“It’s okay. I wish all my patients had family members who care about them as much as your niece cares about you. And I welcome her expressing her questions and concerns.” He turned to Zoey and gently said, “I don’t think we can say for certain that your aunt’s in danger of suffering a significant cardiac event. She’s been declining this procedure for years and so far, she’s been all right. I only know what the risks and probabilities are. Based on that, my best advice has been for her to have the device implanted—the sooner, the better. But ultimately, the decision is hers to make, not mine.”
Zoey could read between the lines; he was also implying the choice was Ivy’s, not Zoey’s. She countered defensively, “Would you leave the decision up to the patient if it wasyourgreat-aunt sitting here instead of mine?”
“Yes, I would.” He glanced at his hands, folded on his lap. There was such compassion in his voice that Zoey knew he understood her when he added, “But it would anguish me if she didn’t make the choice I thought was best.”
“Oh, stop pressuring me, you two,” Ivy burst out, shaking a finger at both of them. If Zoey hadn’t been so exasperated and frightened, she might have found it funny. Her aunt fell back in her seat and threw her hands in the air. “If I can remodel my kitchen, I suppose my heart deserves an update after all these years. You win. I’ll get the pacemaker.”
Dr. Laurent was going to be out of town the following week, but he said they could schedule the surgery for the week after that since he was the only one Ivy wanted to perform the procedure. Meanwhile, he encouraged her to do what she’d been doing; taking the nitro pills for chest pain, eating healthful foods, getting lots of rest and avoiding stressful situations.
“If you’re at a loss for a pleasant way to relax, you might consider signing up for one of the painting classes my sister is teaching. Just don’t repeat that crack I made about her being the type to shoot the messenger.” He and Ivy both laughed but Zoey was having a difficult time not crying.
While her aunt was checking out, Zoey went to hold the elevator since she needed a moment to pull herself together. As she was waiting, her phone pulsated in her purse. “Hi, Gabi,” she said when she answered it. “What’s up?”
“I just wondered where you are.”
That’sa switch. “We’re still at the hospital.”
“Thehospital? I thought Aunt Ivy only had a doctor’s appointment.”
“She did. Her doctor’s office is located in the hospital.”
“Oh. I didn’t think it would take so long.”
That’s why she called—she’s worried.Zoey’s tone softened, “Aunt Ivy just got done with her appointment. We’ll be home soon.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s…” Zoey realized her aunt was now within earshot. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
“I can make supper tonight if you want me to.”
“That would be nice, except there’s wet paint on most of the cupboards so we decided to order takeout from Captain Clark’s.” As Ivy stepped into the elevator, Zoey pointed to the phone and mouthed,Gabi. Then she pressed the button for the lobby and the door closed. “We can either have an early meal or reheat it later. Is there anything in particular you’d like us to bring back for you?
“A pet lobster?”
It took a moment for her to get the reference to the time when her niece was a little girl and wanted to bring a lobster home from the restaurant as a pet. Gabi was making a joke. Making amends, of sorts. Zoey appreciated the effort. “Moby would get jealous. He thinks he owns you.”
“All right, then bring me chowder, please.”
As they waited on a bench outside for their ride to come, Zoey stared toward the port, only vaguely aware of the small passenger ferry coming in to dock and the gulls squawking overhead.We shouldn’t have takeout for supper,she brooded.Aunt Ivy always orders onion rings and those aren’t good for her heart. She shouldn’t have been painting for so long the other day, either. It was probably too much activity all at once…
“Stop worrying about me.” It was uncanny how Ivy could read her mind. “I’m going to be fine.”
“I know you are.” Zoey’s smile belied her fears.
Ivy patted her hand. “You’ve been such a help to me. Just like Sylvia always was. I can’t tell you how much I’ve appreciated it.”
Zoey didn’t like the way her aunt was talking in the past tense. It felt as if she was saying goodbye. “We’ve discussed this, Aunt Ivy. You don’t have to tell me how much you appreciate my help. I already know.”
“Yes, but what I do need to say is that even though I’m grateful for all you’ve done, I don’t want my surgery or recovery to interfere with your plans. If you get that library job, don’t put off starting it on my account.”
So was that why her aunt hadn’t had the pacemaker implanted sooner—because she hadn’t wanted to be a “burden” to Sylvia or to Zoey? “It doesn’t begin until late August and you’ll be better long before then.”
“Yes, but if there’s a change. Or if another opportunity comes up sooner. Because I could always recover in one of those rest homes Mark has told me about.”
Ugh. I’d forgotten all about Mark.Anticipating that one of them would have to let him know about Ivy’s upcoming surgery, Zoey ruefully mused,He’ll probably try to lease out the house as soon as she’s under anesthesia.But since it wasn’t the right moment to contradict the suggestion that her aunt could recover in a rest home, Zoey stood up and said, “I think that’s our car coming.”
Ivy took hold of Zoey’s arm for balance. As they made their way down the sidewalk, she gave her skin a little pinch. “Dear girl, listen to your aunt. Most of my life is behind me. Most of yours is ahead of you. And I want you to live it fully, no matter what, understand?”
