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A: I'm excited too.
As I’m fixing to put my cell phone back in my pocket, I see a text from Dad come through.
B: Just checking in to see how things are going and that you’re okay.
I'm about to text him back when Matthew comes in. "Doctor's on his way, I saw him coming when I got off the elevator. I hurried down here to be with you."
That tenseness is back in my chest and throat as the doctor walks toward us. He pulls his mask down as he gets close enough. "She did great."
I release the breath I wasn't aware I was holding. Matthew and I sag into one another. I want to ask questions, but I realize I need to wait for the doctor to finish.
"We got everything we could see. I got clear margins, and that's what I wanted. I'm hopeful that when the pathology comes back this week, this is all that will need to be done. We'll get her woken up, and check her pain, and bleeding. If she's not having anything unusual, we'll be able to send her home today."
"Thank you." Matthew reaches out, shaking his hand. "I appreciate it."
"I'm happy to give you that news. It was very small. I think this is a best-case scenario, and I hope you'll get a good report next week. If you need anything, please let us know. Once she wakes up, we'll be out to get you."
As I watch him walk away, I contemplate if he knows how much he means to people, if he knows exactly how much he holds in his hands. It's a huge responsibility, but he seemed to do it without even thinking twice. I'm not sure I could ever be that confident in my abilities, but I sure am thankful for him. Looking over at Matthew, I hold up my phone. "Gonna call Dad and let him know."
"Okay, I'll be here when you come back. Thanks for coming to sit with me today. I know we didn't say much to each other, but just knowing you were here was a big comfort."
"Same here. I'll be back soon."
I'm already dialing as I head to the hallway, away from the waiting room. When Dad picks up, I start.
"She made it through just fine..."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kara
Ifeel out of place being here, but I knew as soon as Abel told me his mom is okay, I had to do something. I called on Alexis to get the address, and here I am sitting at the curb of his mom's house, with enough food to feed her and her husband for a few days. Abel's truck is in the driveway, and since I don't necessarily want to show up unannounced, I pull out my phone.
K: I know you've got a lot going on, and this may seem weird to you, but I told you before that my love language is making sure people are fed. I figured your mom and stepdad wouldn't want to be cooking while she's recovering. I have enough food for them to eat for a couple days in my SUV. I don't want to bother anyone though. I can leave it on the front porch, if that's okay?
I send the text and then wait, afraid that maybe he doesn't have his phone on him. I'll probably be sitting out here for a damn hour. Laughing at myself is the only way I can handle the fear of rejection. I'd tried to do this for my mom and dad when he'd had gallbladder surgery, and my mom had been upset. She'd assumed I was saying she couldn't take care of things. We truly just do not see eye to eye in anything we do. It's been hard to understand, but I think I'm finally accepting the fact that we just don't get one another.
The front door opens, and Able comes running out. "Don't leave!"
It's one of those moments you look for in a romantic movie where the guy is coming to stop the girl from just missing the chance they could take to end up together. Quickly, I unbuckle my seat belt and open the door, before getting out. "I'm not. I just didn't want to show up unannounced like some weirdo."
"You're not a weirdo," he laughs.
He comes around the front of my SUV, before throwing his arms around me. I wrap him up, holding him tightly. "I'm so glad to see you're doing okay."
"It's been a long day," he sighs. "But I'm thankful with how the day turned out, and I'm real excited to be seeing you right now."
"I didn't know what else to do." I shrug. "Food is what I use to show how much I care."
"It's perfect, trust me, it's perfect. Matthew doesn't cook, and I know he's probably starving. He had like five coffees today. He's running on caffeine and adrenaline. Mom's not really much of a cook either, so I'm sure no one made anything ahead."
We're standing here, holding our arms around each other. "I can drop it off, I'm sure your mom doesn't want anyone inside."
"You'd be surprised. She likes visitors whenever, and she's super excited to meet you. She's actually set up in a recliner in the living room. Do you wanna come in and meet her?"
I never imagined this would happen when I decided to do something for Abel's family. "Do you want me to meet her?"
"Yeah." He pulls his bottom lip in between his teeth. "I would love for you to meet her. I've told her about you, a little. Mentioned that if she made it through the surgery, I had someone to introduce her to."
