Page 50 of Loving Lizzy

Lizzy turned in Diana’s direction, frowning at her nonchalant attitude toward her apparent friend.

“She’s a tough one and will put up a good fight. I can tell. She’s independent. She says she can fight it alone and doesn’t want to bother anyone. The nurses see right through her and tell her they accidentally made extra to send stuff home with her.”

Lizzy glanced at the doors leading into the waiting room and her heart lurched for the older woman. When she went through the lumpectomy, her younger version never considered the possibility of getting it again. When she got the diagnosis, she prepared meals and froze them, bought lemon lime soda, crackers, and the morning of surgery she changed the sheets on her bed and washed all her laundry before leaving in a cab to head to the procedure. She relied on no one. She remembered the feeling of loneliness and helplessness when she felt too weak to get out of bed to grab a single glass of water. Her mind didn’t attempt to fathom how someone did chemo alone.

A while later the nurse unhooked Diana and she waved her goodbye as she bounced from the room. Lizzy laid back in her chair and watched as nurses herded people from a chair and wiped it down for the next person.

“You’re all done Elizabeth.” The nurse removed the tubing and Lizzy rose. “We gave you nausea medication and Dr. Safder sent you home with a prescription. Use our after-hours number if you run into any issues or think of any questions.”

“Thank you.” Lizzy didn’t feel any different, and hoped the side effects skipped her. She walked into the waiting room where Saint read an outdated magazine and Edie crocheted. “I’m all done.”

Saint stood and she didn’t miss him scan her for any visible signs of distress. The older woman calmly put away her craft and stood. Saint took the bag from his mom and offered her his arm while he held out the other for her.

“Miss Lizzy, I’ll drive the truck around,” he told her as he stopped before the entrance. She stood next to Edie and waited for him to return.

“Everything will turn out fine. Let your mind take a break. Michael’s blown-up Saint’s phone worrying over you. I’m surprised he’s not in the parking lot.”

“I told him I can handle it,” she murmured.

Edie stared at her. “Sometimes it’s not about how you feel. It’s about feeling needed. Even your friends, some of the strongest women I know, require help or a guiding hand now and then.”

“They’re lucky to have you, Maddie, Carol, and Victoria. You seem like one big family. I always dreamed of getting adopted with a house full of brothers and sisters.”

“If you search hard enough, you might find out you already got one.” She stepped outside the doors as Saint pulled up his truck and hurried to help his mother in.

Lizzy walked out and Saint showed her the cooler with water, lemon lime soda, and emesis bags stored in the back seat. Saint handed her a blanket. “Kassie sent supplies through Chase as a backup,” he told her before he closed the door. Edie arched her brow at her before turning to gaze out the window.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Michael raced down the mountain hoping to return home before Saint brought Lizzy. She insisted he keep his appointment and he worried nonstop. He wanted to hold her hand and lend her his strength. One good thing about knowing Kassie, she knew people. She flew in a renowned massage therapy instructor. Michael insisted on paying for the course and flying the man across the country. Kassie gave him a number and he wrote her a check. When the instructor showed up, he made the mistake of letting it slip how much Kassie paid him to do the one-on-one instruction. The amount sent him staggering and he knew she’d refuse his money if he insisted. He vowed to figure out a way to repay her. Now, she supplied the patients for his clinical hours portion of the certification. Today, however, his mind raced to Lizzy and the instructor ordered him to go home to his wife.

Michael frowned at the title. He wished to make Lizzy his wife again. The gulf between them seemed wider by the day and he didn’t know what else to do. They lived like roommates instead of lovers.

A text appeared on the screen in his car.

We arrived at the house. She did great.

Saint texted.

On my way.

Michael responded.

He pulled onto the street and let out the breath he held when he parked in their driveway. He exited the car and hurried inside. Lizzy lay on the couch and Edie placed a blanket over her.

His eyes scanned the love of his life and Edie shook her head at him.

“She’s doing just fine, baby.” She patted his cheek. “Her body’s worn out and she barely kept her eyes open on the way home. I don’t think she slept good last night. The first day’s done and behind her.”

Michael swiped his hand through his hair. “Thanks, Edie, I appreciate the help.”

“We’ll be here if you need us.” Edie tugged on Saint’s arm, indicating they needed to take their leave.

Michael brushed the bangs from Lizzy’s eyes as he gazed at her sleeping. He went down the hall, cleaned the master bathroom, and added a box of gloves to each of the rooms. Victoria and Ivan dropped off food with a fruit tray. He took out his computer and set it up across from Lizzy. He practiced the strokes he learned and the importance of each one. Glancing up every now and again to check on the woman he loved.

An hour later, Lizzy finally stirred. She turned to find Michael coming toward her. He knelt beside her and stroked her hair.

“Hey. How do you feel?”

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