SINKING SHIPS

Abigail

"Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won't have a title until much later." —Bob Goff 

Abigail reluctantly kissed everybody goodbye and told them she would see them in a week for the bone marrow test results.

Abigail boarded the plane to go home.  She waited for the light to go out allowing her to use her laptop. She had not had the opportunity to research her mother's illness while on the cruise. She read everything she could find to ensure she knew what was going on. 

 She unboarded the plane and grabbed her luggage. She flagged down a cab and headed home.  She could not wait to get home. She climbed the stairs leading up to her flat. She jokingly thought to herself that her next home would have an elevator. Once she reached the landing, she set her luggage down and proceeded to unlock the door. She grabbed her luggage and entered her flat dropping everythng right inside the door. 

She took in a deep breathe and exhaled. She was relieved to finally be able to sit down after a long day of travel. She looked around her flat realizing as nice as it was, she had not made it a home.  She used it to shower and sleep. It was quite sad and lonely without family. As she entered her bedroom, she hoped she would be able to sleep.  She changed into her night clothes and crawled into bed. She leaned back and closed her eyes.  Before she knew it, she heard her alarm blaring. Time for the gym.

Abigail shut the alarm off and stretched to wake herself up.  She rolled out of bed and headed to her home gym to get the day started.  She tried to be disciplined and get a morning workout in every day.  Even though she would love to sleep in, the workout energized her and made her feel better. She headed to the shower to start getting ready for work.  As she glanced in the mirror, she thought how unflattering her scrubs were. She hated that she had to always wear her hair up. She wore the same thing and looked the same way every day. At least she had a new tan to show off.  She did not wear makeup to work. She put on a little moisturizer and head out.

It was going to be a long day.  She was working a sixteen-hour shift in the emergency room today.  She would have to squeeze some time out of her schedule to complete the paperwork needed to request time off in order to care for her mother.  She had been slammed all morning. Halfway through her shift, she finally got time to complete her paperwork.  She had just enough time to grab a bite to eat in the breakroom.  She looked down at her salad thinking how boring she had become.  Her life was nothing but one big routine. She pulled up her hometown paper online.  She liked to see what was going on.  There was never anything of interest, but she still made a point to read it. Interesting, there was an ad for a registered nurse’s position open at the local hospital there.  Abigail wondered if the hospital was a nice one.  Her break was over.  She had to get back to work.

As Abigail moved through the rest of her workday, she kept thinking back to the open nursing position in her hometown.  She wondered what it would be like to be back home again.

It had been a long day. Abigail was sitting at a restaurant eating her dinner.  She was a horrible cook.  She had given up a long time ago. She typically dined out on her way home. Tonight, it was a nice dish of spaghetti and meatballs. Italian was her favorite.  She loved pasta.

Her thoughts drifted back to the open nursing position.  Maybe she would check out the hospital when she was home with her mother. She could not shake the feeling that this was fate.  It would put her closer to her mother if she were to take a job at the local hospital. She would then be able to spend more time with her. Maybe she would not feel so lonely all the time if she moved back. 

Abigail went home and packed a few suitcases. She was headed back to her hometown tomorrow for the test results and to care for her mother. 

The next morning, Abigail jumped in the cab and headed to the airport.  The airport was busy with people running to their gate.  As she walked through the security check point, she wondered what time Bella and Calista would be getting there.  They had to be at the hospital by three o’clock. She was going to pick up her mother on her way to the hospital.  As she looked out the window, she thought about the hospital again.  She would make time to tour the hospital while she was there.

Abigail pulled up to her mother’s.  Looking at the house she noted nothing had changed.  It still looked the same. It was a ranch style home with red brick, black shutters and shingles with hedges across the front. It was a simple home but had always been a happy home. She walked to the door.  Her mother was waiting on her.  She looked extremely pale. She smiled at Abigail, you ready to get this over with.  Abigail smiled back, yep let’s go.

It had been a week since the girls had taken their tests.  Today was the day they would find out if any of them were a match.

