Page 45 of Damien
“Momma was with you at the baseball game?” she asks, and my nerves frazzle because I’m not sure where she’s going with this. But her inquisitive brows furrow, and God only knows what she’ll say next.
Attempting to influence the conversation, I say, “Yes, he was, sweetie.” Damien nods in agreement.
“Good. Momma loves baseball. Did you know she used to play when she was a kid like me? She says next year, I get to start playing once I’m in school.”
This kid. Could she be any cuter?
“She mentioned something about that,” Damien says as he returns to his full height. “I’m sure she’ll teach you when you’re ready.”
Her eyes whip to mine. “Do you think you can teach me next time we go to the park?”
“Uh… we need to see what the doctor says about your finger first,” I remind her.
Clearly, she may be injured, but she isn’t devastated by any means.
“I wanna play, too, squirt,” Sydney pipes in as she reaches for Vince’s hand. “I loved playing as a kid.”
Remembering my manners, I introduce Sydney to Damien. Then Vince suggests we take a seat while we wait to be seen. Julia climbs in my lap, and Damien takes the seat beside me as I ask, “Do you know how much longer the wait is?”
“We should be called back any minute. They’ve already triaged us, but they said the wait was another forty minutes or so when we arrived,” Vince offers.
Looking to Damien, I offer him an out. “I’d totally understand if you don’t want to stay for this. It could be awhile before we’re done.”
“I’m good for now,” Damien says as he relaxes back into his chair and crosses his leg over his knee. “I can head out once you go back to see the doctor—or I can wait here to find out the verdict. I’ll leave it up to you, Vanessa.”
Surely, he has better things to do. But could this guy be any sweeter? I’ve completely derailed our plans for the day, and he’s choosing to sit in a waiting room for God knows how long, just to hang out with us?
Jules buries her head in the crook of my neck, and I feel her body relax. Her hurt hand rests on my opposite shoulder. As I feel her breaths slowly even out, I listen to Vince and Sydney make small talk with Damien. Sydney, being the master of manipulation, uses her skills as a bartender to get Damien to tell her why he’s here at CRU. When Damien asks about what they’re going to school for, Vince and Syd explain their degrees in business. I don’t even bother to be a part of the conversations as I’m too focused on Julia being in my arms, safe and secure.
Eventually, a nurse comes into the room asking, “Julia?”
Instinctually our entire group stands, and her eyes widen. Though she quickly regains her composure as she calmly asks, “For now, let’s just go with immediate family.”
“I’ll be right here, sweet girl, when you get out,” Sydney says as she ruffles Julia’s hair.
When I look to Vince, he’s torn. I can tell he wants to come with us yet wonders if he should stay with Sydney in the waiting room. Not knowing the extent of her injury, I’d feel better if he were there to listen carefully—should things go awry. I remember all too well what it was like being alone at the hospital last time. Reaching for his hand, I whisper, “Come on, Vinnie. Jules may need you.”
Turning to Damien, I say, “Thanks for an amazing day. Sorry it had to end under these circumstances. I’ll let you know when I know what’s going on.”
“Please do.” He nods.
I don’t have time to say more because we’re whisked out of the waiting room. God knows there’s no place I’d rather be than here with Julia in this moment but am I selfish that a small part of me wonders what it would’ve been like to have the opportunity to finish our amazing date and kiss him goodnight?
16
Damien
As I watch Vanessa leave,I see her face flicker with regret for having to end our date like this. Or maybe it’s just me projecting my feelings into the situation. The moment I see Julia fly into Vanessa’s arms, I know without a doubt, we’d made the right decision to be here. A girl needs her mom, and I’ll never stand in the way of that.
As I turn around, I contemplate whether I should retake my seat or just leave.
Sydney makes my decision for me when she offers, “If you’re not busy, I’d love the company while we wait. I’m a nervous wreck, and I’ll be bouncing off the walls while I wait—if I’m left to my own devices.”
“Well, that wouldn’t be good for anyone,” I say to put her at ease. Though let’s be real, I’d take just about any excuse to stay. Knowing Julia’s injuries aren’t vital. I saw the way Vanessa zoned out once she got her baby girl in her arms. I’d much rather see for myself that she’s holding out okay, than wait around for a text that may take hours to come.
As I return to my seat, Sydney looks at me closer, making me on the verge of being self-conscious. Then she shakes her head, and I’m forced to ask, “What?” to satisfy my curiosity.
“It’s nothing. I’m usually good with faces, and I swear I’ve seen you before—but for the life of me, I can’t place where.”
