.
The silence drags and his gaze isn’t growing any hotter, not even warmer.
Then he finally nods.
And it’s like a whole mountain has rolled off my chest.
I dial Tanya’s number before he can change his mind, pressing the phone to my ear.I turn away from him as Tanya picks up, telling me to hold on.
And a few moments later, I hear her talking to Chiara, explaining what is going on and that she has me on the line.
