Page 102 of Dr. Brandt

The thought of leaving the hospital turned me into a wreck in the first place, and getting an ear load of this crap from my parents was enough to send me to the crazy house. There were no winning arguments with them, and I probably wouldn’t hear from them for at least a week because I wasn’t being their obedient daughter.

“Enjoy your evening with Warren. Tell Jacks we love him again, and we look forward to updates,” my mother said, becoming her usual aloof self, and I had no energy to give a damn at this point.

“I will. Fly safe.”

We gave our final goodbye hugs, and now, all I wanted to do was talk to Warren. He, of all people, understood how horrible my parents could be to me in the name of their love.

A nice evening out, a few laughs, and someone I could depend on sounded nice. Jacks was with Cam, so I knew I could get away safely. Mom and Dad were out of here, and now I could focus on Jacks without hearing about how irresponsible I’d been for running off with Cameron and taking him back after all these years.

Later that night…

“I’m telling you,” Warren said, straightening his tie, “Jacks is one strong kid. Cameron said he’s even impressed with Jackson’s advancements in physical therapy.” He looked at me through the mirror where I stood behind him before he turned around and smiled at me. “He’s already in the rehab center of that hospital, so that means he’s coming along well.”

I forced a smile; I’d been doing that a lot lately with Warren. It was strange. Part of me needed him right now, and part of me needed him gone.

“I know,” I finally answered Warren. “Are you sure we should be going out to dinner to celebrate? Maybe we should be bringing the dinner to Jacks.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Warren said, smiling. “Yes, I’m sure we should be going out tonight. You need it. This afternoon you couldn’t stop telling me how happy you were that your parents were gone and that getting out would do us good. Let’s get away, and let your mind unwind some.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “Listen, I’m heading back to New York for a couple of days now that everything is settled here. It will be nice to have some one-on-one time to sort things out, you and me. There’s nothing to worry about with Jackson. You said that you feel so much better now that he’s in the rehab center. Stop allowing your mind to run all over the place. There is no need for that.”

I couldn’t deny how very off everything felt. Being back with Warren—if that’s what anyone would call this—wasn’t sexual. There’d been none of that. It was like having a roommate or a close support system, and there’d been no pressure in the romance department. And when I thought about it, that’s what Warren’s and my relationship had been like for quite some time before I even called off the engagement.

I smiled. “Well, you and I are not officially back together,” I said, hoping he was assured we weren’t a couple. “But I appreciate you being here for Jackson and me.”

“Let’s just go get dinner,” he said, dismissing me as he always had. “I have reservations, and then I’m leaving on a red-eye flight tonight. So, let’s stop talking about all this stuff that stresses us out and focus on how we will work together to support Jackson once he’s released from the hospital.”

“That sounds nice,” I said.

After a delicious yet exhausting meal with Warren, I was glad to be back at the hospital. I felt good after having eaten, but all I wanted was to see my son. I didn’t want to think about relationships; more than that, I was sick of everyone telling me what I should and shouldn’t be doing. Or how I should or shouldn’t feel. I just needed to see my son.

I walked into the hospital, noticing how different this place felt at night. Strangely, it was more peaceful and more promising. At least it seemed that way since my son had awoken from his coma.

I walked into the serenity of the pediatric ward, seeing the holographic images on full display for the children. This place was unique and such a beautiful environment for the kids.

“Ms. Stein,” Sally said. She was the evening receptionist at the entrance of the pediatric ward, and she knew me intimately by now. “You look well. Did you do okay, leaving for a while?”

I smiled at her. Her long chestnut hair was pulled neatly into a ponytail, and her glasses highlighted her deep brown eyes. “I wish. I honestly don’t think I will have it together until I leave in a month with Jacks,” I said.

“Feelings of guilt?” she questioned with a sympathetic grin.

“How’d you know? Sheesh, not even Warren could pick that up,” I laughed.

“Most parents who leave for the first time come back with the same guilty expression you have. It’s a normal emotion given everything you’ve been through.”

“Very true,” I said, being reminded that I wasn’t the only parent going through a nightmare like this with a sick child. “I need to stop thinking I’m the only mom worried about her child like this.”

“That’s very common too,” she said with her friendly smile. “Don’t beat yourself up or you’ll be no good to Jacks when you see him.”

“How’s he been doing?”

“Well,” she looked at her Apple watch and chuckled, “since you’ve been gone, he’s finished up with the speech therapist.”

“The speech therapist came tonight?” I said, stopping her from saying another word.

“Yes,” she looked at me skeptically. “Ms. Stein, all is well. The therapist said she enjoyed the progress that was made tonight.”

“Thank you, Sally,” I said, then pulled my purse strap in tighter and nearly speed-walked through the halls to get to the elevator.

This is why I haven’t left the hospital. And this is why I shouldn’t have gone out for dinner tonight. I can’t believe I missed the speech therapist’s visit!

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