At least the one bonus of being in a small town is there’s no one clogging up the waiting room. I’m pacing in front of the desk as Sam walks in with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He casts a nervous glance around. No doubt he’s looking for my dad. But I couldn’t care less about whatever’s going on between the three of us right now because my only concern is for my son.
“It looks like they're bringing him back down now. We’ll read his X-rays and then we’ll get a plan of action for you.”
I blow out a breath. “Okay.”
“I can show you to his room if you’d like.”
“Yes, that’d be great.”
I look back at Sam, who gives me a questioning look.
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“Yes,” I answer without thinking.
I hold out my hand to him and he looks at it before taking it. The squeeze he gives me helps to wash away some of the panic.
The nurse leads us back to a private room with balloons and animals all over the walls.
“He’ll be right down, okay? Just a few more minutes.”
She smiles at us before leaving the two of us alone.
“Why don’t you sit?” Sam points to the chair next to the hospital bed.
“I can’t.” I shake my head, starting to pace. “I mean, what if something more serious happened?”
“It didn’t,” he says, walking over to drop his hands on my shoulders.
“But it could have.”
“Hey.” Using his knuckle, he tilts my chin up to meet his eyes. “Don’t go there. You’ll make yourself crazy if you start thinking about worst-case scenarios.”
“Even if I feel like the worst mother in the world?”
“You’re not.”
I drop my head to his chest. There’s a brief hesitation before Sam wraps me in his arms. This is exactly what I need right now.
This will probably be the only chance I have with him since he sent me away, but I take it for what it’s worth. I let his warmth wrap around me and try to push all the nerves out.
“It’s going to be okay,” he says, running a soothing hand over my back. “I promise he’ll be just fine.”
I don’t know how long the two of us stay like that until the doors burst open.
“Mommy!” Max’s voice has me jumping out of Sam’s arms.
It’s not only Max coming through the doors, but a gaggleof people. Two nurses, his teacher, my brother and Rylee, but also…my mom and dad.
Great. Just what I need.
I ignore the disdain rolling off my father and go straight to my son. “Oh, Baby, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here. Are you okay?”
His eyes are red and tear marks stain his cheek.
“I got a sticker for being a really good boy.” He holds it up to show me.
“You were?” My voice is watery as tears start to collect in my eyes.
