Page 14 of Dear Southern Belle
7
BRADEN
It’s only been twenty-four hours since my grandfather had a mild stroke. But the effects have still taken a toll on him.
Thankfully Martha was there and heard him fall. She was able to get to him quickly and call for an ambulance. My parents should be here any minute. They didn’t hesitate when I called to tell them what happened. It’s weird how so many years of silence between them and my grandfather went on, but one call pushed away all the crap that suddenly seems petty.
Magnolia keeps checking on me and bringing me food, but I’m not hungry.
“You have to eat,” she says holding out a sandwich wrapped in cellophane. “It’s peanut butter and pickle.”
I stare at her like she is crazy.
“I’m only kidding.” She tries to smile. “It’s peanut butter with honey and banana.”
I take the sandwich from her, but don’t open it. She sits down in the seat next to me and rests her head on my shoulder.
“It’s going to be okay.”
“I know,” I say, but I’m not sure.
The doctors are unclear of the extent of the damage the stroke caused. They wheeled him out of his room a few minutes ago to take him for some tests.
“Where is he?” I hear my mother’s voice ask as she turns the corner into the alcove waiting room, followed by my father.
Magnolia and I both stand up. She stands back and lets me greet my parents. I wish they were meeting her under better circumstances but sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way you imagined.
“He’s getting some tests done. We should know soon how bad it was,” I tell her as I step back from her hug. My father pulls me into a hug too.
“Who’s the young lady?” he whispers to me.
I step back and hold out my hand to Magnolia. “This is my girlfriend, Magnolia.”
I fear for a split second that she will flinch at the title of girlfriend, but she doesn’t seem phased by it. She holds out her hand and greets both my parents.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
My parents fell in love quickly at a young age, if there are any two people who can understand what I’m feeling for Magnolia right now it would be them. So it’s not surprising that they don’t seem put off by the news that so quickly after arriving in Oak View that I’ve found someone. They don’t know it yet, but I haven’t just found someone, but I’ve found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.
We all sit down and make conversation while we wait for any news. I know Magnolia is a hit with my parents, but at this moment, they can’t show what they are feeling.
It takes another hour before the doctor comes out and talks to us. Magnolia takes my hand in hers, holding it tight between both of hers as we listen to doctor explain what they found out. I don’t understand half of the medical jargon he says, but I understand enough to know that he’s going to be okay considering. He will still have rehab and somewhat limited use of his left arm, but this was the best-case scenario we could have hoped for considering.
MAGNOLIA
In all the chaos of what happened with Braden’s grandfather, I forgot to call back Momma. I see her at the end of the hallway, waving for me to come over to her.
I excuse myself and walk over to meet her. She looks mad, but in spite of everything, the last thing I’m concerned with is Momma’s anger about me seeing Braden against her wishes.
“What is Delilah Foster doing here?” she asks, by way of greeting.
I glance over my shoulder and see Mrs. Holt is watching us.
“She’s here because her father had a stroke.”
Momma opens her mouth like she’s ready to go off on me when she realizes what I’ve just told her.
“Is he okay?”
