Getting by (A Knight's Tale) by Claudia Y. Burgoa Read Free Book Online Page B

eyes before she rested her head over my chest while we waited for any news. What would Mom say in moments like these? I didn’t know. Would Mom look like her mom if she hadn’t died? I mentally lectured myself for even thinking about my parents and how much I needed them at the moment. Instead I closed off all emotions, staying strong for Nana.
    Thirty two minutes later—I counted them—the doctor who performed surgery on Grampy, brought good news with him. The words I caught from his speech were “stable, and should be conscious in a couple of hours, responded well, the healing will take time”. I stopped snipping at the words he gave and paid more attention after the mention of…his healing will take time.
    “What do you mean take time?” I stopped him right there to make an effort to understand what he just said. “You said the surgery was a success.”
    “Yes.” He wiped the beads of sweat with the blue scrubs hat he held in his left hand. “We had to attach the bones with a plate, and the healing is a slow process that could take from six weeks up to a year. I recommend you hire a nurse to help him around the house, and physical therapy twice a week. There’s a list we’ll provide you with when he’s discharged in a week. Hip fractures are a delicate matter, Miss Lynden.” I wanted to correct him, but let it go because his news went from good to catastrophic in less than five sentences.
    “His metabolic functions might change, his immune system could degenerate, as in weaken, and any illness can be fatal. As I said, we need to wait and see how he reacts. The after care is fundamental for his future health. You can go to his room.”
    Numbed, I told Nana to go ahead, I needed to use the girl’s room and grab some food for both of us. I walked fast toward the bathroom, and as soon as I got inside the stall and locked it, the tears began to fall at a ridiculous pace. It didn’t matter that I wanted to hold them inside, they always made their way through. Clenching my fists, I hit my thighs, desperately angered by the unfairness. He was a good man and didn’t deserve to be in a hospital bed. If I had taken better care of them, they wouldn’t be here suffering. It was all my fault for not maintaining their home like Grampy used to when he was younger.
    I composed myself, blew my nose and headed to the sink; cold water and make up fixed my appearance. As long as no one noticed my inside wounds, everything would be fine in my world. Dad hated seeing me cry, so when he died I held in all the tears—for him. Chloe, on the other hand, sobbed so loud, everyone swore she was the only one who lost her parents. Not me, I didn’t like to draw attention to myself and have people give me pity. A final glance at the mirror told me I looked perfect. Not many knew my eyes turned green when I cried; the only give away of my break down.
    As I left the bathroom, I dialed the phone to leave a message for my sister. “This is Chloe Anderson, leave a message after the beep.”
    Knowing nothing would come out of what I said, but needing to talk to someone about it, I did. “Hi, Chloe, this is Emma.” I continued my way to the cafeteria while leaving said message. “Grampy had an accident, and we’re in the hospital.” I loved voicemails, so impersonal, I wanted to kiss them every time they replaced the person I didn’t want to contact, but had to. “I’ll tell them you’ll try to call and don’t have money for the fare. It’s been a while; I think someday I might tell them…not today. Love you, big sis.” I hung up, closed my eyes and searched for some strength before I continued with the charade I put up with.
    Food in hand I went to Grampy’s room. When I handed the food to Nana, she asked me about Chloe. “Did you call her?” I nodded. “I did too, but she never calls back.” With a shrug and a smile, I steered the conversation toward Grampy’s health.
    Yet Nana didn’t let it go and circled back to