Page 54 of Right Place, Right Time (Second Chances)
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kate
Jeez, I was on the verge of freaking out this morning when Jay asked if I meant what I said last night. For half a moment, I thought that he may have Googled what I’d said in French and gotten the translation. That would have been mortifying!
Sure, there had been a few, small harmless things like asking him if he knew I spoke French, telling him he’s sexy, that it felt good, and begging him not to stop his ministrations. But I may have also let it slip that I was falling in love with him. Maybe…just a little bit.
Thank goodness he’d only been referring to my change in major. I don’t think either of us are ready for the L word.
But I can’t dwell on that because I got some great news this morning! Casey has finally agreed to go on the transplant list! I completely broke down when her mom and Decker shared the news with me. Was it my tough love? I don’t know…and I don’t care either. My best friend is choosing to fight! I feel like I could walk on water right about now.
Right now, Jay and I are hanging out at mine and Casey’s apartment with Mrs. Evans and Decker while Casey gets some much needed rest. She’s still in the hospital, and usually, one of them always holds vigil at Casey’s bedside, but she was asleep when Decker offered to drive her mom home, and Mrs. Evans made him come inside to take a shower and begged him to get some decent rest. He’d agreed to the shower, but declined the rest. He would only sleep at the hospital. It’s sweet, in a totally stubborn way…he and Casey aresoperfect for each other. And now they might have a chance.
When they’d arrived and found Jay and me at the apartment doing laundry and collecting more of my clothes to bring back to Jay’s, Mrs. Evans ordered a pizza and insisted we all eat together. After the pizza, Jay and Decker remain at the table and play cards while Mrs. Evans and I retreat to the couch.
“How’ve you been, sweetie?” she asks me, taking my hand.
We’re sitting side by side on the couch, facing each other with our legs tucked under our bottoms. It’s a position I’ve sat in with Casey too many times to count, sharing our woes about school, work, boys, and everything else. The memories flip through my mind like a slide show and before I know it, I’m a sobbing mess being cradled in Mrs. Evans’ arms.
“I was so mean to her,” I cry, drawing the attention of Jay and Decker. I absently note that Jay is off his chair and by my side in seconds, his hand rubbing circles on my back while Mrs. Evans runs hers through my hair.
“Shh,” Mrs. Evans soothes. “Kate, sweetheart, you can’t beat yourself up over that. You were under duress. It was a long day and a lot had happened. Lord knows my stubborn daughter doesn’t make it easy for any of us,” I hear Decker laugh and mumble something in the background.
“She’s right, Kate,” Decker says, sounding closer now.
I sit up and wipe my eyes and face. Jay sits behind me on the couch, and I settle into his embrace, then look up at Decker. “She still didn’t deserve me unloading on her like that after a cardiac episode. She had just woken up…she was weak.” My eyes well up with tears again.
Decker squats down to my level. “Kate…I think we’ve all said some things to Casey this week that were a bit harsh. In her defense, she’s going through something none of us understand, but at the same time, we all wished she would pull her head out of her ass and see what we see. I know I’ve gotten more than a little frustrated with her myself.”
“Me, too.” Mrs. Evans adds. “Kate, you’ve heard the conversations Casey’s father and I have had with her over the years. They weren’t always patient and kind. That was the second time you experienced something like this with her, you were scared. I think anger and frustration were natural reactions.”
“Now that she’s agreed to the transplant, she’s probably feeling like a butthead anyway,” Decker says, smiling. I’m not sure I’ve seen him smile so much since he’d arrived on our doorstep. “You should go see her.”
“You think she wants to see me?” I ask doubtfully.
“Oh, I know she does. I think she realizes the kind of stress her condition has put you in over the years…the added responsibility. Plus, I think she misses her best friend.”
“I thought you were her best friend?” I ask, quirking my eyebrow at him. He’s pretty territorial.
“Nah,” he says with a wink. “I’m her boyfriend.”
My eyes light up and, if possible, his smile widens. “Really?” I squeal, clapping my hands in front of me like a fool.
“Really.”
A few more tears slip from my eyes, but this time they’re tears of joy. “I’m so happy for you, Decker.”
He stands up, looking about ten feet tall. “My work here is done. I’m gonna head back. You,” he says, pointing at me, “go see her tomorrow.”
I smile and nod. We say goodnight to Decker, and Jay and I decide to spend the night at the apartment with Casey’s mom. We watch reruns ofThe Golden GirlsandThe Nanny, much to Jay’s chagrin, and eat lots of ice cream.
The only thing missing is Casey…and her boyfriend.
***
After standing outside Casey’s hospital room for more than ten minutes, I finally push the door open. I’d passed Decker coming off the elevator, and we chatted for a moment. He said Casey was having a good day. As enthusiastic as I’d been last night about seeing her today, I’m suddenly extremely nervous to come face to face with her.
“Wow, seventeen minutes. That might be a record,” I hear Casey say when I step inside. She must think I’m Decker. He said he would grab a bite to eat to give us some time. I pause at the edge of the curtain and peer over at Casey. She’s looking at the small, wall-mounted TV; an episode ofFamily Feudis playing.
