Page 66 of Great Pretender
I left it on the kitchen table where I knew he would see it.
“I’m hoping to move next week.I’m waiting for the realters to get back to me.”
“Piper, that’s not going to solve the problem.I’m pretty sure that boy will still find you wherever you live and do the same thing.Then you’ll have to find a new house for the flowers.” He attempts a smile.Since I’m in no mood for humor, I can’t even muster my usual lighthearted smile.
“I’ll find a way to stop him.”
“Piper. Don’t you think you should just talk to him?I’m not suggesting you get back together or forgive him.That’s something for you to think about.”
“I don’t want to talk to him.”
“Okay. I’m here for you, and I’ll support you in whatever decision you choose.I am sorry, though, for what happened.”
“Thanks.”
I give him a quick hug before I leave.I have to be at the hospital in half an hour.
My drive to work is anything other than my usual.Normally I’d put the radio on and get my mind ready for the day.I can’t do that today.
I spent the last two days crying.I was supposed to be with Chad yesterday at the hotel.We were going to stay for the whole weekend.
I know Elodie is going to be the first person to want to talk to me when I get in.Of course, she messaged when she didn’t see me on Friday night, and I’m guessing there would have been some kind of announcement of sorts.
Despite the fact that I didn’t want to talk to anyone, I told her what happened too.
When I walk into the office, she’s already waiting there for me, and there are flowers here too.
The next day is the same, and so is the day after.
The amount of missed calls from Chad hit the one-hundredth mark, and people around me are starting to getannoyed.
On Wednesday, I didn’t bother to go into the office.I just went to my first patient’s room.
Her name is Victoria, she’s only thirty years old, but the seriousness of her condition has made her look more than twice her age.She's one of our youngest LAM patients and hasbeen with us for close to six months.She has a husband and a two-year-old.They come to see her every day, and it’s always sad to watch them because I know what’s going to happen to her.
A few weeks ago, she started to deteriorate, so I know she could go any day now.
I came to her first today because, after the way she looked last night, I wasn’t sure if I was going to see her again.
She stopped walking around two weeks ago and is now completely bedridden with a ventilator covering her nose and tubes to her arms.
I walk up to her with her charts from last night.Everything looks as serious as I thought.
Victoria looks at me with hopeless eyes but in the light brown depths is a spark of gratitude.
She can’t talk, but I understand the silent appreciation she’s showing, so I nod, and when I reach for her hand, she squeezes mine.
“Her husband called a few minutes ago,” Elodie says from behind me.I turn to see her standing by the door.“He’ll be here soon.”
That’s code for I should leave and allow them privacy.
“Okay.” I nod and look back at Victoria.“I’ll leave you to see what that husband of yours will bring you today.”
I smile at her and walk over to Elodie.
We leave the room together and head down the corridor in respectful silence because of the severity of the patients’ conditions that are staying here.
That silence continues until we get to the nurse's station.It’s then that Elodie looks at me with one quirked brow, and I already know we’re going to have another Chad conversation.
