Page 58 of Love on the Brain
“Texas is glad to oblige.” He handed her the flowers. “And I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” She dipped her head into the bouquet and closed her eyes. “These are beautiful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” They reached the carousel marked with the flight number from Boston. Ryan spied an open chair not too far away. “Why don’t you head over there, and Noah and I will get your luggage?”
She nodded. “Okay. Thank you. Let me just get his backpack.” She came around to the side and slipped it off Noah’s shoulders.
“Let’s go, big guy,” Ryan said, sliding Noah to the floor and taking his hand. “You be the lookout and I’ll be the muscle, okay?”
“I have muscles,” Noah said, lifting his arm and bending it in a flex. “You can’t see them cause they’re under my coat.”
Ryan held in a laugh. “No doubt. But your mom’s suitcase is as big as you are, so how about I lift it off the carousel and then you can pull it over to your mom?”
Noah thought for a minute. “Nah. I’ll just pull mine. You’re big, so you pull the big one.”
“Good plan,” Ryan agreed.
The buzzer sounded, signaling the arrival of the luggage. Jane and Noah’s bags were among the first to arrive. They were at Ryan’s car in record time, and after a quick lunch stop, he pulled into his parking spot at the hospital.
When Noah didn’t unbuckle right away, as per usual, Jane twisted around in the passenger seat. “C’mon, sweetie, let’s go inside so they can tell us all about what’s going to happen Monday. Then we can get dinner and maybe ice cream?” She looked at Ryan for confirmation.
“That’s a great plan. Let’s get this done,” Ryan said with forced cheerfulness, dreading the upcoming conversation.
* * *
In the waiting room,Jane fidgeted while Noah sat at a kid-size table with Ryan, playing a wooden game of tic-tac-toe. He’d complained of a headache on the plane, but it seemed to have subsided. Still, something felt off in the room.
“Mrs. Allen? The paperwork is ready for you to sign.”
“Noah?” A nurse opened the door next to the desk.
Jane looked from the receptionist to the nurse, wondering which to go to first.
“I can take him back,” Ryan offered.
Jane nodded. “Okay.” She walked up to the desk and presented her ID and insurance card.
The woman confirmed her information and placed a stack of papers in front of her. “This is the consent form, privacy policy, waiver. Sign here … and here. Initial all the places I’ve highlighted in yellow.” As she explained each, she peeled a label with Noah’s information and affixed it to the top of each page.
Jane read and signed and initialed, waiving rights and agreeing to—
Hold up.
Ryan’s name was not listed on any of the paperwork. Jane flipped through the pages, scanning the comprehensive list of risks, complications, side effects, and providers. Anesthesia, vascular, oncology, ophthalmology, neurology.Strange.Only Dr. Moreira was listed.
There had to be some mistake.
“Excuse me?” The woman looked up. “I think there’s a page missing. Dr. Engstrom isn’t listed on any of this.”
She frowned and reached for the clipboard. Jane handed it to her and waited while she leafed through the pages and checked her computer. “These are all the pages I have. Give me a moment to call neuro?”
Jane nodded and pulled out her phone to text Ryan about her delay.There’s a hangup with the paperwork. You’re not listed on it. How’s it going back there?
It’s going fine. Okay if I leave Noah and come out there?
Jane frowned.Sure.
She pulled on her ponytail as she waited, unable to shake the unsettled feeling growing in her gut. The receptionist hadn’t returned yet when Ryan reentered the waiting room. The anguish on his face caught Jane off guard.
