He seemed to know how it affected me because he shifted his gaze away. “I’ll do it…because you want me to.”Lizzie was at school, so Mom and I took Dad to the hospital and sat in the waiting room. The surgery was simple, would only take an hour, and the risk of something bad happening was minimal despite his age.
Mom sat beside me, sipping her coffee. “I wonder if they’re almost done.”
“It’ll be over soon, Mom.” I had my arm around her over the back of the chair, rubbing my palm across her skin.
“You think he’ll be okay?” she asked, hesitation in her voice.
“I know he will.”
She nodded, absorbing my positivity. “You’re right. Because he knows I’ll kill him if he dies.”
I chuckled. “He’s not going to die.”
“We’ve been together so long, since we were seventeen. And we’ve got so much more life to live.”
“And imagine how much more life you’ll be able to live when he’s running around again.”
“Very true, honey.”
“It’ll be alright, Mom.”
She nodded then drank her coffee.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, so I pulled it out. Derek’s message was on the screen. How is he?
Still in surgery.
Alright.
Mom must have seen what he wrote because she said, “That’s nice of him to check in on you…and give you the day off.”
“Yeah, he’s a good guy.”
“Maybe. But I think he might be more than a good guy.”
“Mom.” I rolled my eyes and put my phone away.
“Lizzie showed me a picture of him.” She whistled quietly. “That is one gorgeous man.”
“I’ll tell Dad you said that.”
“Psh. I showed him the picture, and he said the same thing.”
I laughed because it did sound like something Dad would say.
“Maybe he’s more than a boss to you…”
“I’m not sleeping with him.”
“I know…but maybe he wants to sleep with you.”
“Mom.”
“What? You’re so smart and gorgeous, Emmy. There’s no way in hell he doesn’t notice.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not everyone thinks I’m perfect like you do. You’re my mom, of course you think that.”
“That’s not why I think it at all.”
“Even so, our relationship is professional.” I would never tell anyone about the erotic stories he’d written about me, and as far as I could tell, he’d stopped writing them. Even though I thought he was the most desirable man on the planet, I turned off all those feelings and kept my eyes on the road. He was my boss—end of story.
“Would it be the end of the world if it stopped being—”
“The doctor is coming.” I was anxious to end this conversation and find out what happened to my father—two birds with one stone.
We rose to our feet and watched him approach.
“How is he?” Mom blurted.
“Very well,” the doctor said. “He did great, and he’ll be ready to leave in twenty minutes. The procedure was clean and simple. No complications. I think he’s going to have dramatic improvements in the next few months.”
“Oh, that’s so great.” Mom clutched her chest, relieved by the news.
“Thank you,” I said to excuse the doctor.
“Well, that’s a relief,” Mom said. “I can’t wait to get him home.”
“Me neither.”We visited with my dad for a while, had dinner like usual, and then he went to bed early after the long day.
I went back to the apartment with Lizzie, and after she brushed her teeth, she went to bed.
I stayed in the living room to watch TV and enjoy a glass of wine. Since I’d taken the entire day off and Derek’s book was finished, I didn’t have any pressing matters requiring my attention, so I chose to wind down for the evening.
My phone lit up with a message from Derek. How’s your father?
I was surprised he’d texted me again when he’d already checked in with me earlier. The question was sweet because it was genuine. He’d been thinking about it all day, waiting for me to give him an update, and when he couldn’t wait any longer, he reached out to me again. Good. The procedure went well. We got him home, had some dinner, and put him to bed. He’s not in much pain, which is great.
I’m happy to hear that. And you?
I know this is going to change his life for the better, so I’m glad it’s done. Just have to get him into physical therapy and start that process…but in time, he’ll be good as new.
I’m sure he will.
I thought the conversation was over, so I set my phone to the side.
He texted me again. Is there anything I can do for you? Bring you something to eat?
It was such a thoughtful gesture…and so unexpected. I’m okay, but thank you.
Because I can get a burger over to you in no time.
I chuckled because I knew it was a joke, even in the context of a text. LOL. Now I’m going to want one for lunch tomorrow.