When the surgeon comes in to tell us A.J. made it through successfully and has been transferred to the ICU, no one erupts with cheers like they did the night of the wedding. There’s still too much at stake; this is only half the battle. There is profound relief, however. Nico and Kat hug; Chris, Ethan, and Brody share a round of high fives; Kenji and Grace embrace, as do my parents. Jamie went back to New York weeks before, but I text him the news with shaking hands, silent tears streaming down my face.
Heavenly puts her hand on my shoulder. She looks almost as wrecked as I feel. Without speaking, we hug.
When it’s time for me to go see him, my mother squeezes my hand. “Remember what the surgeon said, darling. It’s too early to tell anything yet.”
It’s too early to tell if he’ll be para
