Tethered (A BirthRight Novel #1)

by Brandi Leigh Hall

I wake up yawning, twisting in my blankets as if searching for escape from a cocoon. From the moment my head hit the pillow last night, my mind was full of prophecies, magical powers, and recurring visions.

  Did I even sleep?

  I rub my eyes, adjusting to the glaring sunlight.

  My mind goes back to the vision with the masked strangers, convinced more than ever I missed something vital. I go over it more times than I can count, searching for some semblance of a clue as to what it all means. But the deeper I dive in—the more I come back empty when I reach the top.

  I guess since it’s a new day, I should focus on things I’m about to face, instead of those things that escape me.

  In less than an hour, we’ll be taking Pap to the hospital for countless tests. At this point, we don’t know if anything else about his health has changed beyond coming out of a coma. We’re confident we won’t be losing him, but we still aren’t certain how much of his health problems were healed. The chemo and radiation will wreak havoc on his body, but another surgery could send us right back to where we started.

  Here I go again—getting ahead of myself. There’s no need to assume the worst. But I suppose it’s true what they say, ‘Old habits are hard to break’.

  I look at the clock and jump out of bed to throw myself together. After a quick shower, comfy clothes, and a little makeup, I’m prepared to start my day.

  When I make it to the kitchen, everyone seems lost in thought. It’s probably safe to say they’re battling the exact same war in their minds as me. I just hope theirs end with a better outcome than mine does. Yes, I know. The eternal pessimist.

  We finish off a box of Golden Grahams while waiting for Gram and Pap to join us. I’m not sure what the holdup is. Pap’s up and walking around—no need to figure out the best way to transport him. I hear them talking in the sunroom, but I can’t make out what they’re saying. Perhaps they’re still working on their cover story?

  As Aunt Morgan loads our bowls in the dishwasher, they come walking in the kitchen where Gram announces, “Okay kids . . . let’s do this!”

  Without complaint or hesitation, we pile in Pap’s sandstone Suburban and head towards the North Shore University Hospital.

  Again.

  When we arrive forty-five minutes later, Gram says, “Just so you know, I didn’t tell Dr. Gaslightwala about the change of events. I simply said, ‘the family needs to speak to him’. So when he looks surprised, you’ll understand why.”

  I make a mental note, continuing through the front entrance.

  As we get off the elevator, I realize the person we’ve come to see is already standing at the nurses’ station. Dr. Gaslightwala doesn’t look up from whatever he’s doing as we approach, but I see the shocked expressions on the nurses’ faces the instant they recognize the person now standing before them.

  We stop about five feet shy of the doctor, but no one says anything to get his attention.

  After about fifteen seconds of silence, one of the nurses bumps his arm, telling him to look up. He lifts his head, smiling when he notices the family he’s grown so close to over the past few months. But almost as quickly as the smile emerges, it dissipates, replaced by a look of astonishment as his gaze lands on Pap’s glowing face.

  “Wh . . . what on earth? I don’t understand. H . . . how can this be?” He smiles, adjusting his tiny glasses as he walks around the counter towards Pap.

  “Hi, Doc. Surprise!” Pap sends him a wink, laughing with a low, phlegm filled rumble in his chest.

  “I’m dumbfounded, Samuel. This is impossible. I don’t know if my eyes are playing tricks on me, or if you’re truly standing here?” He shakes his head, continuing to look Pap up and down.

  “Don’t worry, Dr. Gaslightwala. You’re lucid. We were just as surprised as you when it happened, but I guess it’s safe to say we all believe in miracles now.” Gram beams, wrapping her arm around her husband.

  “So tell me . . . please . . . how and when did this happen?” Dr. Gaslightwala asks.

  “Well, it happened last night. We had gathered around Samuel’s bed and formed a Prayer Circle. There were so many things we wanted to say…so many things we wanted to pray about before we unhooked the machines.” Gram beams while telling her enhanced version of last night’s events.

  “If you recall, there was a nasty storm last night. In the middle of our prayer, the lights had gone out when the lightning crashed down on our property. Since there were still candles providing us light, we continued with our words.” Gram shakes her head. “The next thing I remember, the lights came back on . . . then we realized Samuel’s eyes were open. It was unbelievable. We were saying our goodbyes, but he wasn’t ready to leave us just yet.” She rubs Pap’s arm. “He must have been in one of those deep comas I’ve read so much about. We saw online it’s more common than people realize. Perhaps when the lightning struck, it somehow jump-started his brain. Like a car battery.”

