Page 16 of Truly, Madly, Deeply
Like he had to work to not keep kissing her. His breath had been warm on her face, and when he said goodbye he leaned close. Ever so slowly his lips touched hers once more. Only that.
“You deserve the world, Annalee.” He handed her the cookie box and searched her eyes. “The least I could give you was a Super Surprise Saturday.” He was a few steps down the walkway, then he looked back and grinned. “Oh… and next time we might skip Topgolf!”
The memory lifted.There. She had done it. The scan was nearly finished, and because of her father’s advice Annalee had avoided thinking about it all this time. Thinking about the possible reasons the internist had ordered it. She blinked her eyes open and then closed them again.
This is nothing. It has to be nothing.
There was high school to finish and college to conquer and people to help. She had Tommy Baxter to spend her whole life loving. This health situation was just a reminder for her to take better care of herself. In a week or so she’d get the results. Mononucleosis. And she’d rest up—as long as she needed.
Then she would get on with her life.
The machine made a loud thumping, like someone was trying to jackhammer their way into the cylinder. She held her breath. How much longer did she have inhere? And why was she having trouble breathing? When could she get back to Tommy in the waiting room?
She had no answers, no way of knowing how much longer she had to stay in the suffocating tube. But she knew what to do about it. And just like that she could feel herself climbing into Tommy’s Jeep and he was sliding behind the wheel, smiling at her.
“You ready for your Super Surprise Saturday?”
6
Tommy’s stomach hurt. He stood and walked up to the receptionist. “Annalee Miller?”
This time it was a guy behind the counter. He didn’t look old enough to work at a hospital. “I’m sorry?”
“Annalee Miller.” Tommy forced himself to stay calm. “She’s been in there thirty minutes. Do you know how much longer?”
The guy checked something on his desk and then on the computer screen. “Uh… looks like she has another half hour or so.” He hesitated. “There’s a cafeteria and a coffee shop on the fourth floor.”
Coffee. That would help.Tommy nodded. “Thanks.” He had to get out of here before he shouted at someone. What possible reason could there be for a scan to take this long? He walked out the office door and headed down the hall.
Already he could breathe better.
A cup of black coffee and ten minutes later, Tommy was back in the waiting room. This time he wasn’t alone. An older man sat on one side of the room, eyes downcast,wringing his hands. A carved wooden cane leaned on the chair beside him.
Tommy studied the guy. Was he here for himself or waiting for someone he loved?
The man glanced up and nodded as Tommy took a seat against the adjacent wall. The look in the man’s eyes said this wasn’t about his own health. He was waiting for someone. Maybe the future hinged on whatever news the man might hear today.
Same as Tommy.
From the floor beside him, the man lifted a thermos, unscrewed the lid and took a sip. “Still hot.” He set it down again.
Tommy nodded. He didn’t feel like talking. What was taking so long?A magazine,that’s what he needed. He sorted through the ones spread out on a long coffee table separating the rows of chairs. The one on top said:CLIMATE CONFUSION? GLOBAL WARMING OR AN ICE AGE?
Tommy thumbed to the article. Something about a Greenland iceberg gaining size over the last few years, and temperature readings cooling in the depths of the ocean. He closed the cover. The last thing he wanted was to read about the climate while Annalee was a few doors away sliding in and out of some metal tube.Poor girl.She hated elevators. The scan must’ve made her feel terrible.
Scripture.That would help. He pulled his phone from his jeans pocket and opened his Bible Promises app. Aquick scroll and he found what he wanted. Love. Bible verses on love.
I have loved you with an everlasting love…
For God so loved the world…
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God…
Every line, every word spoke to him. God loved him… and He loved Annalee. Tommy’s breathing slowed and he settled into the cushioned seat. This was mono, nothing more. Everything was going to be fine. The doctor was just being thorough, making sure he didn’t miss anything. God wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.
She was too good. She had too much to do for Him.
Tommy stretched out his feet and laced his fingers behind his head. The man across from him looked up. “You waiting for someone?”
