Page 23 of He Saved My Boy
“I understand this can be scary, but Connor will be in good hands and as soon as you’re able to, you’ll be with him.”
Taking a moment to process this wealth of information, another thought hits me. “Do you usually give such personal care to the parents of your patient?”
Without missing a beat, he pins me with his eyes. “Given our … um circumstances…” He looks around before returning his focus to me. “I need to make sure you’re completely on board with things before moving forward.”
Sighing heavily, I weigh my options. “You need to perform the surgery. The sooner we get it done, the sooner Connor is back to normal.”
Relief washes over Davis’s beautiful face. “Thank you.”
I’m not sure what he’s thanking me for. Agreeing to the surgery or trusting him with my child’s life.
“Will he need to stay in the hospital until we leave for Washington?”
“Oh, no,” Davis quickly spits out again. “With any luck, you’ll be discharged later this evening. But we may hold him overnight for observation—I won’t be sure until the surgery is complete, so I don’t want to give you misinformation.”
Oh. Wow. That’s soon. “Thank you so much for taking the time to explain everything to me, Davis. You can’t imagine the stress I’ve been under to be in a strange place and my boy in pain.”
“You’re welcome, Teagan. If there’s anything I can do to make this easier for you, just let me know.”
Would he do this for all his patients’ families? Or is this just how Davis is with me?
Before I can contemplate this further, Dr. Brighton returns. “Dr. Fallon, everything’s set for surgery. Ms. Frost, when you’re ready, a nurse will go over the necessary paperwork for us to get this show on the road. The surgery just got pushed up an hour, so a team of doctors will come through to explain everything in further detail shortly.”
Holy shit. Everything’s happening so fast.
Reaching out, Davis squeezes my shoulder for a long, calming moment. “Relax. We’ve got this. If you need anything, just let one of the nurses know, and it’ll be taken care of. I’ll see you when you bring Connor into the OR, and I’ll be the one to come find you the moment it’s done, to let you know how things went.”
“Okay,” I mutter as the crushing weight of what’s to come suddenly overwhelms me.
Squeezing once more, he says, “Seriously, Ms. Frost. We’ve got this. It’ll be over before we know it.”
* * *
Watchingmy baby being put under is one of the hardest freaking things I’ve ever done. I can tell he wants to cry as he clings silently to me on the walk to the operating room. I’m dressed in paper scrubs, covered from head to toe, as I carry him into the room.
Looking at his little body lying on the table will forever be etched in my brain. I barely register Davis’s reassurance that everything will be okay.
They’d better be. There’s no way I can handle the loss of Connor.
No mother could.
This might be a minor procedure in the big scheme of things but having to sign my name on and read the potential hazards of this procedure, it brings on an entirely new set of fears I haven’t even considered. Knowing he’s never been put under, I have no idea how he’ll react to the medications they’re prescribing him.
Even though I’ve had support with me, in the form of Jacob’s parents, it’s not like I’ve ever been super close to them. I’ve tried keeping a brave face but when they said they were going to the cafeteria to grab something to eat, I can’t make myself leave the room we’ve been left in to wait for Connor’s recovery.
The moment the door shuts, and I’m alone, the dam of emotions I’ve been holding in bursts, and the tears I’ve been holding since finding out Connor is in the hospital stream down my face. His tiny little face, trying to look so brave, and his inflamed elbow is something that I will never forget. Since his birth, it’s been Connor and me against the world. The thought of him undergoing something this scary alone guts me.
After I’ve given myself a moment to fall apart, I know I need to pull it together, or I’ll be a blubbering mess when Connor returns, which of course will scare him even more. Grabbing some tissue from the box on the counter, I blot at my face. It won’t do me any good to lose my shit. Connor needs me to be stronger than this for him.
Needing to wash my face, I walk to the bathroom nearby and take a moment to scrub away my tears. Catching my reflection in the mirror, I realize I’m a hot mess. I likely still smell of Davis, and I haven’t brushed my teeth or my hair, and I’d give just about anything to take a long, hot bath. My messy bun is falling to the side as wisps of hair flow around my face. I’m still wearing my dress from yesterday, and I’m certain my deodorant has expired.
Fuck, all my clothes are still at the bed and breakfast.
I hadn’t even thought to pack.
I just rushed out of there like the world was ending—which in a way it was, and I didn’t give it a second glance. That means no matter what time we get out of here, I’ll have nearly an hour drive to retrieve my things. I’m sure Jim and Dianne will be okay with Connor and me staying at Tilly’s tonight, though they’ve asked I stay the remainder of this trip with them. We can return to their place in the morning. If for some reason Connor is admitted tonight, I’ll just run to the store to get a change of clothes and some essentials.
Walking back to the waiting room, I’m relieved to find it empty. I could use a few more moments to myself. I attempt to distract myself by scrolling aimlessly through all my social media apps. After what seems like forever, I look at the time, and I’m devastated to realize Connor’s only been in surgery for about thirty minutes.
