His "Emergency" Was Her Father

Chapter 2

"Your husband still isn't here?"

The doctor handed me a pen.

"The plan is straightforward, but someone needs to be here to help care for her."

"He'll be back tomorrow."

I signed my name.

My mother's surgery was scheduled for that evening. When I returned to her room, Daniel called.

"I'm at your place."

"You're back?"

"I'm just picking up a few things."

"When will you get to the hospital?"

"Laura, I can't stay long. I still need to help with Megan's father's discharge."

My mother heard his voice and smiled at me.

"Is Daniel back?"

I mouthed no.

Daniel went on, "I left your warm coat in the living room. It's going to get cold tonight. Remember to come home and get it."

"I don't have time to go home."

"Then have a caregiver look after Mom while you come get it."

"Mom's having surgery tonight."

"I know. That's why I got everything ready for you."

He paused, then added, "Don't go all day without eating just because I'm not there."

"Are you coming to the hospital today?"

"I'm getting your things together right now, aren't I?"

"I'm asking whether you're coming to the hospital."

I heard Megan in the background.

"Daniel, come on. We need to pick up my dad."

"Coming," he answered immediately.

When he turned his attention back to me, there was much less patience in his voice.

"Just look after your mother. Don't make a scene."

"I'm not making a scene."

"Then stop asking when I'll be there."

He hung up. A new message appeared on my phone.

I opened it and found a photo he'd taken for me. Beside the coat were a box of stomach medication and a bag of my favorite gummies.

My doctor had told me to cut back on sweets because of my stomach problems. I hadn't touched them in 6 months.

Before my mother's treatment began, Daniel sent another message.

Daniel: I've arranged to have dinner delivered to the hospital. Don't say I haven't done anything for you.

I didn't reply.

The takeout arrived at the nurses' station 30 minutes later. The bag held two light meals. One was labeled with my name, the other said For Laura's Mom.

The nurse handed me the containers.

"Your husband's so sweet."

I took them from her.

"Thanks. Sorry for the trouble."

I opened mine. It was chicken soup without scallions, exactly the way Daniel knew I liked it. I scooped up a spoonful, then put the lid back on.

My mother looked pale when she came out of the bathroom. I held the soup out to her.

"Have a little."

"Did Danny send this?"

"Yes."

She took it, looking pleased, and had a little before asking, "What else did he say?"

"He said not to worry."

My phone lit up again. Megan had posted another update.

In the video, Daniel was crouching beside her father's bed, tucking the blanket around him. Her father held his hand and smiled, calling him his son-in-law.

The caption was just one sentence.

With him here, I know everything will be okay.

My mother asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

She kept eating her soup as she tried to reassure me.

"Don't hold this against Daniel. He's working hard for the family."

I gripped my spoon and said nothing.

All I wanted was for him to stand beside me the first time my mother needed her family there.

At 9 p.m., they wheeled my mother out of surgery. The doctor told me it had gone well, but she would need to stay under observation for a few more days.

I sent Daniel a message.

Laura: Can you come tomorrow and spend the night here with me?

It was past midnight when he finally replied.

Daniel: I'll be back on the 4th, won't I? Stop wasting time on little things like this.

I got up and asked the nurse to take away the extra folding chair beside the bed.

When my mother woke, she asked, "Where's the other chair?"

"The nurse needed it."