Page 3 of Secret Seduction
I’m currently checked in at the hospital, which is nice and conveniently located at my doctor’s office, a separate wing from his attached office, and from what Lennie says, this makes it easy for Doctor Gallo and Doctor Camden to perform surgeries like today. They also deliver babies and make their rounds later in the day or if one isn’t on call, the other will.
Mom and Dad would be in here as well, except I kicked them out to change and told them to go eat since they didn’t before they picked me up from my house this morning. I’d have much rather driven myself, but my instructions firmly stated to have a ride to and from the procedure. My father, the man he is, will more than likely deny my wishes to drive me to my follow-up appointment in a few days, too.
It’s a fight I won’t have. I’ve learned in life that he’s the strong and steady one, until one of his girls goes down. Coralynn broke her collarbone in high school, a hazard from being a flyer on the cheerleading team. Dad wouldn’t leave her side, driving on two wheels into the hospital parking lot then running into the emergency room, where he demanded he be the one who accompanies her to get X-rays. Mom and I sat by, allowing him to do his thing, waiting our turn to dote on my sister.
When Mom comes down with a cold, he’s the exact same way but only leaves for work, and still, he’ll call her nineteen times a day. She acts bothered, but we all know she secretly loves it. He’ll even call his children in to ask for help—picking up soup, grabbing medicine, and to sit with her until he gets home. He’s the man who’s built rock solid, taller than all of the women in his life by a head and shoulders. Dad is also a gentle giant, the one you least expect to have a soft spot, yet he does for the ones he loves. Zane is the exact same way as my father now that he’s older and has children of his own.
Fast forward to today, well, actually two weeks ago when I delivered the news to my parents first. I told my sister when she came home from vacation and my brother via a telephone call. Well, Dad tried his hardest to get me back home, demanded I quit working and rest. Literally, I was sitting on the couch in the living room while we were talking, when he popped right out of the chair, found a foot rest, and propped my feet up. I was also given the riot act for not telling him about my menstrual cycle and having all the complications I kept to the women folk in my family. Needless to say, dear old dad wasn’t too pleased. He didn’t raise his voice in any capacity. He took my hand in his, wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and held on to me for a good long while.
He only allowed me to leave later that day after feeding me grilled chicken wings, salad, and French fries, a favorite meal of mine, which Mom followed up with warm brownies, including a generous serving of vanilla ice cream on top. The button on my pants was threatening to pop off from all the food. Dad then proceeded to offer to drive me home at least ten times and was only okay with me driving myself when I promised to call as soon as I walked in the door.
I did as promised. The phone call once I got home also meant Mom and I got to talking, and she admitted that Dadhad to step into the other room when I left. He later came out with red-rimmed eyes and walked through the house straight to the garage to tinker the entire time we talked. He was still out there when we hung up, and I proceeded to have a big fat crying jag, completely unable to handle my father breaking down.
“Whoa, how did you manage to get a room to yourself?” Coralynn asks, not bothering to knock, just walking in like she owns the joint.
“Pretty sure this is the norm. There’s no bathroom in here.” I shrug my shoulders, except now I’m worried that if they keep me overnight, there’s the potential of having a roommate.
“Not that. This is just a pre-op room. Duh. I mean, where are the parentals?” My sister is in attire fit for the studio—an oversized beige sweat shirt with LITHE emblazoned on her chest, the collar cut off in order for it to hang off one shoulder, what looks like a black exercise tank or sports bra underneath, maroon leggings, white socks that are scrunched around her ankles, and sneakers.
“Oh, sorry. Not all of us can fire on all cylinders without caffeine.” Or sleep, but I’m not going to play the woe-is-me card. Besides, I’ll be sleeping during and after the surgery. Then there’s what I’m sure will be the inevitable naps while I recuperate.
“Figures. I’d offer you mine.” Coralynn makes a face that says it all.
