Fix Me

“I’ve got to run a few errands. I’ll probably be gone two hours, three tops. I don’t want you to be here by yourself.”

I sighed, so tired of being babysat. “I’ll be fine. I’ll sit in the solarium or hang out in the living room and watch—I mean listen—to a movie. I won’t do anything risky. With me lately, that includes walking and showering.”

“It was an accident,” he assured me. “I trip. I run into things. Everyone does. It happens.”

I slowly shook my head. “I don’t think it is quite the same.”

“No, not exactly the same, but I think you know what I mean.”

“I do.”

We finished eating. I sat on the stool like a bump on a log while he cleaned up. It made me feel completely useless. I hated to think it, but I was looking forward to him leaving me alone. I wanted to be alone. Mel wasn’t coming over. I didn’t want company. I wanted to be alone.

“Is there anything else you need?” he asked me for the tenth time after getting me situated in the living room.

“No. I’m good. You’ve got me all set up. All I’m missing is a bedpan.”

He chuckled. “Trust me, I thought about it.”

“Not a chance in hell buddy, not a chance in hell.”

His soft laughter washed over me. “Fine, but please, stay put. I’ll be back in a few hours. Do you want me to pick up anything?”

“I’m good, thank you. That’s the one thing I can do.”

“What’s that?”

“I can shop,” I said with a smile. “I speak into the air or use my iPad and voila, whatever I want shows up at the gate within a few hours or days.”

“You really have to meet my friend Austin. You two take hermit living to an entirely new level. Did I tell you he built a nightclub in his house, so he doesn’t have to leave?”

I laughed. “Yes, you did, and I think it’s a great idea. Why leave the house when everything can come to you.”

“You get to get away with that for now, but soon, we are going to shop until we drop.”

I doubted it, but I would go along with the fantasy. “Boy, you have no idea what kind of challenge you’re throwing out there.”

“I’m up for it. I’ll come over as soon as I get back.”

“Don’t worry about me. Trust me, I can be alone. I’m a big girl.”

“I know you are,” he said, dropping a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

I listened to his receding footsteps. I heard the door close and knew I was alone. Finally. I let out the breath I felt like I had been holding for the last hour. I loved the guy, but I needed a few minutes. A little longer than that.

Waiting until I knew he was gone, I reached for my phone. “Call Ellis Tanner,” I spoke into the speaker.

“Hello,” I heard her say, a few moments later.

“Dr. Tanner, this is Bree Sullivan. I was wondering if you had a few minutes to talk?”

“Absolutely! I’m so glad you called. What can I do for you?”

“Um, I wanted to ask you how confident you are that the surgery will be a success.”

“I’m confident it will work, but I can’t promise you that. I can’t make any promises, but I am confident. The majority of the cases have been a su

ccess.”