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Jackson looks at them like they’re crazy. “What’s so funny about that?”
Trevor grins. “Nothing, Dad. We’ve heard the roof there is an especially nice spot.”
Brody nearly spits out his food. Aunt Cass has now caught on and she’s trying to contain her smile. Jackson looks at Mom. “Darian, I feel like we’re the only two missing something here.”
Mom responds to him but is looking right at me. “It sure does, Jackson. We’re most definitely missing a few things here. We’ll figure them out soon though. Don’t worry.” I gulp.
The rest of the meal is uneventful. It’s the normal Knight-Lawrence banter.
Brody and I are about to leave, but before we do, Mom pulls me aside. “Which day this week should I come and meet you for lunch? I think we have some things to discuss.”
I give Aunt Cass a look, and Mom picks up on it. She turns to Aunt Cass. “Cassandra, do you know what’s going on with my daughter and her bullshit story?”
“She’s an adult, Dare. This is her life and her story to tell. Not mine.”
Mom turns back to me. “Harley. Which day shall Aunt Cass and I meet you for lunch? I know she’ll make herself available.” Aunt Cass nods.
I put my head down. “Friday.” I’m trying to buy as much time as possible. I know this conversation is going to be a nightmare. I should’ve told her everything before it came to this.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
THE PRESENT
HARLEY
Friday comes around quickly. I’m scrubbing in early this morning on a coronary artery bypass graft with Dr. Powers. You take a blood vessel from another part of the body and attach it to the coronary artery when there’s a blockage. It allows for a new open passage to the heart.
It’s a common procedure for her, and I’ve watched her perform it from the gallery above about five or six times, but it’s my first time being in the room for one.
I’m extremely excited about it. I’ve probably “performed” the procedure a thousand times in the lab, but this is the first time I’ll see it up close and on a real person. Brody said he’d watch from the gallery when his surgery is over.
We’re about three hours into the surgery, and I see Dr. Powers stretching her hand and then making a fist, back and forth. I look up at her. She shakes her head. “Just some cramping. I need a minute.”
She manipulates her hand in all directions, but after a few minutes, she doesn’t seem to be any better. “Can someone please page Dr. Callahan.” He’s another cardiothoracic surgeon at the hospital.
A nurse responds. “He’s not in the hospital today, but I’m sure he can get here in about thirty minutes or so.” Just then, the patient’s heart rate becomes erratic.
Dr. Powers yells for the nurse to immediately page Dr. McCrevis. She turns to me. “Harley, you’re going to have to complete this. At least until we can get Dr. McCrevis in here. I’ll talk you through it.”
I nod. My own heartbeat is off the charts. I know what to do, but having her talk me through it helps. Before I know it, an hour has passed, and I’ve completed the entire procedure on my own. The patient is closed, and all of his vital signs are normal.
Dr. Powers looks at me proudly. “You did it, Harley. Congratulations.” I give her a huge smile. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my entire life.
Just then, Dr. McCrevis walks in. “Sorry Liz, I was in surgery. Tell me what you need.”
“I don’t need anything now, Phil. Dr. Lawrence performed the procedure. Flawlessly at that.” I’m now grinning from ear to ear, though otherwise trying to play it cool.
He looks at me and holds out his hands. “Congratulations, Dr. Lawrence. That’s quite impressive.”
“Thank you. I’m just thrilled to have been able to help.” I leave to scrub out of the surgery.
There’s only one person I want to see right now. I can’t wait to tell him and share my happiness with him. I didn’t see him in the gallery, but I was so focused, I’m not sure that I noticed anything outside of what I was doing.
I quickly scrub my hands and run out of the O.R. I see Brody turning the corner. He has a huge smile. “Congratulations, Dr. Lawrence. I heard the good news.”
I don’t know what comes over me. Maybe it’s the adrenaline rush or the pure euphoria of the moment. Perhaps it’s the fact that I’m in love with him and want to share this moment with him. Without thinking of anything else in the world, I run to him and leap into his arms.
I wrap my legs and arms around him and kiss his lips. It’s not a peck either. It’s a real, sensual kiss. He tightens his arms and I grab onto his hair, as I let the utter bliss wash over me.
