Page 87 of Play of Love
“Is that right?”
She nodded. I would have loved to meet her family under better circumstances.
I tried hard to think of other things to talk about but found it difficult. The distraction I offered was only momentary as I felt her anxiety and fears and was worried for her.
I looked about the waiting room at the solemn faces of those around me that waited for news on their loved ones. Including us, there were about fifteen people in here. An elderly man in the corner rested his head back against the wall. His gray hair looked a straggled mess and eyes were bloodshot. I’d overheard him talking to the nurses about his wife. He said she’d just collapsed and he didn’t know why. He’d been here for hours and it wasn’t looking good. Over there by the large glass window sat a family of four with a teenage son who recognized me. I had seen the recognition flicker in his eyes but that was all, the boy was as distraught as the rest of his family because his little sister had been hit by a truck. The boy looked over at me and I gave him a curt nod. The boy nodded back and looked like he was trying to keep himself composed.
This was what it would have been like if my mother and Clarissa had been taken to a hospital after their accident, if they hadn’t been killed instantly in the crash. The waiting would have been the same and it wouldn’t have been good news.
I was about to talk about the showcase when Dr. Carson came into the room. Amy leapt out of my arms.
“Please tell me she’ll be okay,” Amy begged. We all joined her.
Dr. Carson smiled. The action lifted his graying mustache and his eyes twinkled. “It’s very early to tell, but I would say she’s going to be fine,” he declared with pride. Amy threw her arms around him, hugging him hard with gratitude.
“Thank you so much,” she said over and over again.
Her brother thanked me, too, and turned to me with a bright smile on his face.
“Thank you again,” he expressed, putting his hand out to shake mine . I took it and offered a smile. “This wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
“It’s cool, man, happy to help.”
Amy looked to me next and seemed quite choked up. I put my arm around her as she sunk into my embrace.
“We’ll have to keep a sharp eye on her for the next forty-eight hours and monitor her closely for a few days. These types of procedures can require extensive aftercare, especially because of the stress placed on the body,” Dr. Carson explained. “Unfortunately, that will mean she’ll be with us for a few weeks and will need a good ten weeks to recover. She’s a very strong person, so I’m positive we’ll see quite an effective recovery from her.”
I listened and took that chance to hold Amy. I zoned out as Dr. Carson continued and thought of what this all meant.
I wasn’t being selfish, it was just simply thoughts. This would change everything. It would change my relationship with Amy. She was only working for me to raise the funds for her mother. She didn’t need that anymore.
She would work in L.A. when she started at Dior, but that wouldn’t be until next year this time.
All that was left of us was their relationship. For me that was everything, all that I had, and mattered more to me than playing football.
But I didn’t know how she felt. I didn’t know if it was enough for her, and I shouldn’t expect anything from her.
I didn’t exactly make the best first impression, and I didn’t even begin to climb up the ladder of the type of man she should be with. She’d never have picked me if we didn’t meet the way we had.
I understood, I had to. And I’d have to understand, too, if this meant goodbye.
Amy was able to see her mother a few hours later when she recovered from the surgery. I met her briefly and, while she couldn’t talk, she smiled at me. Amy looked exactly like her. The resemblance was quite prominent. Looking at her mother, I could tell that she’d been through a lot. Not just from the surgery, but life in general. Her brother had that same look, too, and I could only imagine what they must have all gone through.
I stayed with Amy for as long as I could, staying right through till Sunday. It was clear that she didn’t factor me needing to get back to L.A. but I had to go.
Amy didn’t need me here anymore. The worst part was over and I should probably go anyway to allow them some private family time with each other.
In the evening when we went back to the hospital, I took Amy aside so I could speak to her. She still didn’t seem to realize that I had to go.
“Are you okay?” I thought I’d begin with that because she looked more relaxed and relieved.
“Yeah. I’m just so grateful that you did this for us.” Her sweet smile always got me. Always held my attention and made me feel like I could do anything.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could have helped.”
We sat down on the bench just outside the room. I took her hand and held it to my heart.
“Amy,” I began. Her smile widened as she looked up at me. “I should go back to L.A.” It was hard to tell her, and even harder to watch the bright expression recede from her face.
