Page 9 of A Kingpin's Weakness
“The family of Noah Sparks?”
The doctor’s voice sliced through the air just as we stepped into the waiting room. My body froze. Everything around me blurred as I braced myself for what was coming.
“Right here,” Jo and I said at the same time.
“I’m his mother,” she snapped quickly, stepping forward. “You can talk to me.”
The doctor gave a polite nod. “I’m Dr. Gray. I was the lead surgeon on Noah’s case this morning. He was brought in withtwo gunshot wounds; one to the right leg, just above the knee, and one to the abdomen. He lost a lot of blood, but no major organs were hit or affected. We were able to remove both bullets and stabilize him.”
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
“He’s not out of the woods yet,” Dr. Gray continued. “Now we wait for him to wake up. He’ll be moved shortly to a recovery room, where two visitors can sit with him.”
Jo’s voice broke through. “There’s a chance he might not wake up?”
“We can’t say for sure,” Dr. Gray replied calmly. “He’s off anesthesia now, so he could come to at any time. It varies from patient to patient, but the surgery was a success. Right now, things are looking hopeful.”
He turned slightly, gesturing toward RJ. “Any questions or concerns, Nurse Alexander can help answer them.”
I barely registered the handshake as Dr. Gray wrapped up. “Once Noah is in recovery, Nurse Alexander will bring you back,” he added before quietly exiting the room.
“Let me check on some things, I’ll be right back,” RJ said, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek before walking off with the surgeon.
I watched him go, feeling the warmth of his support fade the moment he disappeared down the hall.
“Go ‘head, let’s hear it,” Jo said, folding her arms and leaning against the wall like she was ready for a fight. “I know you got some shit to say.”
I looked over at her, like really looked. She was expecting me to snap, waiting for me to tear her a new one like always. But she wasn’t worth the energy, not right now. Instead, I sat down in the corner, crossed my arms, and stared straight ahead. She didn’t deserve my words. Not today. I was saving everything I had for Noah.
“Stormi? Is that you?”
I looked up and immediately recognized the warm voice before my eyes even fully registered her. A light-skinned older woman with soft, curly hair hanging just past her shoulders. Her long sundress swayed as she moved toward me, graceful like always. Ms. Serena. I stood up out of respect, offering a small but sincere smile. “Ms. Serena. How are you?”
“I knew that was you,” she beamed, pulling me into a hug before stepping back to look me over. “What a beautiful young woman you’ve grown into.”
“Thank you,” I said softly, the compliment hitting somewhere deeper than expected.
Her smile dimmed slightly as she glanced around the waiting room, searching for answers. “Is everything okay? Why are you here?”
I hesitated for a moment. Saying it out loud made it real all over again. “Noah got shot yesterday. He just got out of surgery.”
Her face dropped. “My God.” She didn’t ask any more questions. Instead, she pulled me into another hug, this one warmer, tighter. A silent apology. A shield against the weight I was carrying.
“Can I pray for you?” she asked, her voice like a whisper wrapped in silk.
I nodded, and without another word, she took my hands in hers. We bowed our heads. Her prayer was gentle, filled with grace. She asked God to cover Noah, to touch every nurse and doctor who had worked on him, to bring healing and peace. And somehow it did. That peace. It came, subtle and soft, like a quiet breeze finding its way into a sealed room.
When she opened her eyes, she didn’t say anything right away. Just looked at me… really looked. She let go of one hand, only to wipe away the tear that had escaped down my cheek.
“I’m here with my church group,” she finally said. “We’re praying for the sick. But I’d love to catch up. Take my number.”
I unlocked my phone and entered it, knowing deep down I’d probably never use it. Not because I didn’t want to. Just because that’s what I did. I disappeared. She turned to go, but then paused.
“Actually, how about you come over for dinner Sunday?” She smiled, knowingly. “And let me get your number too.”
I smirked a little. Word must’ve gotten out I was a ghoster. We exchanged numbers. Hugged one last time. And just like that, Ms. Serena walked away, leaving behind a trace of calm in all this chaos. I agreed to a dinner I wasn’t excited about but maybe, just maybe, it would be good for me.
“I was told to give you this.”
