Page 113 of Mine For The Winter

“It can be, yes.” The doctor nodded. “If the appendix is allowed to rupture it can cause a bad infection. But from what we can tell Cole’s appendix is distended but hasn’t ruptured yet.”

“So what happens?” Paul asked, his voice thick with worry. “Can you give him some medicine to make it better?”

“I’m afraid not. We’re recommending emergency surgery to remove Cole’s appendix. There’s a big risk that if we do nothing it will end up rupturing and we don’t want that.”

“Do you know what caused it?” Paul asked, and Kris immediately felt guilty. He’d let Cole eat and drink whatever he wanted last night. “He played hockey yesterday,” Paul continued. “Could that have done it?”

“No.” The doctor shook her head. “We’re not certain what caused it but it wouldn’t be from activity. It’s more likely to be a blockage in the appendix or an infection. Either way it’s important to remove it as soon as possible, so we’re prepping Cole for surgery now.”

“Likerightnow?” Paul frowned. “Can I see him?”

“I’m afraid not. We have infection control procedures and only his parents can be with him right now.” She checked her chart. “I believe his father is on his way.”

“Lyle?” Paul asked, his voice raising. “He’s coming here?”

Kris blew out a mouthful of air.

“I believe so.” The doctor nodded. “I need to get back to my patients now. Do you have any other questions I can help you with?”

Paul shook his head, and Kris did the same.

“Okay, then. We’ll keep you posted with any updates.”

* * *

Kelly stood and watched them wheel Cole out of the pre-op room and into surgery, her heart breaking because she couldn’t go with him. They’d allowed her to sit with him while they prepared him for surgery, double checking his medical notes, his allergies, and giving her the consent forms to sign. She’d called Lyle again before they went in, but he hadn’t answered. She assumed he was on his way – he’d said as much when she’d spoken to him right after they arrived at the hospital.

Though she assumed it would be over by the time he got here. It was a long way from L.A. to Winterville, after all.

“He’s going to be fine,” the nurse who stayed behind told her.

Tears sprung at Kelly’s eyes. “I hope so.”

“Let me walk you to the waiting room. Your dad is there, right?”

Kelly nodded, her throat tight, as she followed the nurse down the hallway. When she got to her dad she’d ask him to call Kris because she wasn’t sure she’d be able to talk without crying. Seeing Cole laying on the gurney, his body looking so small in the hospital gown they’d put him in, had made her want to sob out loud.

But she’d kept it in somehow. Smiled for him. Squeezed his hand and told him it was going to be okay. “Come on,” the nurse said, opening the door to the waiting room for her. “Go give your dad a hug.”

As soon as she stepped into the room she saw Kris. He stood and walked over to her, enveloping her in his arms and for the first time in hours she let herself go, her body feeling weak as he held her.

Her breath was short, her eyes wet, and dammit she was snotty. Kris stroked her hair, his face resting against her hair, and she cried against his shoulder because she’d been strong for too long.

“Is he okay?” Kris murmured.

“They took him away. The surgery should take about an hour or so, they said. They’ll let me see him once he’s in recovery.”

Kris nodded, then took her face in his hands, his eyes taking in her wet eyes. “He’s going to be okay. Cole’s a fighter.”

“I know.” She nodded, pressing her lips together. “He is.”

“And you’re an amazing mom. You got him here quickly. That’s the important thing.”

She looked up at him, her face crumpling. “I’m not amazing. I spend too much time working. If I didn’t I would have known there was something wrong.”

“I was with him all day and I didn’t realize it either.” He brushed her tears away with his thumbs. “I just plied him with fucking sugar and meat. If anybody’s to blame it’s me.”

“When the doctor asked him, he said he’d been having stomach aches on and off for weeks. But he hadn’t wanted to say something because I had enough to worry about.”

---