“Yeah, I’d rather not cancel this surgery. I’m thinking one day without coffee is better than bleeding any longer than I have to isn’t such a bad deal. Mom and Dad are hopefully atthe cafeteria. The early morning hustle to hurry up and wait has them a little grouchy.” I put my fingers together to show my sister what I mean. We both know Mom hates the early mornings, whereas Dad is chipper as can be. It makes for an interesting turn of events. They also looked worse for the wear—Dad with worry and Mom with sleep clinging to her eyes.
“I’m sure that took a lot of convincing, especially with Dad.” Coralynn comes closer, dropping her bag on the chair near my head and looking around the room.
“His stomach growled. I told him it’d make me hungry, plus I had to change. They left reluctantly. Are you going to stand around all day or give me a hug?” She’s holding back, which means one thing and one thing only: Coralynn is nervous. Next, she’ll start pacing. I swear I’m not sure who is worse, her or our father.
“I never could play poker, huh?” I lift to a sitting position, the cool air hitting my backside with this stupid hospital gown. Zane wanted to fly in for my surgery, but I told him it would be silly to take time away from work when he was here a couple of months ago.
“Not at all.” I wrap her up in my arms. My baby sister. She always acts strong, like there isn’t a care in the world, and then there are times like these, when she needs reassurance probably as much as we all do. Coralynn holds me longer than usual. I can feel her tremble in such a way that you can tell she’s holding back the tears threatening to slide down her cheeks.
“Okay, okay, I’m done being a baby.” When she pulls back, there’s no sign of the emotion she portrayed momentsago. “You look gorgeous, sister dear, simply gorgeous,” Coralynn says jokingly, because there is no way in hell I look good in this get-up.
“Is it the hair net or the compression socks?” I move the warm blanket and sheet out of the way, lifting my leg closer up in the air to give my sister a little show, pointed toes and all.
“Honey, you are the full package.” Coralynn is lying straight through her teeth; all the while, she has a smile plastered on her face. I love her for it, though, breaking through the tension when it’s much needed.
“Sure.” I roll my eyes at her antics. She takes a seat, crossing her legs and nabbing her drink to probably finish it off. While I’m an iced coffee drinker, she likes it so hot that I’m pretty sure she’s burned off her taste buds. “By the way, do not stay here after they take me back. There’s no need for all three of you to be sitting in a cold and sterile room.” I lie back, placing my head on the pillow before turning to look at my sister’s face, tempted to pull the older sister card and point at her. Except she’s not six anymore, and I’m not an asshole.
“I’ll do whatever I damn well please. The studio doesn’t open until after three today, so don’t try to boss me around. I’ll tell the doctor on you.” I’m about to respond when a light tapping interrupts my train of thought.
“Hi, Shaelynn, are you ready for today?” Doctor Gallo asks, stopping to press down on the hand sanitizer and rub it into his skin. He’s wearing a pair of dark blue scrubs, white coat, and a scrub cap to keep his hair contained.
“Hi, Doctor Gallo. As ready as I’ll ever be,” I reply.
“I’m going to go get the parents while you two chat.” Coralynn pops out of her chair, skirts around the doctor, and once she’s behind him mouths the wordshe’s hotwhile fanning her face. I can’t even roll my eyes or make a retort because I’m left with Doctor Gallo facing me.
“Thanks,” I reply. He waits for her to exit the room before going over what he’ll be doing today. The good and the bad, basically everything he said at my appointment, and a lot will depend on what he finds when I’m in surgery. Once he’s done with his spiel, the nurse comes in, and I jot my signature on the dotted line. They’re both gone in a matter of minutes. I grab my phone, pull up a game to play, and wait on my family to appear before I’m taken back for surgery.
2
LUKE
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath when I see the state of my office. It’s a wreck. There are coffee mugs, half empty bottled waters, papers from notes I left for myself to take care of today, and who else knows what. There’s no end in sight. Tackling the mess will be my first order of business. We have nurses, medical assistants, receptionist, and administration assistants, but this isn’t part of their job, and with Lennie officially out on maternity leave, it means pulling up my shirt sleeves to get to work.
The only reason she ever helped in my office is because the woman couldn’t sit still. She’d come in here during her break, take a small nap on the couch nestled beneath the window, then wake up and pick up around my office.
