Page 32 of Drew
“Oh…” He releases a breath slowly. “I’m still a bit winded, but I’ll heal in time.”
“What about your leg?” I ask and all eyes go to the leg that’s laying out of the covers on his bed. There’s a cast to just below his knee, and a sock over the end, most likely to keep his toes warm.
“Right now, my lungs hurt way worse than my leg,” he surprisingly admits. “Though…” he lets out a breathy sigh, “when I’m no longer on pain meds, that may change.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner,” Kathy says as she squeezes my dad’s hand. “I didn’t get the message until nearly midnight, when I got off the plane.”
“How was the conference in Tallahassee? I hope you went sightseeing, while you were there.” Mom shakes her head and grimaces. “I’m just glad you didn’t have to cut your trip short.”
Kathy lets out a huff at my mother’s selflessness. “I would’ve come the minute I found out either way. There’s only so much you can learn at an agricultural conference after being so many years in the business.”
Kathy’s been working for the same food transportation company, for as long as I can remember. Mom says she’s close to retiring. But I’ll believe it when I see it. Ever since her husband died about fifteen years ago, she’s thrown herself into her work and never lets up.
“Did you get to the coast like you wanted?” Mom dismisses her worries and focuses on her burning question.
Kathy sighs and walks over to Mom. “Yes, I got to spend a day there. I made the drive to St. George Island, and it lived up to the hype. The white sandy beaches were unlike any I’ve ever experienced. I’d highly recommend you and Marty take a trip there when you retire.”
“Maybe we can go once Drew’s out of school,” Mom suggests casually to Dad.
And with one comment alone, the guilt pours in.
Being on a D-1 scholarship means I can only work during the summer, and I can’t have a part-time job during the school year. My parents are at the prime of their lives and should be close to enjoying a retirement. But with Summer’s sickness and me in school, they’ve been financially strapped for as long as I can remember.
“Sounds like a great plan,” Dad agrees and by the look he gives Mom, I can tell he’s going to find a way to make that happen. There’s nothing Dad won’t do to make Mom live life to the fullest, now that Summer’s gone. We’ve all taken that mentality and work our asses off to reach the goals we want to accomplish. They’ve nearly recovered from their bankruptcy and once I’m out of school, or at least no longer playing ball, they’ll have a lot more financial freedom.
“So… Abby…” Mom says in that tone that tells me she’s on her way to her version of the Spanish Inquisition. “How’d you meet Drew?”
Huh. That’s simple enough. Knowing Mom, there’ll be loaded questions embedded into her version of a casual conversation.
“We’re lab partners,” Abby offers.
“You’re a chemistry major, too?” Dad asks as he looks Abby over critically.
“Yes. I’ve applied to med school and will find out if I’ve been accepted later this spring.”
“Interesting,” Mom murmurs so that only I can hear, then speaks louder to Abby. “Which schools have you applied to?”
“You won’t believe it, but she’s applied to a lot of the same schools I have—except Stanford and Baylor are in her top five schools.”
This time, Dad pipes in as he looks to Mom with an unreadable expression. “Interesting, indeed.”
“What does that mean?” I rush out defensively. They’re obviously having a silent conversation, and it’s only fair to share it with the room.
Mom pats my arm. “It’s nothing, Drew. Don’t get your undies in a twist.”
Could she be anymore patronizing?
Obviously, she and Dad think something as their expressions have turned smug, but they remain tightlipped.I love my parents, but really?
“Well,” Kathy gushes. “I think it’s wonderful. You’ll both be doctors someday.”
Okay, captain obvious.
“How long are you staying?” Dad asks, all sense of smugness evaporated.
I look to Abby, who simply shrugs. “Uh… as long as you need me.”
Dad clears his throat. “Well, since you’re missing class today and have a game Monday, I think it’s best you travel back tomorrow or Sunday.”
