The look in his eyes had me damn near melting in my seat. He’d always been able to tell me so much with just one glance. I was just about to open my mouth to speak when someone walked up on us.
“Family of Trisha Hamilton.” The doctor scanned the room. Love stood up, me and his auntie Delia right behind him.
“That’s my mama. What’s wrong with her?”
“I’m Doctor Taylor. Your mom’s blood sugar was below 60 when she was brought in. It was a good thing you got to her when you did because it’s possible she could’ve slipped into a diabetic coma,” he proclaimed.
“Diabetic coma? I ain’t know she had diabetes.” Love turned his attention towards his auntie. “You knew about this?”
She putting her hand up. “Trish never mentioned anything to me.”
The doctor looked back and forth between them. “It’s not unheard of for someone to not know this until symptoms arrive. As of now, we’re just trying to make her comfortable and monitor her closely.”
I put my hand on Love’s shoulder for support.
“She gone wake up though, right?” he asked with worry in his voice.
The doctor smiled sympathetically. “Your mother should be fine. She’s resting but, as I said before, we’re gonna monitor her closely. She’s been moved to room 235. You can all go on up. If you have any questions, feel free to ask the nurse at the front desk.” He gave us a curt nod, then walked away.
As soon as he was out of our line of sight, Love pulled me into his arms. I wrapped mine around his shoulders while he held me tightly.
“It’ll be okay,” I whispered, caressing the back of his head.
His breath was hot on my neck as he exhaled deeply. It broke my heart, the way he was clinging onto me. I may be the one thing holding him up right now.
“You heard him. She’ll be okay, Love.” I moved back to cup his face with both hands. Looking down at his mouth, I leaned in to kiss him.
“Ready to go?” I asked, smiling sweetly. He nodded.
His auntie was already heading to the elevator, so we followed her with our hands intertwined together. Once we got on, Love hit the button for the second floor, then leaned his head back against the wall. I felt so bad for him. He was hit with so much today.
“How the hell I missed something like this? If I would’ve caught it earlier...” his aunt’s voice drifted off as she thought out loud.
“Nah, this was all on me. She was at my crib longer than she was with you,” he spoke, his face filled with regret.
I interrupted.
“I know it’s not my place to offer my two cents.” They both looked over at me. “But I don’t think neither of you should blame yourselves, it won’t solve anything.”
“Yea, you right,” Love admitted, squeezing my hand. “Just gotta figure out what to do once she wakes up.”
His auntie held her arms up in prayer. “Jesus, give us strength.”
The doors opened, and we walked out. It was a waiting room right across the hall from the elevator, so I tried making my way there before Love gently tugged on my arm.
“Where you think you going?” his eyebrows raised as he asked.
I pointed towards the room. “In there.”
His head shook slowly.
“Nah, you coming with me,” he urged, looking at me over his shoulder.
“This is too much, Love. I’d rather wait in there,” I told him, moving outta his hold. “Spend time with your mom.”
I loved being near him, but he needed to do this alone.
He gave me an apprehensive look. “You gone be good?”
