Page 88 of Where We Fall

“Lexi, Marcus,” the doctor says as he addresses us. I’m honestly surprised with all he has to focus on, like surgery and saving lives, that he has enough space in his brain to remember our names.

He turns to focus on Lexi. “Surgery went well. Your mother is on her way to the recovery room. She’ll likely remain asleep for another hour or so.”

Lexi sighs. “Thank you so much. When can I see her?”

“The nurse will be out shortly to tell you her floor and room number. You can head straight there. The nurses will help your mom in the following days with her recovery. I’ll be in and out to check on how she is progressing. Then we will set up a physical therapy and recovery plan for her.”

“Ok. Thank you again, doctor.”

“My pleasure.”

After he walks away, Lexi turns to me, and I see her tension begin to fade away. She walks into my arms.

“I’m so relieved,” she whispers into my chest.

“Me too. Surgery was the first hurdle. She made it through that.”

I feel her head shake up and down on my chest.

“What if she doesn’t do her physical therapy?”

“One day at a time, remember? We can’t play thewhat ifgame. That’s just asking to drive yourself crazy.”

“Ok.”

I haven’t told her yet, but I’ve already made some calls to find the best physical therapist in the city and the best mental health therapist who works solely with dementia patients.

Insurance won’t cover the best of the best, and I want her mom to have that.

I want her to have the peace of mind that her mom is receiving the best care out there.

The nurse comes out to let us know where Elaine is. I walk hand in hand with Lexi to find the elevator and get to the wing of the hospital where the recovery patients are.

For the first time since we’ve arrived, I feel like Lexi is breathing a bit easier.

We walk into the room and see Elaine hooked up to machines and resting peacefully.

“You go ahead and sit with her,” I tell her. “I’m going to go grab us some lunch.”

Even though we need to eat, I’m mainly using this as an excuse to give Lexi time alone with her mom. I think it should just be her there when she wakes up.

So, I take my time in the cafeteria, perusing the menu options. Hospital cafeteria food has come a long way since I remember. I can recall being in them a lot when my grandparents were in the hospital, and the options were gross.

Or maybe as a kid, anything but chicken nuggets and fries wasn’t good enough for me.

Either way, I occupy myself until I feel like it’s been enough time, then grab some turkey sandwiches. Before returning to the room, I stop in the gift shop and get Elaine a bouquet of flowers.

When I get back, I hear voices before I round the corner to turn into the room.

“That man, the handsome fella, he’s your boyfriend?” I hear her mom’s soft voice.

I tense, waiting for a shit storm to ensue.

“He is. I love him,” her beautiful voice echoes in the room.

“How long have you two been seeing each other?”

“Over a month, maybe closer to two now. I haven’t done the math.”

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