Jo says yes as I look up to see a nurse in deep purple scrubs. She has a long, jet-black bob, and the brightest green eyes I've ever seen. She's smaller than me, though not exactly petite, with tiny gold hoops in her ears and a diamond stud in her nose so subtle I almost miss it.
"Hi," she says brightly, holding her hand out to me. "I'm Lenora."
I stand to take it. "Tess. Jo's sister."
Lenora smiles as she grabs the chart at the end of Jo's bed. "I figured. I'd also be slightly terrified to have a hospital call my older sister if I got myself into a pickle—but she'd come anyway, and we'd probably end up holding hands too."
I peer down at Jo who paints a fake smile.Good. I'm glad she was scared—that makes two of us.
"So," her nurse says, flipping a page. "Did Joannafill you in?"
"Oh, Jo is fine," my sister corrects.
"Only slightly," I say at the same time.
Lenora chuckles to herself, hanging the chart back on the post of the bedframe.
"Well,Johere…" She emphasizes the nickname. "Forgot to eat dinner last night. Not sure how that happens, by the way—could never be me. And still took insulin. A for effort."
She winks at Jo, who immediately throws me aHA! take thatlook, which I brush off with an eye roll.
"But as we know…" Lenora continues, "You can't do that. So, when the waffle maker took too long this morning—which is what I'm personally blaming for all this—she took a little nap in the hotel lobby."
I glance down at Jo, who looks at me side-eyed. "I got the batter in, at least."
Her nurse purses her lips and nods her head in understanding. "She totally did. And I bet it's still not done. Seriously, those things take forever."
I laugh despite myself, then turn back to Lenora.
"Her EKG looks good," she says. "We've been monitoring her all morning—scheduled snacks, IV dextrose as needed. She should be good to go soon, but I do have to be honest with you, Jo."
She takes a step closer to the bed.
"I think it might be time to seriously consider a pump—or at least some additional training. It's been a bit now since your diagnosis, and I know this can be a lot, but we don't want another accident like this one."
Jo cowers slightly. "I know."
"Hey," Lenora says gently, placing her hand on Jo's wrist. "Maybe find some people who are in your same situation. It's always easier when you don't have to do it alone."
Something about that lands hard in my chest. Probably because I'm now hyper-aware of howalonefeels. Since Jo's diagnosis, I've been trying to help her my way—reminders, research… reprimands. But I never considered that maybe she needs someone who's going through the same things she is more than any of that. Someone who understands this disease not just as a to-do list, but as a life adjustment.
It makes me think of Liam and how he's in a boat similar to Jo's—navigating new, unfamiliar waters with their livelihood at stake. An ache twists low in my core. I should text him.
"Alright," Lenora says, dragging me back. "I'm gonna let you get out of here, but I want your sister—or someone—with you tonight, at least. I'd love it if someone stayed until you figured out your next steps so something like this doesn't happen again, but I'll leave that up to you guys."
Jo opens her mouth—to argue I'm sure—but her nurse beats her to it.
"I know you're capable, Jo, but this is a lot. And as you can see, the consequences aren't something to brush off. When you're overwhelmed and alone, mistakes happen. Sharing the load this comes with… it helps."
My eyes dart to her knowingly, and Jo's eyes coat with embarrassment or shame—something close to sadness.
"Alright then," Lenora sings. She taps Jo's leg. "I'll draw up your discharge paperwork and let you finish your episode. I'm a Kristin girlie myself, by the way. Do with that what you will."
With that, she smirks and slips out, leaving the room quiet.
"You're not staying with me," Jo says, reading my mind.
"Jo, did you not just hear—"
