Page 27 of The Dangers of Daydreaming

“Oh, are you with the tour group?” She sounded off. Was something wrong?

“No, just a friend. What’s up?”

“Your grandpa decided on the surgery, and they don’t want to wait any longer, so they’re taking him back in an hour. I was going to see if you were able to come by, but if you’re busy, that is just fine. I will call you after and give you an update.”

Lucy was shaking her head in my periphery. I glanced at her. “Go see your grandpa,” she whispered.

“Gram, can I call you back in just a second?”

“Of course.”

“Love you, talk to you soon.” I ended the call, steering the van off to the side of the road.

Lucy didn’t wait for me to put the car in park. “I don’t need to see the station. It was really nice of you, but you can just take me back and… Or… Where is the hospital? Will you get there in time if you have to take me back?”

I clenched and unclenched my jaw. That was the issue. I wanted to stay with Lucy, but I also needed to see my Pops before he went into surgery—it felt extra important, and I didn’t like the feeling of doom building in me. What if something went wrong? What if—I put a firm stopper in those thoughts. I wasn’t worried about what-ifs; I was worried about the right now. I wanted to see Pops and be there for Gram. But the hospital was already in this direction, and if I took Lucy the half hour to the B&B, and then came back, I’d miss Pops.

She must’ve seen all my concerns play across my face, because she stuck out a hand as if to stop the stream of consciousness, and said, “I’ll wait in the car. Let’s go to the hospital, and I’ll wait in the car.”

“I don’t know how long I would need to be there,” I said, apology lacing my tone.

“Then I’ll stay in the waiting room,” she offered, her words coming out slowly, as if she was coming up with the plan at the exact moment she said it. She probably was.

“I promise to get you back as soon as I can, or I’ll call you a Kari—ah, what Americans call an Uber—to drive you home.” I was already putting the car back into drive.

She waved her hand dismissively. “I’m not worried about it, let’s just get you to your grandparents.”

A surge of gratitude rose in my chest like a wave while we drove the remaining twenty minutes to the hospital. I had dictated a quick text to Gram that I was on my way, and she’d said she would meet me at the front, so I didn’t have to wait for them to buzz me back.

True to her word, Gram met us just inside the automatic doors. She rushed forward as I stepped in, Lucy beside me.

“Thank you so much for coming, I’m so sorry to interrupt your day,” Gram said. I noticed Lucy shuffling away at my side. Gram saw her as well. “Is this your friend?”

I gestured at Lucy. “Yeah, this is Lucy, we knew each other in junior high, and she’s staying at your B&B.”

Gram looked at Lucy, extending a hand, which Lucy shook.

“It is so nice to meet you,” Gram said, squeezing her hand between both of hers.

“It’s wonderful to meet you as well. I’ll be sending well wishes for your husband,” Lucy said. She popped her thumb out, gesturing behind her. “I’m just going to do some work in the waiting room.”

Gram looked between me and Lucy, her eyes wide. “Oh no, did I interrupt a date?”

“No,” Lucy said quickly. “No, not at all.”

“But you’re stuck here?” Gram’s distress was evident.

Lucy looked at me for help, and I stepped in. “I’m going to call her a Kari to get back if we’re here long.” I really should just call her one now. Even if the surgery was on the short end, it would be hours before we could finish our expedition.

“I have my phone, and I need to do some work anyway, so I’m totally fine! Don’t worry about me,” Lucy assured.

“Well, will you come with us? At least the surgical waiting room has refreshments and a TV. And better chairs.”

Lucy was shaking her head. “I’m okay, I would hate to impose.”

I could see we weren’t going to get anywhere; Lucy would feel bad saying yes, and Gram would feel bad if she said no. So, I grabbed Lucy’s wrist and gently tugged her next to me. “Come on, you can work with us.”

She didn’t end up doing any work. I would have felt bad if I weren’t so grateful. After staying outside the room while we saw Pops off in all his surgical outfit glory, she spent the next hour and a half bringing us drinks and crackers, talking with Gram, and just being a generally incredible distraction. I watched with awe as she tentatively started up the conversations, seeming to feel around for if we’d prefer silence or words.

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