Page 7 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“If this is a check for millions, I thank you in advance.”

“Bitch, you pucking wish!” I holler and brace myself.

Picking up my own envelope, I gulp the lump forming in my throat before working on opening the envelope. I try to be nice about it in comparison to Alexandra, who’s ripping the poor thing like a paper shredder. I wished I didn’t need to “nicely” open the sealed envelope, but it was a habit with rooted meaning.

You don’t know if the documents within are medical bills or forms of consent revolving around approaching surgeries and all the “wrongs” that can happen.

By the time I finally have the folded paper in my grasp, I realize how quiet Alexandra has become. A mere glance confirms she’s well ahead of me, scanning the document with wide, teal-green eyes. Her shock has my heart galloping in suspense, but I don’t dare delay as I unfold the paper and read it.

I only make it a few words before my eyes are just as massive as Mack’s. My heart skips a few beats as I take a sharp inhale of air.

There’s no way.

No pucking way.

This…

This is…

“I… made it?” The words sound foreign.No.My voice didn’t even sound like me. The level of disbelief matched with the emotional relief that rolls off my tongue is so apparent, I become more emotional as my eyes grow glassy.

The screech of the stool dragging across the wooden floor is followed by footsteps that invite long arms that wrap around my neck from behind.

“Congratulations, Mikayla,” Father whispers with a voice full of pride. “You got the internship.”

“I got in.” It still seems unreal. I glance to my left to see Father’s eyes that are beaming with happiness for me. “I-I actually got in!”

“You worked tirelessly to achieve your honors degree. Summa cum Laude, if you forgot, at the top university in Ontario,” he reminds me before hugging me the best he can. “I’m so proud of you. My little girl did it.”

His praise has tears pooling and running down my cheeks as I hug him tightly back.

“Your mother would be so proud.”

Mom.

Seven years now gone and in the kingdom of paradise without us.

No matter all the various doctor trips, specialists, hospitals, and even selling everything we possibility could to get privatized care in the United States, it was inevitable.

Heaven just needed my mother for greater things.

Noticing how quiet it is, I pull away from Father and realize Alexandra and Coach Cyrus are no longer in the kitchen. Frowning, I look back to Father, fearing the worse, but he smiles and shakes his head.

“She got in, too,” he reveals and further lowers his voice. “You know how emotional she gets when she achieves something that so many told her she couldn’t do.”

“Yeah,” I respond and bob my head, knowing damn well how hard my best friend worked to achieve this. Heck, she worked so hard and asked for help, even from her ex and his father, just so she could pass. Alexandra hated asking for help, but goodness, if she wanted something, she’d do anything to achieve it.

When your ex-boyfriend’s a doctor and his father passed a good chunk of that knowledge to his son, you’d pick at their brains to get what you need to graduate nursing school with honors.

“I can’t believe this is actually happening,” I admit.

“We’ll have to celebrate,” he encourages and pats my shoulder before squeezing it lightly. “Minus getting shit-faced Mary-had-a-little-lamb drunk.”

“Ugh!” I groan. “You’re going to use this against me for the rest of my life.”

“Probably.” He has no shame. “I have one more announcement, though,” he admits as I wipe away my tears.

Just then, the doorbell rings.

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