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Kat leans up against the window watching me. “Yes. Do that.” She holds her hand to her heart while her gross boots push up against my jeans.
“Hello. My name is Zane Jackson, my father John Jackson is currently in surgery. I’d like to know specifically what is happening and how I can explain it to my family plainly. Is there a triage nurse available or someone from his cardiac team?”
Kat leans over putting my phone on speaker. I squeeze her knee.
“I can connect you to his team. All I know is he’s been in surgery for over an hour.”
“Is there a private room or lounge that can be set up as a makeshift dining area? There’s a large catering order from Contessa arriving in the next hour or so for my family and the nurses’ stations. All are welcome but I need someone to handle it from there. My family will be of no help. Unless you find my 10-year- old nephew who is remarkably responsible.”
She laughs slightly. “I can handle that. And thank you. I’ll put you through to Dr. Anderson.” My shoulders come down a little. That’s his cardiologist but also his golf buddy. Someone he’s known forever, and I’m relieved to hear he’s not the one operating since there’s such an attachment.
“Zane. Are you on your way, son?”
“Yes, sir. Explain it to me so I can explain it to her. She will shut you out right now to save face. I’m your only way in.”
As I say it, I know it’s true. Even though my brother is the oldest, my sister more settled, it’s time for me to step into the emotional anchor role whether I want it or not.
“Understood and already came up on that icy exterior.” He launches into a conversation about bypasses and clogs. About collapsed aortas and repair. I listen as if I’m someone else, completely detached, bolstered by the woman at my side. If I focus on Kat, the rest of it is manageable. Shocking the fuck out of me.
As all this information is being relayed she’s texting, I assume to her family. I have one last call.
“What’s up man? Kind of early.”
“I need you to get to Mass General. Jack’s having heart surgery. It’s a bit tricky, he had a full-on heart attack. Please control Sweetie and make sure my mother eats. I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
“On my way.”
I hang up and text.
ZANE: Listen to Colin. Eat the food that’s coming. I’ll be there as soon as possible. But not until tomorrow
SWEETIE: Ok.
NATE: Got it. Travel safe.
I inhale and exhale slowly and make one more call. She leans over to me. We’re getting close to the airport so she’s zipping things.
“Mom.”
“Zane.” Her voice cracks.
“I’m on my way but I need you to listen to me then don’t leave his side.” I launch into a very dumbed down version of what’s happening to him. When I finish her voice is small.
“We’re making our way from Egypt.”
“Hurry.”
“I’ll tell the pilot. I love you.”
We step out and I lift the phone, one more thing to be done.
“I already told them.”
She wasn’t texting her family, and I almost cry again.
Chapter 61
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