Page 84 of Caught in the Axe
I sleepwalked through the rest of my shift, only making a few more mistakes as I went. I’d been waiting tables here for the better part of a year, but it was starting to feel unbearable. For a long time, it was easy to ignore the little slights. I’d dealt with them all my life, really, so it was almost second nature. But lately, every comment needled at me.
Maybe it was because I’d been accepted to several great grad schools, yet they treated me like I was below them. Or was it because my freedom was so close? Maybe I was just embracing my inner bitch?
Whatever the reason, not drowning Mayor Lambert in his oatmeal when he spent a full minute staring at my rack was a true victory.
I was wiping down tables when I caught pieces of conversation from the knitting group set up in their usual spot. “Very serious… Dr. Savard… so young?”
“What was that?” I asked, standing up straight.
Loraine Gagnon gave me a genuine smile. “Oh dear, apparently Dr. Savard had a stroke this morning.”
My heart plummeted to my feet. Willa’s dad? With a gasp, I fumbled for my phone in my apron.
When I’d finally freed it, I was met with a whole slew of missed calls fromWilla. Shit.
I tapped on her contact and turned, waving a shaky hand at Bernice, signaling that I was going outside.
“What happened?” I asked as soon as she picked up.
“Lila,” she said, her voice trembling. “Dad. Had a stroke.”
Heart aching for her, I slumped against the brick wall in the alley and slid to the ground.
Dr. Savard had been like a father to me since the second grade.
He had been the one to encourage me to apply to college, even editing my essays for me. He’d been the one to take the training wheels off my bike and chase me down the street for hours until I mastered the ability to ride on two wheels.
I was the only kid in third grade who still needed training wheels. But I’d only gotten a bike the year before. I’d begged my mom for months, and she’d finally found one second hand. But she was too busy working to teach me to ride it.
Even though Willa had long since mastered two wheels, Dr. Savard had stayed out with me, patiently helping me every time I wobbled or fell.
My heart cracked at the memory. He was one of the absolute best.
“Where is he? I’m getting in my car.”
“He’s been airlifted to Portland. I’m waiting at the airport now. My flight leaves in thirty minutes.” A cry escaped her, followed by a sniffle. “I’m just so scared. It was bad.”
I swallowed back my own emotion, desperate to be strong for her. “What can I do? What do you need? I can be there in a few hours.”
“No, stay. Don’t drive down yet. We’ve got to figure out what’s going on. Mom says he’s stable.”
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, searching for the right thing to say to my terrified best friend. “He’s so young and healthy,” I said lamely.
Her hiccup on the other end pulled at my heart. God, what I wouldn’t give to ease her pain and worry.
“He’s going to be okay, Willa. Between you and your mom, he will get the best care and the best chance at recovery. I’ll be by your side for every minute. You’re not alone.”
I sat on the ground, my back pressed to the brick wall, with the phone pressed to my ear, as she cried. Sometimes the only thing a person could do was be present, as shitty as it felt.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t see your calls,” I said. “I put my phone on silent when I’m at the diner.”
“S’okay.” She hiccuped. “You’re here now.”
“Of course I am. You should be boarding soon, right?”
“Hopefully,” she rasped. “I’m still on standby. Can you distract me?”
“Done.” I cleared my throat and racked my brain. “Ooh. My mom and I did a Hallmark marathon yesterday. The last movie we watched was batshit crazy.” I grinned, because it truly was. “So these two families rent the same cabin for a week of vacation in the mountains. Hot single mom and hot single dad and the cabin is creepy A.F. and in the middle of nowhere.”