Abigail was extremely nervous as she walked into the hospital with her mother.   She prayed that at least one of them would be a match for her mother.  You could smell the sanitizer used to keep everything clean.  The hospital appeared to have undergone a recent renovation.  It was very inviting.  As they turned the corner to the doctor’s office it felt a little sterile in all white but still, it was nice. Calista was already there to greet them.  She hugged her and pulled a seat up for her mother. Her mother had started looking extremely pale.  She got dizzy and lost her balance a little bit. Abigail asked her mother if she needed anything.  They saw their mother’s stare go to the entrance.  Bella was finally here.

Luckily, they did not have to wait long.  A nurse called them back to see the doctor. Abigail took her mother’s hand leading her down the hall.  Bella and Calista followed behind them. When the doctor came in, he smiled at her mother and asked her how she was doing. She heard her mother telling him she had been better.  Well, Mrs. Grace we have some good news today. All three of your girls are a match.  Looking at the test results, it appears that Bella will be the best match.  Abigail felt a wave of relief go over her.  She was glad to hear that they had all been a match.  Then she heard the doctor say they were going to move on this fast and get them admitted today. 

Abigail and Calista stayed with their mother and Bella as long as they could.  Once visiting hours were over, they had to leave.  They headed to their mother’s home.  Abigail cleaned most of the night since she could not sleep.  She wanted to ensure everything was clean and sterile for when their mother and Bella returned home. 

Abigail and Calista had not been allowed back in the procedure room.  They waited in the waiting room as patiently as they could. When were they going to hear something?  They watched the monitor for an update.  It showed they were still having their procedure performed.

Finally, the doctor came out and told them the procedure had went well and Bella should be able to go home later.  He told them they could go back and see her.  Abigail and Calista went to Bella’s room to see her.  You could tell Bella was tired and sore.  She struggled to pull herself up in the bed.  Abigail went around to assist her. She said her hip hurt like crazy. Abigail reminded Bella that was one of the side effects and It would stop hurting after a few days.

The doctor entered the room and let them know that their mother’s procedure had went well and that as soon as she was out of recovery, he would have the nurse let them visit.  He reminded them that their mother would have to stay for a week so the doctors and nurses could monitor her for infection.  The Doctor turned to Bella flashing those beautiful blue eyes and that smile, it was a pleasure meeting you Bella.  Call me if you need anything.

Abigail giggled a little bit as the doctor left.  Bella looked at her bewildered and said, what?  Calista laughed and said you know what.  Abigail still giggling, started singing Bella and the doctor sitting in a tree.  Bella threw her a glare and told her to hush.

Once Bella was released from the hospital, Abigail helped her into the car so they could drive Calista to the airport.  She had to return to her boys. After seeing Calista off, they headed back to the house. Abigail helped Bella into the house and got her situated  on the couch. She had her nurses cap on right now. She would make sure Bella was cared for properly during her recovery.  Abigail loved being a nurse even though it could be trying at times. She was good at it. 

It was nice to have some one on one time with Bella.  They discussed Teagan and Kane and the relationships they had with them.  Bella had shared the real reason she broke up with Teagan. Abigail had been totally shocked.  They had all went to school together. Abigail had never once thought Teagan would treat Bella the way he did. She hugged Bella tightly and told her she was so glad that she had been strong enough to get out of a relationship like that. Abigail opened up to Bella about her relationship with Kane.  He was selfish and refused to commit to marriage and a family.  She stayed with Kane for companionship. Bella asked her if she was sure she was alright with that.  Abigail looked at Bella and said she had not given it much thought until her mom had asked her the same question when they were on vacation.  She had always wanted a family but had not taken any steps to make it happen.

Abigail went to pick her mom from the hospital.  It had already been a week.  Abigail had gotten to know her way around the hospital as well as the staff when coming to visit her mother each day.  She was sure she would be happy working here. 

Abigail noted how well her mother was starting to look. They were surprised to see that Bella was not home when they got there.  Abigail helped her mother into the house and got her settled. Bella finally arrived.  She seemed nervous when Abigail had asked her where she had been.

 Abigail had been sad when Bella left.  She would miss her.  She had enjoyed their time together.  She would be staying on to care for her mother and directly oversee her recovery.