Page 31 of Love on the Brain
“Wait on the IV,” Jane commanded. “He’s stable enough.” She met Cruz’s gaze in a challenge. She would fight him if she had to, to make Noah’s time in the ambulance the least traumatic as possible.
“Yes, ma’am.”
* * *
Hours later,Ryan slid his phone into his pocket and pulled at his hair in frustration. The soonest he could assemble his dream team to remove Noah’s tumor was more than a month out. Waiting that long was gambling with the rate of growth, but it was the best option for long-term success.
Now he had to tell Jane. She wasn’t going to be happy about more steroids, less activity, constant monitoring, and relying on others, but what else could he do? Electing to have the surgery sooner would likely result in only a partial removal and leave the potential for exponential growth and more long-term aftereffects.
Entering the room, he was surprised to see a red heart-shaped balloon tied to the rail of the bed and a large box of Valentine chocolates sitting on the blanket between Noah and Jane. A teddy bear dressed in an Astros jersey sat on the windowsill.
“The nurse said he could eat,” she said before he could comment. “Dale and Connie ordered these from the gift shop.”
“No worries. Hey, buddy.” Ryan lifted the bear and sat. “No love for the Astros, huh? They’re the World Series champs.”
Noah shook his head. “Not for long. The Sox are gonna win it this year.”
Ryan laughed. “We’ll see. How are you feeling?”
“Better.” He turned his head, and his eyes met Ryan’s. Jane’s eyes. He had Casey’s face but Jane’s light blue irises. “When can I go home? I miss school. How can I graduate pre-K if I don’t go?”
Ryan snuck a glance to Jane, who twisted her rings in her lap. She shrugged.
“Well, we can’t let you on a plane until we’re sure you won’t have another seizure,” Ryan said. “I’ve prescribed some medicine to help with that.”
Noah sighed. “More pills. It’s good I’m big because babies can’t swallow pills.”
“Wanna know a secret?” Ryan leaned in.
“Yeah.”
“I couldn’t swallow pills until I wasten.My brother Wes could even do it and he was your age.”
“Really?” Noah frowned. “Huh. I guess it can be hard.”
“It can.” Ryan replied in a serious tone. “Even some grown-ups have trouble. They have to get shots instead.”
Noah shuddered. “No, thank you!”
Ryan laughed and leaned in again. “I share your opinion. Hey, is it okay if I borrow your mom for a few minutes? She looks like she needs a walk or a coffee or something. I bet she hasn’t moved from that seat since y’all got here.”
“Only to go potty,” Noah whispered, looking over at his mother, who’d narrowed her eyes. Ryan had no doubt she could hear every word of their conversation.
“I see. So she probably needs dinner, too, then?”
“I can hear you,” Jane said. “And I’m fine.”
Ryan shook his head. “A word of advice. When a lady says she’s fine, she is one hundred percentnotfine.”
Noah scrunched his nose. “Huh. But Mommy doesn’t tell lies.”
“Nope. She probably doesn’t know she’s not fine. Ladies who say thatwantto be fine, and by saying so, they are trying to convince themselves it’s true.”
“Now that is just nonsense!” Jane exclaimed. “Don’t listen to him, Noah. If I say I’m fine,I’m fine.”
Noah turned back to Ryan and whispered, “I see what you mean. Take her for dinner. I think she’s hangry!”
Somehow Ryan managed to keep a straight face. “I think that’s a great idea.” He handed Noah the communication remote. “If you need anything or anyone, you know what to do, right?”