  Gram’s story sounds quite convincing. Then again, they usually do.

  Dr. Gaslightwala shakes his head in either disbelief or wonderment—god only knows which. “Well this is magnificent news. I couldn’t be happier.”

  “I would assume you’ll want to do a work-up of tests to see where we go from here. You’d mentioned before about starting chemo and radiation once he’s stronger, so we’d like to know if he’ll need to stay here or come back for treatments.” I’ve never seen someone look so happy about the possibility of chemo.

  “Oh, yes, Aurora. Absolutely. We can get started on tests immediately. But it will be up to Dr. Hashem as to whether or not he can go home. Let’s get started on the tests, and then I’ll get a hold of him while we wait for the results. How does that sound?” He smiles, placing one hand on Gram’s arm and one on Pap’s.

  “Sounds great, Doc. Thank you.”

  “Okay, Samuel. Let’s get you to Radiology. Your family can make themselves comfortable in the waiting area, and then we’ll bring you back up as soon as you’re finished. Aurora, if you’d like to get him checked in again, that would be most helpful.” He motions towards a nurse and she obediently pushes over a wheelchair.

  “Not a problem, Doctor. We’ll be all set when you two return.” Gram kisses Pap on the cheek. Dr. Gaslightwala helps him into the wheelchair and they disappear through the elevator doors.

  The next three hours drag on like days. Luckily, we each brought a book. As much as it kills me, we sit in the waiting room avoiding the one topic I want to discuss more than anything. But it’s not the sort of conversation you want someone to overhear.

  So we read in anxious silence.

  As I unsuccessfully try to read, the sound of someone clearing their throat draws my attention in the opposite direction.

  “Good morning, Miss Chloe.” The handsome, smiling Hunter Payne greets me.

  Yay! A surge of delight courses through my veins.

  I jump up from the chair, knocking over an enormous potted tree in the middle of the floor. I suppose he’d never guess I’m excited to see him. I’m such a dork. But who cares?

  I replace the plant to its standing position before wrapping my arms around his tall, broad frame. “Hey, stranger. I’m so happy you came. You do like surprising me, don’t you?” Then I smack his arm jokingly.

  “I just love seeing the smile it puts on your beautiful face.” With his index finger, he tips my chin up, allowing him better access to my lips.

  His mouth is so soft and responsive—my head spins. I know it’s only been two days, but it feels like an eternity since I’ve experienced the mind-numbing, tingling sensation his touch elicits.

  Before we have a chance to get carried away, he pulls his head back, then buries his face in my neck. His arms tighten around me, hands caressing my back.

  It would be so easy to get lost in his arms, but I know this isn’t the place. Which makes me even more excited about the ‘alone time’ he promised me this weekend.

  “Did you miss me?” I scrunc
h my face, looking at him like he’s out of his mind.

  He laughs. “Not even a little.”

  Yeah, obviously. I giggle as we walk to rejoin my family in the waiting area.

  “Hello, everyone. I hear we have some fabulous news to celebrate.”

  Everyone greets him with a cheerful tone. Even Dru. Perhaps he realizes Hunter isn’t such a bad guy after all.

  “How’s your friend doing, Hunter? Any change?” Gram’s always a compassionate soul.

  “It’s a slow process, but he’s showing signs of improvement. They’re thinking of moving him to a rehab facility this week.”

  “That’s wonderful, dear. I’m sure it helps to have such a good friend visit.” Gram smiles, her warmth caressing everyone in the room.

  Hunter ducks his head. His modesty might be his most attractive quality. “So what’s going on now? Is Mr. Crawford with the doctor?”

  “He is, but I’d imagine they’ll be back soon. They took him for tests hours ago.” Gram pulls up her watch and sighs.

  And just like that, Dru’s on his feet and walking towards the elevator.

  As I watch, the doors open, allowing Pap and Dr. Gaslightwala to step out. They’re joking around as if returning from a boy’s night out.

  Dru follows as they make their way back to our group.

  The doctor wraps his arm around Pap’s shoulders. “You’d better sit down for the news I’m about deliver.”

  I think we all get nervous just then, but our smiles never waver. Not even for a second. We do as he asks, then wait for him to speak.

  “The reason it took us so long is because we not only tested your pap . . . we re-tested. Three times to be exact. I don’t know how to say this, but we found no trace of cancer at all. No tumor. Nothing. I’ve heard about this sort of miracle happening, but most physicians never see it in their lifetime. There’s no scientific explanation. It’s a miracle. Your pap is the luckiest man I’ve ever met in my life.” He laughs, running his fingers through the top of his mussed hair.

