Page 18 of Every Rose

“Rose!”

She turned to find her mother running towards her with her arms held out. Rose had never been so glad to see her mom. Even though she felt that she should be the one comforting Daphne and reassuringher, in truth, she felt like a frightened little girl inside and she needed her mother’s arms around her.

“Any news?” her mom asked softly.

“Nothing yet. He’s still in surgery, but it shouldn’t be much longer.”

Daphne had obviously been working on her pottery when she’d received Marguerite’s call. Bits of clay clung to her old, faded sweatshirt and dotted her hair like cement dandruff.

Behind her was Marguerite. Rose felt that her sister was holding herself together with an effort. Which was exactly how she felt. They hugged, and her eyes widened as she saw James stride into the waiting room. He wore his uniform which added a tone of seriousness. They stood there, in an awkward circle, the four of them.

Daphne said, “I don’t understand. Jack said he wanted to surprise you and take you for dinner.”

Rose had had time to think about this. She said, “he’s had pain for days and who knows how long he’s had other symptoms? I think he wanted to take me to dinner today because he was going to ask me what I thought was wrong with him.”

Daphne nodded, looking both worried and frustrated at the same time. “That is so like your father. Is he having open-heart surgery?”

“No. The surgeon doesn’t have to open up the chest cavity. A pacemaker basically resets the heart’s electrical system so the heart beats properly.”

“But why is his heart off its rhythm?”

She shook her head. “We don’t know yet.”

Daphne wrapped her arms around herself.

James asked, “Who wants coffee?” He glanced at his mom and Marguerite then said, “I’ll see if I can scare up some herbal tea.”

Knowing he needed something to do more than any of them needed anything to drink, she said, “The cafeteria stocks herbal tea. It will still be open.”

“I’ll help you,” Marguerite said and the two of them headed out.

“Why don’t we sit down?” she suggested to her mom.

Daphne nodded and took a seat on one of the black vinyl chairs. “I thought something was up,” she said, the words bursting from her. “When I asked him he told me everything was fine. But I’ve been married to that man for nearly forty years. I knew everything was not fine. Why didn’t I forced him to tell me what was wrong?” She gazed at Rose out of her big blue eyes.

“He’s stubborn, Mom. I’m guessing he didn’t want to worry you.”

“Well it didn’t work. I am worried.” Her words wobbled at the end, and Rose felt the tremor of emotion go right through her.

“Matt Vasilopolous is one of the best surgeons I’ve ever worked with. Dad could not be in better hands.” And she was hanging on to the hope that being in the best hands would be enough.

They didn’t talk much after that. James and Marguerite returned with four cups of herbal tea. Rose noted that the tea came in china mugs and suspected that even in emotional turmoil Marguerite had insisted on the environmentally friendly option rather than opting for cardboard takeout cups.

She was halfway through her tea when Matt pushed through the doors and into the waiting room. She jumped to her feet along with her mother and siblings. Daphne rushed forward to meet the advancing surgeon. “I’m Jack’s wife,” she said. “How is he?”

Matt glanced around, caught her eye and nodded imperceptibly, and he said, “Mrs. Chance, your husband has a brand new pacemaker. He’s out of surgery and resting.”

“Oh thank God,” her mom exclaimed and then put her hands over her face and burst into tears.

“We’re going to keep him in for a few days and do some more tests. We need to figure out why this happened.” Marguerite was closest and she grabbed her mother and hugged her.

“Thanks.”

Matt headed towards Rose and she could see the lines of tiredness on his face. She reached out her hands for his.

“Thank you. Thank you for doing this.”

He flashed a tired, somewhat crooked smile. “Anytime. Your dad’s sleeping. But you can go and see him for a few minutes.”

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