Page 14 of Reformation

The doctor chuckles. “I’m not surprised. You’ve been through a lot the last few days. Do you remember anything that happened?”

I take a bigger sip of water, giving myself a second as I try to put the fragmented pieces of my memory together.

“Running with Trevor. Sharp pain. That’s it.”

“Yes, Dr. Stewart brought you in. He called me on the way to the hospital.”

Now it hits me. This is Jesse Corbin. He’s a med school buddy of Trevor’s. And if my memory serves me correctly, he’s the best cardiothoracic surgeon in Virginia.

“Well, if you’re here, I’m guessing that nothing good happened to me.” I take a breath, saying a silent thank you that I can put together a full sentence. “Spill it. Why did it feel like I was being stabbed with a thousand knives?”

Mark takes a step back from the bed, but my mom grips my hand a bit tighter. Both motions tell me they already know what’s coming. And that it’s nothing good.

“You suffered a pulmonary embolism. If Trevor hadn’t been at the beach with you, there’s a good possibility you would have died.”

I let Jesse’s words sink in, though none of it seems possible.

This can’t be happening again. I had to have heard him wrong. It had to be something else.

“How could I? Are you sure that’s what it was? I’m healthy, Jesse. I exercise regularly. I don’t smoke. I eat as well as a doctor who works eighty hours a week can. No way could I have suffered a pulmonary embolism.”

Jesse looks down at the tablet, though I’m guessing it’s a stall tactic before he gives me the business. I know this because I’ve done the same thing probably fifty times over in my career.

“Have you been sitting more than normal?”

“A little. Trevor and I started a nonprofit clinic last year. The paperwork is overwhelming. So, I mean, compared to when I was doing my residency, yeah.”

“And is there a history of clotting in your family?”

“Yes,” my mom says abruptly. “His father.”

I’m glad my mother spoke up, because I don’t know if I could have said the words. This is how Dad died. He was a stubborn man who refused to acknowledge that he had pain in his leg for weeks. By the time he finally agreed to go see a doctor, it was too late.

“The good thing is that we caught it,” Jesse continues. “We had to do surgery, but everything went fine. We’ll have to monitor you, and you’ll be on blood thinners. You are fine, Garrett. You’re going to live. You are one of the lucky ones.”

Jesse types something into the tablet before putting it at his side. “Everything looks good. I’m going to let you process this all and I’ll check back on you in a few hours.”

He leaves, and for the first time in my life, my family is speechless. Which I’m glad for. My mind is running in a thousand directions and I don’t need comments from the peanut gallery right now.

“You guys don’t have to stay here,” I say.

My mom shakes her head, giving my hand another squeeze. “Nonsense. You need family around you at times like these. Until you are up and moving, I’ll be right here.”

“I will too,” Mark adds. “Charlie has the kids and I have time off work. We’re here for you, brother.”

I shake my head, trying to sit up a bit more in my hospital bed. Though, that doesn’t go well. “Guys. I’m fine. I’ll likely be sleeping a lot. Plus, I’m sure Annika will be by shortly to relieve you both.”

My mom and Mark exchange a look, and before either of them say anything, I already know what’s coming.

“She… well… she hasn’t been here,” my mom says, trying to break the news to me gently. “We called her, but she didn’t sound… well, she sounded like she didn’t care. I assumed I just caught her at a bad time.”

I can tell my mom wanted to say more, and I don’t need her to. I know Annika hasn’t been here. Why would she? We barely care about each other when we are healthy.

So much for those in sickness and in health vows.

“It’s fine, Mom. I’m sure she’s just busy.” Mark gives me a look like he’s calling me on my bullshit, but I ignore him. “You guys though… go. I’m fine for tonight. Come back tomorrow if you want. Tonight, I just want to process all this and get some sleep.”

The two share a look before resigning themselves to my request.

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