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More hours went by. I tried to convince myself that maybe she’d fallen asleep on the chair next to her mom’s bed and everything was fine. But by 7 AM Philly time, I was pacing my hotel room and figured it was a somewhat okay time to call.
Her phone rang once and went straight to voicemail. I hated not reaching her, but left a message anyway.
“Hey, sweetheart. It’s about seven your time. I just wanted to check in and see how things were going. Just let me know when you get a chance.” I paused. “I’m thinking about you and your mom, and I’m sorry I’m not there with you.”
A half hour later, I had to start packing for our next stop. The band needed to get on the road this morning, and we were supposed to meet downstairs for the free breakfast before that. Just as I opened my hotel room door, my phone buzzed with an incoming text. I stopped to read it.
Lala: Sorry I haven’t called. Mom is stable, though she’s still in Afib—atrial fibrillation, where the heart beats irregularly. They don’t allow phones to be used in the ICU, so I had mine off. I haven’t wanted to leave the unit in case a doctor came by. Rounds finally just started. There’s a group of doctors going bed to bed, and they’re currently three beds away from us. Hopefully, they’ll get to us soon. I’ll try to call you after.
Holden: Okay. Good luck.
I didn’t hear from her while we had breakfast, loaded the SUV with all of our equipment, or for the first two-and-a-half hours into our drive. I tried my best not to be a pest, but eventually I sent another text.
Holden: Sorry. Just wanted to check in. Did you get to meet with the docs yet?
My phone rang a few minutes later. I was in the backseat with two guitar cases on the seat between me and Dylan, while Kevin was up front with Monroe, who was driving. I had zero privacy.
“Hello?”
“Hey, I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner with an update. It’s the first time I’ve left the ICU since I got here. I came outside to take a quick walk and get some fresh air.”
“No worries. I just wanted to see how your mom was doing. And how you’re holding up?”
She blew out an audible breath. “They took Mom into surgery a few minutes ago. They’re doing a bypass. The blockage couldn’t be cleared with angioplasty.”
“Shit, I’m sorry, babe. She’s young and strong, though. I’m sure she’ll do okay.”
“The doctors are optimistic, but I can’t help being terrified. And I could tell Mom was, too, before she went in.”
“Yeah, of course. It’s got to be scary.”
I heard a man’s voice in the distance. “Hey. How’s Jean doing?”
“Oh…hi, Warren. What are you doing here?”
My teeth gritted as I listened to their conversation.
“My mom heard from your parents’ neighbor, Irene Davis, that there was an ambulance at the house. She called me, and I called you, but your phone went to voicemail. I called Bill, and he filled me in.”
“My dad filled you in?”
“I spoke to him about a half hour ago.”
“Oh. He didn’t mention that you’d called.”
My jaw clenched so tight, I was surprised I didn’t crack a tooth. First of all, he was there, and I wasn’t. But also…Bill? Not Mr. Ellison, like I’d always called him. And I certainly didn’t have her father’s phone number. I realized all over again what Warren had been to her, what he’d been to her entire family.
“Are you on the phone?” Warren asked.
“Oh…shoot. Yes, I am. Excuse me a minute.”
She came back on the line. “Hey. Umm…Warren just showed up.”
“I heard.”
“Oh…okay.”
So many emotions hit me, and I didn’t know what to do with any of them. I guess I was quiet for a while.
“Are you still there?” Lala asked.
“Yeah, I’m here.”
She lowered her voice. “I’m sorry.”
I frowned, but had to suck it up for Lala’s sake. “Nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart. I’m glad someone is there for you. And I’ll let you go, so you can go back and be with your dad.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
The last thing she should be worrying about right now was me. “Of course. Call me later and let me know how everything goes. Okay?”
“Alright.”
“I hope everything goes smoothly.”
“Thanks.”
“Bye.”
Dylan eyed me when I hung up. I hadn’t told them what had gone down yet. “Everything okay?”
“My girlfriend’s mom had a heart attack last night. They just took her in for a bypass.”
“Shit. Sorry, man.” He was quiet for a moment, then cracked a small smile. “Girlfriend, huh? Don’t think I’ve ever heard you use that word.”
The funny thing is, I hadn’t even realized I’d said it. But deep down, that’s what Lala was to me…my girl. Unfortunately, I wasn’t sure if I was her guy…and she was currently with a man who I was certain still wanted her.
