of the upper heart chambers beat erratically. This puts them out of sync with the heart’s lower chambers—the ventricles.”
Adorned in scrubs, the kind-eyed, middle-aged man continued their consult by quoting treatment procedures along with recovery plans. Jodie tried desperately to absorb his words, but her head pounded, and dread held her in a grip.
“Ms. Cunningham, let me assure you, he’s stable now, and he’s resting comfortably. I’m taking the precaution of admitting him for overnight observation due to the fact that he hit his head. There’s swelling and bruising, so I want to be sure he gets through the next twenty-four hours without complication. After that, I’m confident he’ll be back to normal.”
“Thank you, doctor. When can I see him?”
“I’ll have the admissions receptionist let you know when he’s settled in his room. Shouldn’t be more than fifteen or twenty minutes.”
Jodie stood in tandem with the physician who extended his hand, concluding, “During the exam and treatment process, I got the impression he’s a tough individual. I wish you and your dad all the best. From this point on, he’ll be monitored by his primary care physician.”
She nodded, bereft and alone once he swept out of the waiting room and disappeared through a set of sliding steel doors that led to the interior of the ER. Jodie trembled. She had alerted Tracee, but they were on their way north with every worldly possession in tow. Jodie would never ask or expect them to change their plans; besides, the situation didn’t warrant a full-scale turnabout. So, she had assured her sister and brother-in-law that the situation was under control and promised continual updates.
Despite their encouragement and love, Jodie had never felt so isolated and scared.
She wandered aimlessly for a few moments, continuing to battle shivers as she prowled the open space of the common area. Meantime, she kept alert for any type of come-forward motion from the admissions clerk.
“Hey.”
Jodie spun when she heard Kevin’s voice from behind. During a moment of stunned suspense she gladly lost herself in the tender openness of his eyes. Tremors branched into a vibration that played against her nerve endings, calling her to him. Overcome, she didn’t give herself a moment to reconsider or hold back. She stepped into arms that opened readily and she sank against his strong, warm chest.
“Kevin.” she whispered his name, holding on tight, breathing deep of earth, wood spice, and the scent that belonged to him alone.
“I cut out of work as soon as I received your text. Are you OK? How’s your dad?”
She couldn’t answer. Her throat grabbed and tears crested her lashes, tracking down overly warm cheeks. He led her to a nearby couch in the waiting room, and for the next few minutes, she rested in the circle of his arms and brought him up to speed.
“All he wanted to do was get the morning paper from the front porch. He lost his footing when he bent, and he toppled over. Thank God the neighbors were out in their yard and saw it happen. They called 9-1-1, then my cell. You should see his cheek. It’s all scratched and black and blue. He hit his head pretty hard, so he’s got a nasty lump and more bruising. His heart is so blocked the doctors are talking about stents. At first when they brought him in it was jumping all over the place. Kevin, I’m so frightened for him.” She dissolved all over again. The release was exhausting, but it became a source of freedom as well. Meanwhile, he held her close, and steady.
“Miss Cunningham?”
Jodie snapped to attention when she heard her name called, all but charging for reception. Kevin followed close behind. “Hi, I’m Jodie Cunningham. My father, Grayson is the patient.”
“He’s been moved to his room, so you can go visit him now. Seventh floor.” She handed Jodie a blue slip of paper with a printed map and the receptionist’s handwritten notation of the suite
Adorned in scrubs, the kind-eyed, middle-aged man continued their consult by quoting treatment procedures along with recovery plans. Jodie tried desperately to absorb his words, but her head pounded, and dread held her in a grip.
“Ms. Cunningham, let me assure you, he’s stable now, and he’s resting comfortably. I’m taking the precaution of admitting him for overnight observation due to the fact that he hit his head. There’s swelling and bruising, so I want to be sure he gets through the next twenty-four hours without complication. After that, I’m confident he’ll be back to normal.”
“Thank you, doctor. When can I see him?”
“I’ll have the admissions receptionist let you know when he’s settled in his room. Shouldn’t be more than fifteen or twenty minutes.”
Jodie stood in tandem with the physician who extended his hand, concluding, “During the exam and treatment process, I got the impression he’s a tough individual. I wish you and your dad all the best. From this point on, he’ll be monitored by his primary care physician.”
She nodded, bereft and alone once he swept out of the waiting room and disappeared through a set of sliding steel doors that led to the interior of the ER. Jodie trembled. She had alerted Tracee, but they were on their way north with every worldly possession in tow. Jodie would never ask or expect them to change their plans; besides, the situation didn’t warrant a full-scale turnabout. So, she had assured her sister and brother-in-law that the situation was under control and promised continual updates.
Despite their encouragement and love, Jodie had never felt so isolated and scared.
She wandered aimlessly for a few moments, continuing to battle shivers as she prowled the open space of the common area. Meantime, she kept alert for any type of come-forward motion from the admissions clerk.
“Hey.”
Jodie spun when she heard Kevin’s voice from behind. During a moment of stunned suspense she gladly lost herself in the tender openness of his eyes. Tremors branched into a vibration that played against her nerve endings, calling her to him. Overcome, she didn’t give herself a moment to reconsider or hold back. She stepped into arms that opened readily and she sank against his strong, warm chest.
“Kevin.” she whispered his name, holding on tight, breathing deep of earth, wood spice, and the scent that belonged to him alone.
“I cut out of work as soon as I received your text. Are you OK? How’s your dad?”
She couldn’t answer. Her throat grabbed and tears crested her lashes, tracking down overly warm cheeks. He led her to a nearby couch in the waiting room, and for the next few minutes, she rested in the circle of his arms and brought him up to speed.
“All he wanted to do was get the morning paper from the front porch. He lost his footing when he bent, and he toppled over. Thank God the neighbors were out in their yard and saw it happen. They called 9-1-1, then my cell. You should see his cheek. It’s all scratched and black and blue. He hit his head pretty hard, so he’s got a nasty lump and more bruising. His heart is so blocked the doctors are talking about stents. At first when they brought him in it was jumping all over the place. Kevin, I’m so frightened for him.” She dissolved all over again. The release was exhausting, but it became a source of freedom as well. Meanwhile, he held her close, and steady.
“Miss Cunningham?”
Jodie snapped to attention when she heard her name called, all but charging for reception. Kevin followed close behind. “Hi, I’m Jodie Cunningham. My father, Grayson is the patient.”
“He’s been moved to his room, so you can go visit him now. Seventh floor.” She handed Jodie a blue slip of paper with a printed map and the receptionist’s handwritten notation of the suite
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