  Gram stands, moving towards the doctor. “Are you serious? It’s all gone? He doesn’t need chemo or radiation?”

  “Aurora, your husband is perfectly healthy. In fact, he’s in better shape than he was when he first came to see me months ago.” Dr. Gaslightwala has an immovable smile plastered across his face.

  Wow. This is so incredible. Tears roll down my cheeks. Could my new gift really have done this? How is that even possible?

  Hunter puts his hand on my leg. “Are you okay? Those are tears of joy, right?”

  I want so much to share this with him, but I know I can’t. All I can say is, “Yes, they’re tears of joy. This is just so overwhelming.”

  We get up and smother Pap with hugs. As I look at my family, I realize there isn’t a dry face in the house.

  Everyone gives their thanks and says goodbye to Dr. Gaslightwala and the nurses, just after they make Pap promise he’ll be back in three months for scans. Just to be on the safe side.

  But as we’re about to leave, Pap turns toward the unfamiliar face in the group. “Hello, young man. You must be the one I keep hearing so much about.” He reaches out to shake Hunter’s hand.

  “Well, I sure hope it wasn’t all bad?” He smiles, happily taking Pap’s hand. “I’m Hunter Payne, Sir. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  Pap nods. “Sir? Awe, hell. Call me Sam. And my apologies for not being able to meet you sooner.” He winks.

  “An apology is hardly necessary. You were, ah . . . er . . . well, otherwise occupied.” Then he winks back in such a sweet way, I know there’s no way Pap won’t instantly love him.

  “Well, just so you know . . . I tried my damndest to speak up last week when you were here.” He looks back and forth between Hunter and me.

  What’s he talking about?

  I shrug, and Hunter shakes his head in confusion.

  “You kids, I tell ya. You have to remember the poetry day?” Then he widens his eyes, glancing back and forth between us again. The open mouth expression on his face saying, “Duh, do you remember now?”

  Oh, that. “See, I told you he’d have something to say about it when he woke up.” I bump my hip into Hunter. Then it hits me. “Wait a minute. So you heard everything?” My expression must be amusing, as Pap laughs his ass off.

  Fan-tastic!

  “Dear, sweet, Chloe. You should know when someone recites poetry, I’d be listening no matter what. But the fact that it was from a man—and from memory—well that was a very happy moment for me indeed. That he was reciting it to you only made it all the sweeter.” He holds his hand to his heart.

  Pap and I now share the same knowing smile and I turn to Hunter. “You see, my pap has always told me not to waste my time on a guy who doesn’t know at least one famous poet. Let’s just say, you’ve far exceeded his expectations.”

  As Pap nods in agreement, Hunter says, “Well poetry’s always been a love of mine, but not many people seem to enjoy it these days, like they used to.”

  Just as the words roll off Hunter’s tongue, Pap waves his hands in the air. “Don’t even get me started on today’s youth. My tumor will surely come back if I give it too much thought.” He shakes his head, disgust dripping from his frown.

  Gram chimes in, “Okay, on that note . . . let’s get out of here before he goes off on one of his tirades. I’ve seen enough of this place to last a lifetime, so there’s no sense being here any longer than we have to.”

  Within minutes, we’re out the door closing in on our cars.

  As we walk through the parking lot, Hunter lays his hand on Pap’s shoulder. “So, does that mean you also heard the part where Chloe just assumed a big, tough fireman couldn’t possibly know anything about literature? She thought I was dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks.” He turns to me and chuckles.

  Pap replies with a smile, “Oh, yes, I did hear that. She has an awful bad habit of assuming the worst in people. She didn’t get that from me, I’ll tell ya.” He puffs his chest out. “But you sure did put her in her place though. Good for you, my boy. She needs that every now and then.”

  “Well, it was my pleasure.” Then he and Pap laugh as Hunter grabs me and gives me a noogie like a little boy on the playground would do.

  Oh, this is just wonderful. “Now I have two of you to gang up on me? Great.”

  “I’ll help, too!” Dhelia raises her hand.

  For the first time since I got back to Long Island, there’s no tension, no worrying, and no talk about possible outcomes. Even if this feeling only lasts for the day, it’s the most amazing feeling in the world.

  And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

 

 

  Chapter 16

  DATE NIGHT