Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“Or a priest, for last rites?”
“No. Definitely not that.”
His expression grew serious. “There’s something I need to tell you before they wheel me into that operating room.”
“You’re going to be fine, Collie.”
“Just listen. This is important.”
“Okay. What is it?”
“Come closer.” I sat on the edge of his bed, and he grabbed my arm. “Closer.” When I leaned in, he whispered, “If I die today… avenge me.” I sat up and stared at him, and he burst out laughing. “I’m just messing with you. Because really, how often does life present you with the opportunity to say that?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Then he said, “Here’s what I actually need to tell you. I changed the pass code on my phone to something you’d remember. It’s one-one-one-one-one.”
“I told you the previous homeowner programmed that door code.”
“Sure. I believe you.” His smirk told me he really didn’t. “Now, here’s what I need from you. If I don’t make it out of surgery—” I started to protest, but he pressed his finger to my lips to shut me up. “I know I’ll probably be fine, but there’s a chance I won’t, and you and I both know it. So if I don’t make it, I need you to get in touch with my friend Jeannie and let her know what happened. It would be truly awful if she thought I ghosted her, after being my best friend for most of our lives.”
“Did you tell her you’re having surgery today?”
“No. She has enough to worry about with three kids and another on the way. But I’m planning to call her in a few days and tell her all about it, when I’m safe and sound and the worst of this is in my rearview mirror.”
“Okay. I definitely won’t need to call her,” I said, “but still, noted.”
“Good.”
Three nurses arrived just then, and everything started happening fast. I stepped out into the hallway so I wouldn’t get in the way and tried to focus on taking deep, steady breaths.
A few minutes later, they wheeled him out of his room. He was flat on his back on a gurney, and his hair was tucked under a shower cap of sorts.
He said, “Just a minute. I need to tell my husband something,” and they stopped right in front of me. I took his hand, and when Collie looked up at me, a smile lit his eyes. “I want you to know I appreciate every single thing you’ve done for me, Miller. I think you’re incredible, and truly the nicest guy I’ve ever met.”
“You’re pretty incredible yourself. I’ll see you soon, Collie.”
“Yup. See you soon.” He squeezed my hand and let go of it, and I gently brushed his cheek before taking a step back.
I watched until he disappeared through a pair of double doors. Then I slumped against the wall and scrubbed my hands over my face.
A few moments later, someone asked, “You okay, hon?”
I straightened up and turned to find the same nurse from before standing beside me. Automatically, I muttered, “I’m fine.”
“It’s normal to be scared,” she said. “This surgery is a big deal. It’ll be a few hours, so I’d suggest going outside and getting some fresh air. Also, have some lunch, even if you think you can’t eat. The best thing you can do for your husband right now is to take care of yourself. He’s going to be relying on you heavily in the days ahead, so you need to make sure you’re okay.”
“That’s good advice. Thank you.”
“The cafeteria is on the ground floor, and it has a nice patio area. Maybe start there.”
I followed her suggestion and went downstairs. After I got myself a sandwich, a bottle of water, and an energy drink, I took a seat at a patio table with an umbrella.
The nurse was right, I needed to take care of myself, or I wouldn’t be able to take care of Collie. I was running on no sleep, and I hadn’t eaten anything all day. He’d had to fast before his surgery, and I would have felt like a jerk if I’d eaten in front of him. It was no wonder I felt like crap, but the sandwich and drinks helped a little.
I couldn’t let myself think about what was happening to Collie right this very moment, somewhere inside that building. It was too nerve-wracking. So instead, I tried to come up with some ideas for things I could do to make him comfortable, once he got home.
I ended up texting my friend and neighbor Yolanda and asking for her former tenants’ phone number. The couple had done a beautiful job on her backyard, and I wanted to hire them to fix mine up.
The phone rang in my hand a moment later. When I answered, Yolanda said, “Hey. What time is Collie’s surgery?”