Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
“Oh, sorry. Not all of us can fire on all cylinders without caffeine.” Or sleep, but I’m not going to play the woe-is-me card. Besides, I’ll be sleeping during and after the surgery. Then there’s what I’m sure will be the inevitable naps while I recuperate.
“Figures. I’d offer you mine.” Coralynn makes a face that says it all.
“Yeah, I’d rather not cancel this surgery. I’m thinking one day without coffee is better than bleeding any longer than I have to isn’t such a bad deal. Mom and Dad are hopefully at the cafeteria. The early morning hustle to hurry up and wait has them a little grouchy.” I put my fingers together to show my sister what I mean. We both know Mom hates the early mornings, whereas Dad is chipper as can be. It makes for an interesting turn of events. They also looked worse for the wear—Dad with worry and Mom with sleep clinging to her eyes.
“I’m sure that took a lot of convincing, especially with Dad.” Coralynn comes closer, dropping her bag on the chair near my head and looking around the room.
“His stomach growled. I told him it’d make me hungry, plus I had to change. They left reluctantly. Are you going to stand around all day or give me a hug?” She’s holding back, which means one thing and one thing only: Coralynn is nervous. Next, she’ll start pacing. I swear I’m not sure who is worse, her or our father.
“I never could play poker, huh?” I lift to a sitting position, the cool air hitting my backside with this stupid hospital gown. Zane wanted to fly in for my surgery, but I told him it would be silly to take time away from work when he was here a couple of months ago.
“Not at all.” I wrap her up in my arms. My baby sister. She always acts strong, like there isn’t a care in the world, and then there are times like these, when she needs reassurance probably as much as we all do. Coralynn holds me longer than usual. I can feel her tremble in such a way that you can tell she’s holding back the tears threatening to slide down her cheeks.
“Okay, okay, I’m done being a baby.” When she pulls back, there’s no sign of the emotion she portrayed moments ago. “You look gorgeous, sister dear, simply gorgeous,” Coralynn says jokingly, because there is no way in hell I look good in this get-up.
“Is it the hair net or the compression socks?” I move the warm blanket and sheet out of the way, lifting my leg closer up in the air to give my sister a little show, pointed toes and all.
“Honey, you are the full package.” Coralynn is lying straight through her teeth; all the while, she has a smile plastered on her face. I love her for it, though, breaking through the tension when it’s much needed.
“Sure.” I roll my eyes at her antics. She takes a seat, crossing her legs and nabbing her drink to probably finish it off. While I’m an iced coffee drinker, she likes it so hot that I’m pretty sure she’s burned off her taste buds. “By the way, do not stay here after they take me back. There’s no need for all three of you to be sitting in a cold and sterile room.” I lie back, placing my head on the pillow before turning to look at my sister’s face, tempted to pull the older sister card and point at her. Except she’s not six anymore, and I’m not an asshole.
“I’ll do whatever I damn well please. The studio doesn’t open until after three today, so don’t try to boss me around. I’ll tell the doctor on you.” I’m about to respond when a light tapping interrupts my train of thought.
“Hi, Shaelynn, are you ready for today?” Doctor Gallo asks, stopping to press down on the hand sanitizer and rub it into his skin. He’s wearing a pair of dark blue scrubs, white coat, and a scrub cap to keep his hair contained.
“Hi, Doctor Gallo. As ready as I’ll ever be,” I reply.
“I’m going to go get the parents while you two chat.” Coralynn pops out of her chair, skirts around the doctor, and once she’s behind him mouths the words he’s hot while fanning her face. I can’t even roll my eyes or make a retort because I’m left with Doctor Gallo facing me.
“Thanks,” I reply. He waits for her to exit the room before going over what he’ll be doing today. The good and the bad, basically everything he said at my appointment, and a lot will depend on what he finds when I’m in surgery. Once he’s done with his spiel, the nurse comes in, and I jot my signature on the dotted line. They’re both gone in a matter of minutes. I grab my phone, pull up a game to play, and wait on my family to appear before I’m taken back for surgery.