Neighbor Dearest

I know my mother probably didn’t touch the pizza. She’ll claim to be too upset to eat, but she’s never seen a chocolate-covered strawberry she could refuse.He was right. Monica had refused the pizza but ended up devouring the strawberries.

The third hour brought the biggest surprise of all. In walked our tenant, Gary, who was apparently still slaving away as a personal assistant to Damien in lieu of paying rent. He was leading the Double Ds on two leashes into the waiting room.

“They let the dogs in here?” I smiled.

Gary shrugged. “I guess? No one said anything.”

Letting them lick my face, I said, “I can’t believe they’re here.”

“Damien thought it would cheer you up to see them.”

“He was totally right.”

Gary handed me a wrapped gift. “He also wanted me to give you this.”

“Where is it from?”

“I have no idea. He gave it to me already wrapped like this.”

I opened it but had to quickly shield the contents from Tyler and Monica. It was a ménage book titled, Three Times A Lady. Of course, there was a note.I figured if anything could take your mind off me going under the knife, this would be it. Still a few hours to go. Happy reading.Gary handed me one more item. “He also gave me this envelope but said you can’t open it until the fifth hour.”

I took it. “Okay, thank you.”

When the final hour rolled around, I opened the envelope. It was a simple note.It’s almost done. I know you must be exhausted and scared, waiting for me to get out. Believe me, no one wants to get out of there more than me. I just wanted to remind you that even though a machine might be taking over my heart right now, it’s still only beating for you. I love you. Kiss my mother for me. Do NOT kiss Tyler. See you soon.The expected six hours had come and gone, and there was still no word from the doctor. Even though Damien’s tactics had worked to seriously calm us down up until now, I was starting to get really nervous again.

Really nervous.

Panicked.

What could be taking so long?

I just wanted so desperately to see him.

I turned to Tyler. “Do you think everything is okay?”

“I’m sure it is. The doctor said it could go over the six hours.”

“I just wish someone would come out to give us an update, let us know that everything is going as expected.”

Monica was quiet and just took my hand again. The mood was quickly dampening with each excruciating minute that passed. It seemed like forever since I’d touched him or heard his voice.

Finally, thirty minutes later, Dr. Tuscano appeared, walking down the hall toward us. My heart beat faster with each step he took closer. The three of us stood up.

He pulled down his mask and said, “Surgery went well.”

It felt like someone had released a thousand-ton rock off of my chest.

“The procedure turned out to be a bit more complex than we anticipated, which is why it took a little longer, but we were successful in doing what we needed to. He’s in recovery right now. I’ve asked a nurse to come out in just a little bit to escort one of you at a time to see him. He’ll be in recovery for a while before they move him into the intensive care unit.”

“Thank you so much, Dr. Tuscano, for everything.”

“It’s my pleasure. Damien is one of my favorite patients. I’m glad we finally decided to do this. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you a lot in the coming weeks during the post-operative period. You have my cell phone number and email if you have any questions at all.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

After he walked away, the three of us embraced in collective relief. A nurse approached soon after, and Monica and Tyler agreed that I should get to see him first.

My heart nearly skipped a beat at the sight of Damien sleeping in the recovery room. There was a tube coming out of his chest that seemed to be draining fluid. A nurse was monitoring his heart rate.

“Is he awake?”

“The anesthesia is still wearing off, but he woke up fine. He seems to be dozing off again, though,” she said.

I waited patiently for him to open his eyes. When his eyelids began to flutter, I said, “Baby, it’s me…Chelsea. I’m here with you now. You’re fine. You made it through. We have it behind us.”

Damien blinked repeatedly and seemed disoriented. It was hard to see my strong man in such a vulnerable state.

I just kept talking. “Welcome back to the living. You’re gonna be okay.”

“Chelsea,” he whispered.

Thank God.

“Yes, baby, it’s me. And your mom and Tyler are here, too. We’re so happy you’re out.”

He repeated, “Chelsea…”

“Yes. I’m here. I love you.”

“Where is she?”

“Your mom? She’s just down the hall. She’ll be coming in soon.”