But it wasn't available for four more days.
Her stomach had churned with anxiety as she debated waiting. The thought of delaying her wish, now that she'd finally decided, made her physically ill. After thirty minutes of agonizing, she'd found the perfect solution - a luxury hotel in Oro Valley for the first three nights.
The hotel's website showcased elegant rooms with mountain views and room service, plus both indoor and outdoor pools.Plus, the hotel's location near major shopping centers would make it easy for expeditions to replace her entire wardrobe.
Mandy pulled up both confirmations again, double-checking the dates, in a bit of a quake. Was this really happening?.
Mandy stared at her phone, her hands trembling so badly she nearly dropped it. She'd rehearsed this conversation in her head a dozen times, but now that the moment arrived, her throat felt tight with anxiety.
"Get it together," she muttered to herself, taking a deep breath. "It's just a phone call."
The phone rang twice before her daughter's cheerful voice filled the line. "Mom! I was just thinking about you!"
"Hi, sweetie." Mandy's voice cracked slightly. She cleared her throat and tried again. "I've got some news."
"Everything okay?" Concern crept into Sabrina's tone.
"Actually, yes." Mandy twisted the pendant between her fingers. "I've decided to go ahead with that back surgery the VA's been recommending."
"Oh my God, Mom!" Sabrina's squeal of delight made Mandy pull the phone away from her ear. "Finally! When? How soon can they get you in?"
"Well, that's the thing." Mandy's fingers found the pendant's warmth again. "It was going to be a few months, which is why I hadn't mentioned it yet, but I got a call this afternoon. They had a cancellation, and... I'm scheduled for day after tomorrow."
"Day after tomorrow?" Sabrina's voice rose in pitch. "But... but that's so soon! I thought these things took months to schedule!"
"Usually they do. But I'd already had my preop, so when someone cancelled at the last minute, and they offered me the slot, I decided to just go for it before I could talk myself out of it again."
"I think it's fabulous!" Sabrina's enthusiasm was clear, as was the rush of relief in her voice. "You know I've been saying for years you should have it done."
"The surgery itself will take between four and six hours," Mandy said, her nerves steadying at last. "They want me there tomorrow afternoon, and they'll start prepping me for surgery in the morning."
"That long?" Worry crept into Sabrina's voice.
"It's pretty involved - they'll be replacing some discs with titanium." Mandy twisted the pendant between her fingers. "But the surgeon's done hundreds of these procedures. He explained everything really thoroughly. I should be able to call you by late afternoon or early evening, once I'm out of recovery."
"Promise you'll call as soon as you can?"
"Of course, sweetie." Mandy's throat tightened at the concern in her daughter's voice. "They're keeping me in the hospital for three or four days postop. Besides, I can call you once I'm all checked in for the evening tomorrow. You can keep me from talking myself out of it and fleeing the hospital in the dead of night."
"Don't you dare!." Sabrina scolded instantly. "You know you need to do this. But then what after the surgery? You can't go straight home alone after something like this."
"No, of course not," Mandy reassured her. "I'll be transferred for inpatient rehabilitation in another wing of the hospital. That's standard procedure when someone lives alone. I'll be another three weeks for that. On the bright side," she said, injecting cheer into her voice. "Just think how much more fun we can have when I come up at Christmas."
"Oh my gosh, yes!" Sabrina's enthusiasm bubbled through the phone. "Maybe we can finally do that holiday craft fair I'm always telling you about. You know, the one where they have all those amazing glass ornaments?"
Mandy's throat tightened at her daughter's obvious excitement. "That sounds wonderful, sweetie. And maybe we could check out that new aquarium they built?"
"Mom, that would be amazing! The kids would love showing you around." Sabrina paused for a moment. "Are you sure you're okay? You sound a little... I don't know, different."
"I'm just nervous about all this," Mandy said quickly, with absolute truth. "But excited too. It's been so long since I could do things like that, you know?"
"I know." Sabrina's voice softened. "I'm so proud of you for doing this, Mom. I know how scary surgery can be."
"Thanks, sweetie." Mandy blinked back sudden tears. "I should probably get some rest now. Big day tomorrow."
"Call me the second you're able to after the surgery, okay? Even if it's just to say you're awake."
"Promise." Mandy's voice wavered slightly. "Love you."
