Page 80 of The Summer Arrangement
When a second nurse comes in, Milli stirs. “Where’s My Iz?” she says, sleepy.
Reaching for her hand, I squeeze it reassuringly. “I’m right here, sweet girl.”
She darts her wide eyes around the room, then they meet mine. “I want my daddy!”
“I know, Mills. He loves you and will be here as soon as he can.”
“What are they doin’?” she asks, watching the nurses in full action mode.
What the fuck do I even say?
How do I tell her she’s going into surgery?
Does she even know what surgery is?
She’s three for fuck’s sake. Why would she know?
“We found out it’s your appendix that’s making you sick. The doctor is going to make you better by taking it out.”
With wide eyes, she looks around at the chaos in the room. “Will you stay with me?”
“I’ll be with you as long as I can.” I won’t lie to her, but I’m not telling her the entire truth either. I can’t do that to her. Needing her to understand what’s happening, I quickly explain, “They’re going to make you really sleepy, then when you wake up, your appendix will be gone, and I’ll be waiting for you.”
She nods but doesn’t say anything.
The next forty minutes is a complete blur. When my sister comes back from the bathroom, I fill her in on everything. With everything happening so fast, she assures me she’ll wait with me when Milli goes into surgery.
When it’s time, I help Milli get transferred to a gurney and hold her hand the entire way to the operating room. Once inside, I couldn’t tell you any of the details of the operating room, other than it was bright, cold, and so sterile.
It took everything in me to just be there for Milli. To stay strong and not show her just how scared I am for her.
Just as she’s about to be transferred to the table, the doctor says it’s time to say goodbye.
Hugging her, I promise, “Love you, sweet girl, I’ll see you when you wake up.”
“Love you, Iz.”
The doctor tells her to count as high as she can.
I’ll never in my life forget her sweet little voice echoing through the room.
“One… two… three… four…fff…”
My heart breaks into a million pieces when it’s time to walk away.
My heart has been frozen in my chest from the moment I read those words on my screen.
Lizzy: I’ve just gotten off the phone with my mom. She thinks it’s time I take Emilia to the hospital. Hopefully, they’ll give us some anti-nausea meds and make sure she’s not dehydrated. I’ll update you when I know more.
Lizzy: We’re at the hospital, and they’re running tests now. Won’t know for an hour or so.
It was nearly three fucking hours before I saw either of those texts.
I’d closed the deal with Sienna Flames and decided to celebrate by attending their sold-out concert. It was great to relax after all the stress of the deal that has consumed the last three days of my life was settled. Lizzy and I had been in contact all day and although I’ve felt torn from the moment I learned Milli was sick, there wasn’t anything I could do about it. If she has a virus, it needs to run its course.
I met up with a buddy of mine from when I lived in LA. We grabbed a drink before the concert and caught up. Nick is still living the single life and enjoying the music scene to his fullest. I’ve never felt so old or out of touch. Don’t get me wrong, I like the guy and wish him the best, but the moment Emilia came into my life, all thoughts of living that single life he’s still thriving in sailed.
It wasn’t until I got back to my hotel room and went to charge my phone that I noticed it had been ondo not disturb.
