Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
When we got back to Grams’ room, the nurse was done, and a doctor came in a few minutes later. He told us that although her stats had stabilized from the medication, she wasn’t trying to breathe on her own, and that wasn’t a good sign. They would repeat the CAT scan in the early afternoon to determine the extent of the damage. Each doctor who stopped in felt compelled to warn us that things were not looking good. It was as if they were trying to prepare us for what the afternoon test would bring.
Brody and I were both quiet for a while after the doctors left.
“She has a health care proxy. I found the papers when I was cleaning out her things in the apartment. She and your grandfather had them drawn up years ago. I never tried to have a new one made, because my lawyer said her mental capacity would be an issue if we drew up any legal documents. So even though I’m her legal guardian now, her health care proxy was made when she was able to make her own decisions. And those decisions were her wishes.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means her medical decisions get made by the person who she wanted to make those decisions, not me.”
“And who is that?” The answer was obvious, but I hoped I was wrong.
“You.”
I’d tried to reach Brody three times since the morning, but each call had gone straight to voicemail. I finally ended up sending him a text before Michael and I taped the spot with Payton Mara. When we were done, the text still didn’t show as delivered. I was growing concerned for so many different reasons.
“Everything okay?” Michael asked on the way back to the airport.
“Sorry, yes,” I lied. Well, sort of. “I just don’t like to fly. I get nervous for hours before.” It was the truth, but it wasn’t what had me preoccupied today.
“I think our seats are next to each other. My hand is available for holding. And squeezing if you need.”
I forced a smile. “Thank you. But usually I need more of a drool wiper than a hand-holder.”
He glanced sidelong at me before his eyes returned to the road, so I explained, “I take a Xanax, it knocks me out pretty good. But it’s either that, or my heart might crack a few ribs pounding so hard to get out of my chest.”
“Ah. Drool wiping it is, then. Even though I was looking forward to an excuse to hold your hand.” This trip had proven that Michael was the nice guy that I initially thought he was, not the bad guy Brody had warned me about. Although I was glad I hadn’t gone out with him. Until Brody, I’d avoided anyone who might make my heart race. Letting anyone in other than Drew had felt like I was cheating. But somehow, Brody had wormed his way into my heart without my even seeing it happen.
Michael and I had just cleared security when my phone buzzed in my jacket pocket. Brody’s name flashed on the screen.
“Hey. I’ve been trying to reach you all day. Is everything okay?”
“Sorry. I was in the hospital, and my phone was off. I just turned it back on.” He sounded exhausted.
“It’s fine. I was just getting worried. How’s Marlene?”
“Not good. They’re doing a repeat CAT scan now, so I’m heading to my place for a quick shower and change of clothes. She had a stroke.”
“Oh God. I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. They’re keeping her alive with machines right now. But they’re not giving us much hope that the second scan is going to come back better than the first scan. She has bleeding in the brain, and she’s not strong enough to survive surgery.”
“I don’t know what to say. What can I do?”
“There’s nothing anyone can do. The doctors are doing everything they can, and they’re still not sure it will be enough.”
“I’m at the airport in Miami. My flight should land about seven. Will you be there all night?”
“Yeah. I’m probably gonna stay again tonight. I have practice early tomorrow, and I already missed practice today. Not sure how things are gonna go, but I want to stay as long as I can. Coach will fine me, but he’ll understand when I explain things in person.”
“I’m available to bring up dinner or come sit with her so you can take a little break.”
“Thank you. But I’m good for now, babe.”
“I wish I would have had the chance to meet her before now. The way you talk about her, I know how much she means to you.”
“Yeah. She’s pretty great. More like family to me than most of my real family. They say blood is thicker than water, but that doesn’t mean shit. Everyone needs water to live.”
“That’s a beautiful thought. You should tell her that, Brody. Even if her eyes aren’t open. Maybe she can hear you.”