Page 23 of The Choices I've Made
The emotion in her voice was audible, and it broke my heart to see this woman I’d once considered kin in such pain.
“I’m here,” I said as she rushed into my arms.
My eyes squeezed shut as the tiny woman wrapped herself around me. She’d once been my mother’s dearest and closest friend. Since her death, Dottie had been a constant reminder of everything I’d lost.
“It’s okay. He’s okay.”
Her hands searched me, touching every scratch and mark the accident had left upon my skin. “Are you well?” she asked.
“I’m fine,” I assured her. “I have news on Dean.”
Her eyes found mine as Taylor joined his mother’s side. Although he was several years our junior, I always had a soft spot for this specific Sutherland. Dottie always said it was the only child in me because his own brother couldn’t stand the kid. I’d laugh and roll my eyes, but secretly, I agreed with her.
Taylor had been as much my little brother as Dean’s.
And here he was, standing with his mother, looking me straight in the eye, begging for answers.
“He’s been moved to a room,” I announced, having just checked on him during my rounds.
A sigh of relief was felt between us.
“He’s awake, and they’re doing their best to control his pain.”
“Can we go see him?” Dottie asked.
I nodded. “Yes, but don’t expect him to be very alert.”
“We understand,” Taylor answered for the both of them.
“I’ll take you now if you’re ready.”
Dottie took my hand in hers, and it was as if the years simply began to melt away. I remembered the sound of her voice when she’d called out from the kitchen, announcing dinner. I could see the hurt in her eyes when I’d told her I was leaving.
It was the same pain I saw tonight.
“Thank you, Jake.” She squeezed my fingers between hers.
“Of course.”
I escorted them down the hall and up the elevator to one of the general patient floors. She never let go of my hand the entire way.
When we arrived at Dean’s room, I stopped short, allowing them privacy. As he opened the door, Taylor sent me a heartfelt glance of gratitude.
My work here was done. Backing away, I heard the sobs as Dottie took it all in.
This part was never easy. The relief that he was alive, but the realization that things would never be the same.
It was a war of emotions, and I’d seen it over and over with my patients over the years.
Turning to leave, I found myself eye-to-eye with Molly once again. In her hand was a cup of coffee from the café down in the lobby.
“He’s awake,” I simply said.
She nodded. “I was with him,” she explained. “The nurse in recovery took pity on me and let me stay until they brought him up here.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to it,” I said, stepping aside. My hands shook in my pockets as I turned to leave.
In all my life, this girl—this woman—was always my one weakness, even after a decade apart.
