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When Brea started shaking uncontrollably in the hospital's waiting room, one of the nurses approached her with a glass of juice.
“You okay, honey?” The woman was quite a bit older than Brea. She probably saw women like her freaking out in the waiting room ten times a week.
Brea sipped her juice but was unable to stabilize herself.
“Is there anyone you can call to be here with you?” the nurse asked. “Anyone? A colleague? A neighbor?”
Brea closed her eyes. In the darkness was a single face— and that face was Oriana’s. She was the only friend she’d truly ever known besides Kenny. And although she wasn’t thinking clearly, as she was so heavy with guilt and a feeling of loss, she felt sure she needed to tell Oriana about the surgery. It was finally time.
Brea ambled to the telephone to ring the office, but the office secretary said Oriana had gone home for the day. Although this was strange for Oriana, it wasn’t unheard of, especially this close to the holidays. Oriana had pledged to have a fun-filled Thanksgiving weekend with her family.
Reese answered the phone on the third ring. “Hello? Reese Jenkins speaking.”
“Reese?” Brea’s voice sounded so small.
“Is that Brea?” Reese was boisterous now. “Oriana’s right here. You want to talk to her?”
“Very much.”
A moment later, Oriana got on the phone, sounding vibrant and confident. “Is it time for me to swing in and distract Kenny’s mother from tormenting you?”
Suddenly, Brea burst into loud, messy tears. It was all too much: the lying, Kenny’s sickness, and her disconnect from her friend. She couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Brea? What’s wrong?” Oriana was stricken. “Tell me where you are! I’ll come to you.”
Brea blubbered. “I’m at the hospital.”
“What? Oh my God!” Oriana was appropriately panicked. “Was there an accident? Is Kenny all right?”
Brea took a deep breath. “Kenny’s in surgery. Will you please come? I need you.”
“Which department?” Oriana demanded. “I’m on my way.”
Oriana was exceedingly good— a good friend, a good businesswoman, a good wife, and a good mother. Perhaps this was part of the reason Brea had come to resent her, even though she loved her so much. She just couldn’t keep up with her goodness, especially now that she’d done the worst thing of all in stealing from her.
Oh, it was terrible.
But when Oriana arrived twenty-five minutes later to take Brea in her arms, Brea decided, if only for a moment, to forget her resentment and cry on Oriana’s shoulder. After a little while, Brea was able to explain that Kenny had been sick for a while and that he’d finally been able to secure a kidney transplant surgery. “But he might not get well. It’s never a sure thing,” she finished, blubbering.
“Brea,” Oriana whispered. “It’s going to be okay! This hospital is wonderful. I’ve had several clients tell me so themselves. And people recover from kidney transplants all the time! It’s more common than you think. Now. Can you take a deep breath for me? In and out. In and out.”
Brea closed her eyes and followed Oriana’s breathing instructions, filling her lungs and exhaling as much as she could.Why had she gotten so lucky with Oriana’s friendship? Why had she ever doubted it?Maybe she should have just asked Oriana for the money, somehow?It would have been better than what she’d done.
Oh gosh! She’d probably single-handedly destroyed her best friend’s career!
“When was the last time you ate anything?” Oriana asked.
“I have no idea,” Brea answered.
“Why don’t we go down the road and grab a bite?”
Brea felt reluctant, but the nurse explained it would be quite a while before Brea was allowed into the room to see Kenny— at which time he would still be asleep.
“Kenny would want you to take care of yourself,” Oriana assured her. “You two are getting married, remember? He wants you to be healthy and happy, just as you want him to be.”
Brea nodded and allowed herself to be led up and out of the waiting room, down three blocks, to a Chinese restaurant with a buffet. Oriana explained that she hardly dared allow herself to go inside, as she adored every single thing they made— but that this was a special occasion. It called for greasy, messy Chinese food. It called for companionship over many, many calories.
And as they ate, often without words, Brea allowed herself to feel deeply grateful for this woman and all she’d done for her, ever since she’d walked up to her at age four and complimented the butterfly clip in her hair.“I have one, too,”Oriana had said.
