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I nod. “Okay.”
“It’s blocking blood flow and is too jammed up, aka congested with arterial sclerosis. It’s not going to work, so we, the surgeons or traffic directors, open up a new land over her so that traffic can flow through that one, restoring blood flow.”
As far as metaphors go, it’s a damn good one, and I’m picturing tiny surgeons with whistles directing blood cell cars.
“So, it’s complicated because opening up that lane doesn’t just happen, I assume?”
“Correct. We have to use donor veins and attach them to their new home. We have to make the lane, not just open it. And arteries, veins, the heart itself, they all have a lot of nerves and tissue that need to be accounted for.”
I sit back in my chair. It’s odd to hear how much work goes into saving a life when it can be extinguished so easily.
At once, my pulse ticks up, and I have to ignore the flashes behind my lids that remind me exactly how easy it is to kill someone.
“Oh, I know it’s kind of gross. But come on, you’re the big military guy. I’m sure you’ve dealt with some gross stuff.”
I force a half-hearted chuckle, reaching for my beer and down at least half of it. Panic is too close to the surface, and I can’t do that in front of Clara.
“Hmm. Gross. Yup, no shortage of that.”
Knowing my voice is tight, I try to clear my throat like I just swallowed something wrong.
“You okay? Did I hit a nerve?”
Clara is frowning at me when I look up at her, and right now, I hate that uncanny ability of hers to read people.
“Just not a fun thing to remember all the time.”
Wow, I should not have said that.
“Oh.” Clara’s expression turns somber. “Sure. I can imagine. I’m sorry. Do you want to talk about it?”
And there it is. The big opening I can walk through and “unburden” myself. I’m not going to do it, though.
“Nah, I’m fine. I met some good people there, anyhow. They made the time worth it.”
That’s enough of a redirection that Clara takes the bait, and she smiles, scooping up a bit more food.
“Like that Cameron guy, right? You said you met him there?”
As she eats, I try to take a few bites of my own, but my appetite is a bit lacking at present.
“Yes. Cameron was there. A few others I don’t really talk to anymore. But I also went with my brothers, and that was something, all right. Phew, you think we fought before? Uh-uh, it’s nothing on when we were there.”
I’m keeping it surface level, and still, even getting remotely close to discussing the Marines is enough to make my skin itch.
I finish my beer, walking to the fridge to snag another before I sit back down at the table.
It’s nothing to have two, so I’m not worried about my behavior around Clara.
“Oh man, I can only imagine. I know siblings can fight, but my sister is my entire life. Sure, we butt heads, but I’d?—”
“Do anything for her? Yeah, I know the feeling.”
When she looks over, Clara offers a gentle smile, and I can see the memories flowing behind her eyes.
They look nicer than mine for the most part, but I know she said that being raised by her aunt and uncle sucked.
“I’m sure you do.” She nods, and silence breaks over the table again.
