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The doctor and two nurses came in, checked the monitors, made notes on their charts, asked Sal more questions about how he was feeling. He seemed tired and overwhelmed.
“I think we can move you to a different room tomorrow,” the doctor said. He turned to Sophia. “He’ll have to continue being monitored, but as long as nothing suspicious pops up and he keeps improving, he’ll be able to come home in another day or two. Depending”—he looked back at Sal—“on how he does.”
“I’m already feeling better. I just want to go home,” Sal said, eyes heavy and sad.
“I know, Pops. We want you back home too.” Siena’s smile was hopeful, even though it was laced with worry.
“Keep making positive improvements, and we’ll get you home ASAP,” the doctor assured him with a nod.
“He has to follow every instruction to the letter, take all the medications they prescribe. We’ll have to follow up with his primary doctor and the cardiologist to determine when he can resume normal activities,” Sophia told us.
“Seems simple enough,” I said.
All eyes were on Sal, making sure he understood the severity of his situation. It was a bit of doom and gloom, but everything seemed very promising.
Moments later, he fell back asleep, breathing softly as the machines monitored his vitals and beeped rhythmically.
We sat in the quiet of the room. “Michael, thank you again, so much, for everything you’ve done,” Sophia whispered, mindful of Sal’s sleeping.
I cleared my throat. “I’m just sorry we were out of town. If I had known—”
“Oh, honey. No.” She got up, coming straight to me, took my face in her hands. “Don’t apologize. None of us could have foreseen this.”
I didn’t know what to say. I felt guilty that we had been away from home. That my own selfish wants and needs took Siena away.
“Michael,” Siena said. “Thank you.” Her simple words were a lifeline, bringing me a little peace in my inner turmoil.
“We’re going to be here all day. Michael, why don’t you go on back. I’m sure you have work to do,” Siena said, getting up.
I tried to read the emotions in her eyes, tried to find any semblance of feeling or connection. I had to give her credit for what she was going through, being tired, dealing with everything going on. She gave me a friendly hug, but her eyes were empty, and it made me feel the same way inside. Empty and devastated. I thought back to the messages on her phone before the call about Sal came through. Her ex.Fuck.So much for casual, dumbass.
I left after saying goodbye, still feeling a bit like an outsider. Sophia had promised they’d keep me updated. What was I supposed to do? They were both right. I had work to do. And even though they hadn’t said it out loud, I wasn’t one of them.
The trailer seemed even more desolate and in the middle of nowhere than it did when I first arrived. Back then, I had a stick up my ass, full of myself and my plans. After meeting the Morettis, I began to feel a sense of belonging, a sense of family. Then Siena and I got together, and I felt even more like I was needed. Like I mattered to her. Now no one was here. I was alone again.
And the man who had fucked Siena over wanted her back.
Thursday.
Friday.
Saturday.
Sunday.
Michael
Sunday afternoon, still alone. Barelyany communication from Siena in the last four days. Just quick updates about Sal. Every time her ringtone pinged on my phone, my heart just about stopped. I cautioned myself to take it down a notch. The last thing she needed was me adding to an already stressful situation.
Sal would be okay. But would I? I couldn’t keep pretending, like I did that day in that hospital, that everything was okay. I was churned up over her prick of an ex. When the smoke cleared with Sal, I had some questions that needed answering.
I didn’t know what Siena was thinking.
Was she seriously considering going back to Tim? My hands balled into fists at the thought. What in the actual fuck? Cheat on a girl, knock the other girl up, and still want to be with the one you completely fucked over? Lots of people make mistakes only to realize what they had after the fact. But this guy?Tim. My lips curled up into a sneer.Thisguy took it to a whole other level.
And what was really pissing me off was the fact that I was freaking out this much. When she had broken down on the phone, I hadn’t hesitated at all. I pulled her to me and held on. She fit in my lap perfectly, and when she nuzzled into me, I didn’t go into autopilot or freeze up. That was a first. She was the first woman to just feel natural—normal. Like home.
Fuck.
