James
We’ve been here all night. Hours on end, waiting. It’s just starting to brighten now outside, and neither of us has slept.
Paige was too worried to fall asleep even though I assured her I’d wake her if something happened.
She’s propped up against me. She’s gone from crying to staring into space as we wait.
I can’t imagine what she must be going through.
I’ve been lucky enough to go through life without worry like this. When Grandfather died, we expected it. He was ninety-five and lived a good life. My other grandparents died when I was too young to remember them.
I also imagine her fear to be even worse because of what happened to her father.
I truly wish she’d told me her mother was this sick, but I understand why she didn’t. Paying the money was nothing to me because I have so much. To her, though, it was everything. It would have killed me if I didn’t have that brilliant idea to play this game of mine that turned out to be so much more than what I bargained for.
I lift my head when the surgeon comes into the waiting room, and Paige bolts out of the chair.
“Hi, Dr. Mulligan is she okay?” Paige asks. Her voice sounds so weak.
I stand next to her and put my arm around her shoulders.
When Dr. Mulligan smiles, relief washes over me.
“Yes. Good news. We managed to perform the surgery, and she seems to be responding okay,” she answers, and Paige’s face lights up.
“Oh my gosh, thank you so much,” she gushes.
“We still have to keep her under strict observation. She’s going to be with us for a few weeks, and you’re looking at quite a lengthy recovery, but I’m confident that she’ll be okay.”
“Thank you.”
“Thanks, Doctor,” I say too and shake her hand.
“When can I see her?” Paige asks.
“Probably in an hour or so. She’s in the recovery room at the moment. Once she comes back onto the unit, I’ll send someone to get you.”
“Thanks.”
She dips her head for a curt nod and leaves us. Paige hugs me hard and feels frail in my arms.
“Baby, we’ll see your mom when they give us the go-ahead, and then I’m taking you home,” I tell her. She’s exhausted.
“I don’t want to leave her.” She shakes her head.
“You need rest. Come, let’s sit. Try to sleep, and I’ll wake you when we can see her.”
She nods. “Thanks so much for being here. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me. I’m truly grateful, James. The surgery wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
“I’ll take care of you now.” I mean that. I mean it in every sense of the word. Tonight was hard, but it opened my eyes to a lot.
It’s taken a weight off my shoulders too because now I don’t have to worry about her going back to the club. She doesn’t have to worry about her mom either. The door is open for us to any number of possibilities, but… there’s still the overarching factor of my job.
* * *
Two weeks have passed since I last saw Paige. Her mother is doing well. I never expected to meet Paige’s mother in the hospital, but that’s the way it happened. She insisted on meeting me, and she was as gracious as Paige was, thanking me for my help.
I’ve missed Paige to no end. I’ve left her alone to be with her mom, figuring she’d contact me when she could. She’s sent messages every day and we’ve spoken a few times, but it hasn’t been the same.