Page 69 of Losing the Rhythm

All of me felt heavy as I stared at Lindie. For a moment, I saw myself there instead. I could so easily become the one sitting there. I shuddered and slipped out of the room, taking deep breaths. I leaned against the wall in the hallway, eyes closed as I worked on my breathing.

That was all I needed to do. Breathe. I was okay. I wasn’t hurt. I wasn’t in danger.

I was okay.

I blew out a breath, making sure to empty my lungs before filling it back up with air again.

I was okay. I wasn’t in danger. I was safe.

“Cadence?”

I jumped and opened my eyes to look at the man staring at me with surprise. “Mr. S-Stokes.”

“What did I tell you? Call me George. What are you doing here?” His gaze went to the plaque by the door with Lindie’s name on it. I got to watch as it all clicked into place.

He knew now.

About me. My mother. More than I wanted anyone to know. He was Paxon and Calvin’s dad. I only wanted to seem like I was a normal girl in front of him.

“Cadence?” George asked again.

“Uh, I was just visiting.”

“Would you like to come down to the cafeteria with me? I’m finally able to have my break and I’m starving.”

“I should get going.”

“How about after you get some food in you? They make really good fruit parfaits. Non greasy. Light on the stomach. Healthy.” George’s smile was warm and friendly. It was hard to say no to him.

Before I knew it, we were sitting down in the quiet cafeteria. A massive fruit parfait sat in front of me, overfilling with fresh fruit. My mouth watered as I stared at all the pretty layers of fruit, granola, and yogurt. A huge mound of whipped cream sat on top of it.

George focused on his own parfait, looking like he was really enjoying himself. Slowly, I took a scoop, making sure it had all three combinations before eating. It was sweet, cold, and refreshing.

I kept eating.

Something so simple and yet for some reason, in that moment, it was everything. A lifeline. Proof that I was living and breathing and okay.

“The hospital prides itself in its privacy,” George finally said. “Not just with outsiders coming in to see patients, but also with doctors and patients.”

I licked my lips, hoping I didn’t get any whipped cream on my face. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I know you running into me here was less than ideal for you.”

His frankness left me speechless and I stared down at the parfait.

“I just want you to know, I don’t know anything. For now, all I know is that a woman named Lindie Wiles is in that room. I don’t know why and I’m not one to pry either. If I do find out, it will only be because you told me.”

“Is that even possible?” I asked, feeling like he was feeding me bullshit. But this was Paxon’s dad. If it was a different doctor I didn’t know, I wouldn’t have believed them, thinking they were just saying whatever they needed to placate me.

But with George, it felt like it was the truth.

“It is. She isn’t my patient and I’m rarely on that floor anyways. I was only doing a little consulting today. My specialty is elsewhere.”

I played with the spoon, my appetite slowly disappearing. “What is your specialty?”

“Outpatient care. Mainly helping along as patients work through physical therapy. It’s a two-prong method we take here. They don’t just come to get their mobility back. We also help them stay in the right mindset to remain positive and motivated.”

“I didn’t know you worked here.”

---