The Fireman's Perfect Match by Patty H Scott

Author:Patty H Scott [Scott, Patty H]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Patty H Scott
Published: 2020-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

chapter fourteen

Caleb

“MR. ANDERS, WE’RE GOING to take you into surgery. It is going to be an easy procedure. They need to straighten your femur and put some screws in there to help align the bone for healing. I’m going to be putting something in your IV to help manage the pain as soon as we have you in the operating room. You will probably fall back asleep, and you might not remember this surgery at all. A nurse will be with you when you wake.”

The walls pass by as I am wheeled through a hallway. Bright lights alternate with pockmarked ceiling tiles overhead. I want to go back to sleep. My eyes feel heavy and I’m slightly cold. I want a blanket. Why do I only have a sheet on me? Surgery. That’s what he said. Where are Mindy and Jack?

I wake up to a woman’s voice saying, “Mr. Anders, there you are. You came through surgery just fine. Everything went well. Can you tell me your name?”

My name. “Caleb Anders.”

“Very good, Mr. Anders. How are you feeling? Could you tell me your pain level if ten is unbearable and one is barely feeling any pain at all?”

“I feel a little sore in my leg. My head is throbbing in the back. Probably three.”

She says, “Three is good, Mr. Anders. I’m just going to take your vitals and then you can rest. An orderly will be in shortly to take you back to your room so you can sleep there. You can press this button if you need me at all, okay? I understand your wife is in your room waiting for you.”

My wife? The nurse takes my temperature and my blood pressure. She puts something on my finger and writes down the number. I feel drowsy and thirsty—so thirsty.

When I wake again, I’m in a room.

I hear someone ask, “Caleb, how are you feeling?”

It’s Mindy. She’s here.

I say, “I’m good. How are you? How did you get here? Where’s Jack?”

Mindy says, “I stayed here. Jack and Kat went home. Jared went with them. I slept in the reclining chair they provide for guests. Do you need anything?”

“My mouth feels so dry.”

She offers, “Let me get you a washcloth and some ice chips.”

Mindy comes back with a cup and puts some ice in my mouth. I never felt so much love for ice in my life as the pieces melt down and soothe the cottony and parched places on my tongue and throat. She dabs my lips with the cloth. Her face has a look of concern and care. I want to eradicate her pain—to see her laughing and carefree. I put that disquieted look there and I can’t stand being the source of her hurt.

I turn my head toward Mindy and say, “I’m sorry.”

Mindy pushes a hair off my forehead and looks into my eyes.

She says, “Stop apologizing. What happened to you was an accident. You didn’t do anything wrong. It couldn’t be helped. I’m just relieved you are okay.

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