Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 91434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
I don’t even notice my face is wet with tears as I pull up to the hospital parking lot. I grab my phone and my keys before rushing into the emergency room, where I find Mrs. Gregory sitting with a coffee in her hand. “Oh, thank goodness you got here. She just woke up.”
I put my hand to my chest. I’ve never heard sweeter words before in my life. I mean, only three other ones have been sweeter. “Can I see her?” I ask, and she gets up, nodding.
She walks with me to the nurses’ desk. “This is Ms. Maddie’s daughter,” she informs them, and the woman smiles at me.
“Can I see her?” I ask, my hands shaking. “Please, just for a minute.”
“You can.” She gets up and motions with her head to follow her. I follow her to the back, past two swinging doors. The only lights on are the lights at the nurses’ station in the middle of the corridor. Most of the doors to the rooms are open, and you can see in each of them with the big windows giving you access.
She stops beside a door, and I look in and see my mother lying in the middle of the bed with her head elevated. My feet move before my head can even wrap around that she looks like she’s sleeping. I pick up her hand gently, feeling her warmth seep through me, and bring it to my lips. “I love you, Momma,” I sob out.
I hear her head move on the pillow, and her eyes open. “Everleigh?” she says, confused I’m here. “What on earth are you doing here?”
I can’t help but smile through the tears. “Mom, you had a heart attack,” I inform her.
“I’m fine,” she huffs. “I need to get out of this bed and get to work.” She looks like she’s about to get up when I shake my head.
“She’s a stubborn one,” the doctor says, walking into the room. He’s wearing scrubs and a surgical hat on his head. “She’s lucky we found her in time.” He stands in front of the bed with his hands on his hips.
“What does he know?” My mother looks at me. “I’m telling you I’m okay. I feel fine.” She fights to keep her eyes open.
“How long does she have to stay here?” I know my mother has probably asked this question already.
“I can tell you she won’t be able to open the shop in three hours.” He glares at her, and my mother refuses to even look in his direction.
“Everleigh, can you get my purse?” My mother ignores him. “Harmony is going to be there with the cakes, and I have to start getting the donuts ready.”
“I’ll go,” I offer, knowing if I don’t go, she won’t rest. “I’ll go and get everything sorted today, and you can rest and go in tomorrow,” I bargain, looking at the doctor when he looks like he’s about to say something.
“Fine,” she relents. I know by her giving in without even fighting with me, she really doesn’t feel well, but she won’t let me know. “But you need to leave now.”
I look over at the doctor, who I motion with my head to the side, hoping he understands what I’m trying to say, and he looks at my mother. “I’m going to be back in a bit to check on you.”
“Wasting your time, Oliver. I said I’m fine.” I look at both of them as my mother closes her eyes. “Now, I’m going to rest, and you’re bothering me.” She looks back at me. “You, get going.”
“Will do,” I agree. Walking out, I stop by her door and let out a huge sigh of relief. “I guess she’s fine.”
“She is not fine,” the doctor corrects me. “I’m Dr. Cardinal, but you can call me Oliver. I’ve been telling her for years that she’s burning the candle at both ends.” He looks at me and then through the window. “If you weren’t on the phone with her, we would have lost her.” His voice trails off. “She needs to be off her feet for at least six weeks.”
“You think you’ll stop her from doing things for six weeks?” I ask, trying not to laugh.
“I’m hoping you can help me with that,” he says, and I want to ask him so many questions, but his phone buzzes. “We are going to run tests today, and depending on the results, she could be here for a week. I have to go, but I’ll see you later.”
“Oh, I’ll see you all right,” I assure him, watching him walk away. Instead of leaving, I walk back into the room and go to my mother and bend to kiss her cheek. “I love you, Momma,” I say softly, but for once, she doesn’t answer me.