Arezoo was still stuck ontodayandceremony.
She knew what the ceremony involved. Once a transition had progressed past the danger threshold, the doctor would test her speed of healing in front of her family and friends. In her case, the confirmation was not needed, and the only reason to go through the test was that it was tradition, a milestone the clan liked to mark.
"Do I really need to do that?" she asked, because she wasn't enthusiastic about having her palm cut with a surgical knife.
"Don't worry." Julian patted her hand. "I'll make just a tiny cut on your palm, and it will not hurt nearly as much as it would have if you were still human. We will time how long it takes to heal, and your family will be here to witness everything, and someone will record it for posterity's sake."
She let out a breath. "That is very Persian, actually."
Julian laughed. "Is it?"
"Yes. We celebrate everything by gathering everyone in one room and watching something either embarrassing or painful happen to one person while the rest of the family eats delicious food."
"All right, then. Take your time to wake up and eat breakfast. Get cleaned up and dressed. The ceremony can happen in an hour or two, or whenever you are ready, and your family can be assembled." He smiled. "Not to rush you or anything, but as soon as you are out of here, so am I. You are the only patient in the clinic."
Now it made sense why he wanted to get rid of her so quickly.
It also meant that she had leverage.
"Can I have coffee?"
"Yes."
"And a croissant?"
"You can have a small piece of a croissant. We are not putting your stomach back into full operation in one go."
"Half a croissant is better than none."
"It is. Let me know when you are ready."
After he left, Ruvon turned to her with an amused smile. "We should let your mother know. She's in the waiting room."
Arezoo winced. "Did she sleep out there?"
He nodded. "She and your sisters refused to leave. Yasmin and Parisa came around six this morning. Rana has been here since seven. Azadeh is making coffee runs."
Arezoo shook her head. "My family is probably driving Julian and Hildegard crazy by camping in the waiting room."
He nodded. "Julian told me that if it were his mother in charge of the clinic, she wouldn't have allowed it."
"Then I'm glad he's the one in charge. Can you please hand me my phone?"
"Of course."
Arezoo selected her mother's contact and heard the ringtone twice.
The first time, in her ear. The second time, very faintly, through the wall.
Surprised, she looked at Ruvon. "I can hear the phone ringing in the waiting room with the door closed. I couldn't do that before."
He grinned. "Your hearing has gotten better."
The ringing stopped, and her mother's voice came on the line, breathless.
"Joonam? What's wrong? Are you all right?"
"Maman, I am right here. You don't have to sound so anxious."
