Page 104 of Close Match
Only one has more audacity than the others. He plops in the seat next to me, and I mean mug him. He holds up his hands. “Dude, I was just wondering if you think I could get one of those at the gift shop.”
“I brought this one from home.” And I should have brought more than one, I think hazily as the vodka begins to trail warmly through my system.
“Yeah, you look like the kind of guy who might have had a backup plan.” My eyes narrow. What the hell does he mean by that? But before I can ask, he gripes, “Should have thought to have brought one of my own with the crazy-ass lunatics from my wife’s family who just had to come with me.”
I grin at the older gentleman before telling him regretfully, “Sorry, I don’t think they sell them downstairs.”
“They damn well should,” he mutters, giving a loud group of people a few feet away a mild sneer.
As I think about Linnie fighting for her breath which comes so smoothly when she sings, or even how I cause her to lose it when I kiss her, I don’t disagree with him in the slightest.
Beads of sweat start to pop out as I wonder how long it will be before they let me back to see her.
* * *
“Monty…”
“Are you sure you’re up to call your family back?” She’s safe and in my arms. I’m stroking her long braid, and I don’t want to let her go. Six hours later, Linnie’s in a private room for the night as a “precaution.” Dr. Spellman’s even come to see her, disquieted by the fact that apparently she reacted to the anesthetic, which never came up on pre-op testing.
Linnie assured him she didn’t fault him. “How would I have known? I’m just pleased your team was so efficient in handling it.” He patted her shoulder over and over, making sure she was all right as he explained what would happen next. Linnie’s bone marrow was being processed so it could go into her father starting tomorrow. “But I’m confident we’re looking at a positive outlook. We’ll know within a few days.”
Now, Linnie’s looking at the room service menu like it’s going to disappear and arguing with me about calling her sister. The relief permeating through me is enormous. When I finally got back to see her paper-white face in recovery, I was petrified.
As if her nose is itching from 900 miles away, the phone jumps in Linnie’s hands, cutting our argument short. Linnie looks down. There’s a picture of a smiling Bristol and Simon holding baby Alex that Bristol texted. “Yeah, I’m totally up to calling her.” Quickly punching in her sister’s number, she waits for her to answer the call. “Congratulations, Bris. To all of you.” Her voice is tender.
There’s a lengthy pause. “Stop. I’m fine. I had no idea either. I thought it would be an easy in-and-out procedure. I know we talked about it, but no one could have predicted this would happen.” Another pause. “Besides, that’s not what we’re focusing on today. Tell me about your beautiful new son.” She reaches for my hand.
Quickly, I walk around the bed to take it. “Bristol, honey. I am so thrilled for you. You deserve this happiness. It’s a miracle you made. And stop worrying about me. Besides, you have to be just as exhausted.” A shorter pause before Linnie starts snickering. “Um, yeah. Of course you told Simon to get you cheesecake. Did he really think that your cravings were over just because Alex was born? Does he realize that now you’re a mother that he has a lifetime of being in your debt?” Linnie’s laughter is the most beautiful sound in the world. “I’m so sorry this caused even the smallest blemish on your perfect day, love.”
“She needs to eat,” I call out. Linnie glares at me. Then her face softens.
“No, he’s not wrong. I’m tired, hungry, and all I want to do is sleep. I imagine you’re feeling the same way.” Another pause. But when she talks again, her voice is much softer. “I love you.” Pause. “Always. And that little one had better be getting extra kisses from me. I’ll be there as soon as I can to give him a million more.” God, that sends shards of panic through me at the idea of Linnie leaving, but I tamp them down. “Now, get some rest. It might be the last night you get to sleep for eighteen years.” She laughs. “You bet your ass I enjoyed reminding you of that. To the moon, Bristol. Always.”
Linnie pulls her phone away from her ear and presses the End button. “I love her so much. I don’t know how I would have got through everything without her.”
I growl. Linnie lets loose a light laugh. “Part of me loves that you’re so protective of me, but you don’t need to protect me from the people I love.”
Something twists inside me when she says that. “I feel like I need to protect you from everyone.”Including me.
“I don’t give up on the people I love. You fix the problems that are buried deep inside them.” My heart races when her hand that has a capped-off IV reaches up and cups my cheek. “Same goes for you, buster. Not that I expect you to step out of line anytime soon.”
“I’ll try not to.” I chuck her chin lightly.
“Good.” She plops back against the pillows. “Now, how about a cheeseburger?”
“I believe the nurse said a light dinner. See? They even have them marked with anL?” I point out to her.
She pouts in response.
“The creamy chicken…” I start to read, but she interrupts.
“Sounds like it will taste like ass. I want real food.” And that’s when I grin. She’s going to be just fine.
Now we just have Ev to worry about.
Sixty-Three
Evangeline
