When the doctor made a small incision and inserted the biopsy needle, he wanted to look away, but he didn’t. His wife needed him, and he wouldn’t fail her.
The radiologist seemed perfectly calm. “Clicking sound in three, two, one…”
Elizabeth still flinched, and so did he. On the ultrasound screen, beside the tech’s head, he could see that damn needle grab the sample, and then the radiologist transferred the scrap of flesh to a bottle of clear liquid.
He had to clear his throat a couple times. “How…how bad was that?”
“Not bad at all,” Elizabeth said, and it sounded like the truth. “The anesthesia felt like a bee sting, but this is just tugging and pressure, not pain.”
Three more samples. Four. Five.
Then the radiologist looked up again. “I’m about to insert that titanium clip you heard about. It’ll help mark the spot for future mammograms or if you need surgery.”
After the clip’s insertion and a few minutes of pressure on the area, they were almost done.
“One more mammogram to document the location of the clip, and then we’ll bandage you. No stitches necessary.” The doctor smiled at Elizabeth. “You did great.”
He helped Elizabeth sit up, and after the mammogram and bandaging, a young nurse produced a list of post-procedure instructions and handed it to him.
She held up a blue square, making eye contact with Elizabeth. “First of all, you’ll want to put this cold pack inside your bra right away. It’ll help with the tenderness and bruising.” Passing him the pack, she continued running down the list of instructions, her voice gentle. “Please keep the bandage in place for forty-eight hours. No strenuous activity for the first twenty-four. We suggest wearing a soft, supportive bra and continuing to use cold packs as needed. Acetaminophen for pain relief. No aspirin or ibuprofen for a couple of days.”
She turned to him. “The paper I gave you lists a number to call if you have questions or concerns. If anything seems odd or worrisome, just use it. We’re here to help. And we’ll contact you later today and tomorrow no matter what, just to be sure the recovery is going well. Within two to five business days, you should have the results from the pathologist.” She paused. “Questions?”
“I think we’re good.” Elizabeth stood. “Thank you.”
When the nurse was gone, Elizabeth headed for the dressing booths. He halted next to the curtain, expecting her to drop his hand at that point, but she didn’t. Instead, she pulled him inside. So he helped her put on her bra and tuck the cold pack inside. Tugged the sweater carefully over her head, attempting not to jar her.
Then they were in the parking lot and headed home. The procedure itself had taken thirty minutes, tops, but the various steps before and after had eaten up over two hours.
“I don’t know why I’m so tired.” She sagged against the back of her seat, her eyelids heavy. “I did nothing but lie there.”
He knew why. “Just sleep, honey. We’ll be home soon.”
At the stop sign marking the exit from the hospital onto the county road, he brought the car to a gentle halt. Then he took another quick glance over at his wife.
Already asleep. Good. He smoothed her pale hair back from her peaceful face before checking both directions for traffic.
“You,” she said quietly.
Not asleep, then. Did she need pain medication?
He pulled out slowly. “Me what?”
Her eyes were still closed. “Last night, you asked who cared for me.”
He couldn’t respond, not with his throat so thick.
“You.” She reached for him with a seeking hand, and he laced their fingers together. “You care for me.”
Seven
Three days later,Elizabeth turned off their cells and woke James with a kiss.
Not their first, which had happened at their wedding. Not even their second or third.
Since the biopsy, they’d taken to sleeping cuddled together on the master bedroom’s king-sized bed. And before they drifted off each night, he would cradle her face in his hands and kiss her. Claim her mouth like a man who knew exactly what he could do with his. Settle her comfortably against him and tunnel his strong fingers through her hair and tangle their tongues until she was breathless and aching somewhere other than her breast.
He kissed her with gentle but unmistakable expertise. With lust.
