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)
“That’s probably smart,” I agree. Because even though we don’t know anything yet other than Aiden’s got a bit of a fever, it seems like a huge event to me. Especially since he’s had steady improvement after the transplant. “Call me as soon as you hear something, okay?”
She doesn’t reply and there’s a lengthy silence. Finally, she says, “I’m going to put myself out there and tell you something.”
My pulse goes haywire. Is she going to tell me she loves me? Because I’m pretty damn sure that’s how I feel about her but when I’ve imagined giving the words, they didn’t happen over the phone.
Instead, she says, “I really miss you.”
I don’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed not to hear the L-word but I am incredibly pleased by her admission. Lilly holds things close to the vest and usually takes some prodding to get her feelings out.
“Probably not as much as I miss you,” I say, validating her for taking that brave step and affirming I’m right there with her.
Back at the table, the guys all give me shit.
“How’s the ol’ ball and chain?”
“Were you whispering sweet nothings? Is that why you had to take the call in private?”
“Think you can go five minutes without talking to her?”
It’s all in good fun and after they stop laughing, Foster gets serious. “How’s Aiden doing today?”
I shake my head in consternation. “He’s got a fever but so far, it’s staying down with Tylenol. They ran some blood work and Lilly’s waiting on the results.”
A fever could seem innocuous to most people, but these guys all know Aiden’s precarious situation. They were all at his birthday party and saw the precautions we had to take.
“He’s a tough little dude,” Van says. “And he’s in great hands. I’m sure whatever it is, they’ll get it knocked out flat.”
“Absolutely,” Foster says.
Bain is the one who adds a bit of practical advice. “Nothing you can do about it, man. Your head needs to be in the game.”
“It’s there,” I assure him.
Or at least it will be once we get to the arena for the game. Until then, I won’t be able to stop thinking of Lilly or Aiden.
Asking me to do that would be impossible.
CHAPTER 25
Lilly
Closing my laptop, I sigh with frustration. I can’t concentrate on my work and I’m afraid I might mess something up since my head’s not fully in the deli game. At least my dad is spending a few hours there this morning so he can check on things.
We’ve settled into a workable routine this week. I stay at the hospital during the day with Aiden and work on deli business. My dad comes at dinnertime and we all eat together. I’ll stay for a few more hours to hang with my family, then I go home to sleep. Dad stays all night with Aiden, claiming the recliner is quite comfortable, but I don’t agree with that sentiment.
In the early morning, he leaves to go open the deli so Georgie can come in at his normal time again. Dad stays for a few hours and then leaves the restaurant in Georgie’s capable hands so he can go to his outpatient rehab program. He attends a ninety-minute counseling session three times a week and he sometimes catches AA meetings at the hospital. When needed, Dad will go back and help out at the deli, but at least three times a week he’s committed to working out at the local Y and I love to see him taking his health so seriously.
I was truthfully concerned that a return to life with a busy restaurant and very sick son would immediately be too much, but on the contrary. I think keeping him busy has been good for his soul.
It’s not my dad preventing my mind from focusing though. It’s the young boy sleeping in the hospital bed beside me. Leaning forward in my chair, I cross my forearms on the rail and rest my chin there. I stare at Aiden as he slumbers, his chest rising and falling so gently, sometimes I can’t even see it move.
Aiden had a small cough when I arrived and coupled with the fever, I’m beyond concerned. I demanded his nurse page Dr. Yoffe to come see him. I have no clue if Dr. Yoffe is even on rounds duty this morning, and I don’t care. I want to talk to him and not any of the other oncologists as he’s the one Aiden and I are closest to. He gives it to us straight but with such an air of calm, you can’t help but have hope, even in dire times.
It didn’t help any that Aiden wasn’t hungry and wouldn’t eat his breakfast. He said he was too tired and just wanted to sleep and that had me in a near panic. If there’s one thing that rebounded the fastest after his transplant, it was his appetite. To me, a healthy eater is a healthy person, and the minute he didn’t want food this morning, I became convinced everything was imploding.