Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
“Yeah,” he drawls with a shake of his head. “That’s not going to happen. You’ve got to eat.”
“I don’t have time—”
“Get your head out of your ass,” Bain growls, giving me a push toward the dining room. “You have to eat and eat well. You can research on your phone if you want. Better yet, we’ll call Kiera and you can ask her questions.”
I jolt as I realize that’s even better than Google since Kiera’s nursing expertise is in oncology. It’s a kind of “duh” moment.
I capitulate, even though I can’t say I’m overly hungry. The black cloud hanging over me due to this news has stolen my appetite, but I did promise Lilly that I’d kick ass on the ice. Treating my body right is key to that, so I will load up on lots of good protein and veggies today. Tomorrow I’ll load carbs.
By the time I’m at the table, Bain is calling Kiera. When he connects with her, he explains what’s going on. We chose to sit with Camden and Hendrix who listen in quietly as they hear the news of Aiden’s complication. When Bain hands me the phone, they watch with worried expressions.
For the next half hour, I get my fill of medical information. Kiera’s knowledge is a bit limited since she didn’t work in a hospital setting but she promised to do some research for me and talk to one of the doctors she works with to ask for guidance. She’ll help me curate a list of questions for Lilly to ask, which will hopefully take some of the burden off her over worrying about whether she has the complete picture.
It’s all I can do from here, for now.
CHAPTER 27
Lilly
“I have arrived,” my father announces as he enters Aiden’s room, his arms loaded with bags.
“Did you get me Twizzlers?” Aiden asks as he swings his legs over the edge of the bed.
I never thought watching my brother get out of his hospital bed could be such a thrilling experience, but after all the sleeping he’s done over the last few days, this burst of energy seems on the level of a miracle.
He’s a very sick kid according to the parade of doctors who are in and out every day, but today he’s made a bit of a turnaround and I’m hoping it means the medications are working. We made plans—we three Hoffmans—to watch the Titans take on New Jersey tonight in game four.
I’m wearing Boone’s jersey and Aiden, of course, has on his Highsmith jersey. My dad doesn’t have any Titans gear other than a hat, but it’s perched proudly on his head. He even pulls out a purple foam finger he picked up.
“Twizzlers,” my dad announces, tossing the bag to Aiden who catches it easily.
“Not until after you eat dinner,” I say sternly, nabbing it right out of his hands.
“Yes, Mom,” Aiden drawls, and my dad and I exchange a smirk.
Tonight’s feast is Aiden’s favorite—lasagna from an Italian restaurant a few blocks down from the deli. Dad picked up an entire pan, along with crusty garlic bread and salad, although none of us touch the salad. We’re all vegetable lovers, but our family motto is why fill up on that stuff when we have cheesy goodness to stuff our bellies?
I help Dad set out all the food as Aiden moves back to the bed. I try to ignore the fact that he’s breathing a little fast just from that small exertion and remind myself that he’s been fever-free for the last twelve hours. Of course, his last chest X-ray this morning didn’t show any clearing in the lungs, but we take our victories where we can get them.
“Artie threw in extra cannoli,” my dad says as he pulls out a separate paper bag that I’m guessing houses dessert. I’m hoping Aiden will want one. He’s hardly eaten anything lately but honestly, if he only wants the bag of Twizzlers, I’ll gladly welcome those sugary calories into his depleted body.
I dish out paper plates of lasagna along with napkins. Aiden tunes the TV into the game and we keep it muted until it starts. Dad and Aiden make side bets on who will score first and who will incur the first penalty. I’m silently watching, taking in every subtle movement by my brother and analyzing the strength in his voice. He’s energetic tonight but then again, he slept hard all day. I had to wake him for meals and then fight with him to get him to eat.
When I say fight, I mean… we fought. He told me to stop hovering and being so bossy, and I told him to stop being so bratty. At one point, we were doing nothing but glaring at each other.
Of course, Boone called not long after and I completely thawed. I didn’t even talk to Boone since he called to talk to Aiden. Whatever he was saying on his end had Aiden smiling, then laughing, and I was pleased to see color in his cheeks not brought on by the exertion of walking himself to the bathroom.