AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Don’t answer me right now,” Erik says. “I’m staying with my mom for the next two days. Right now, we focus on you and your dad. Okay?”
And then he holds me as my mind races, breaking probably every speed record known to humans. He holds me while I tell him about my dad’s infection and how antibiotics weren’t working as the tissue around his stoma lost blood flow and died. How his surgeon is confident they can fix this, and he’ll be as good as a man halfway through chemo can be. But that last time the surgeons promised us it would be quick and routine, they’d found out he was sick. Much sicker than anyone had thought. How he is the only person I have left in the world and I do not know what I would do without him.
Erik holds me until the doctors come and tell me everything went well, and my dad is in recovery. For that, he stands by my side and holds my hand, fingers strong and sure between mine. He waits with me until my dad is ready for visitors and then offers to wait for me, but I bring him with. Letting him into my dad’s room as the tears start again. And as I sit there with my head on my dad’s starchy hospital sheets, letting his calloused fingers run through my hair, as I watch Erik smile and hold up his phone before connecting my dad to Vic and the rest of the Arctic players via video call.
I realize my dad isn’t the only person I have left.
And Erik is definitely worth it.
TEXT MESSAGE
SATURDAY 2:23 PM ST
Quinn Cooper:
Thank you for today.
You were right. Dad hasn’t stopped talking about it since you left
Erik Varg:
I figured he’d like it. If he wants others let me know. Vic has an extensive hockey movie collection. Actually his whole collection is extensive. I can bring you almost anything.
Quinn Cooper:
I actually liked it. You did bring a movie with Patrick Swayze.
Erik Varg:
That was my mother’s idea. I’d prefer you keep seeing hockey players as pale, sweaty, and missing teeth.
Quinn Cooper:
Oh.
Does Vic have missing teeth?
Erik Varg:
Cute Quinn. If you want someone who looks like my brother, you have me.
Quinn Cooper:
I don’t want Vic. Just you.
Erik Varg:
I know. I just like to hear it. .
Quinn Cooper:
The Slurpee cup was inspired.
Erik Varg:
You can’t watch a movie without snacks. The post-surgery liquid diet makes it difficult, but not insurmountable.
Quinn Cooper:
