by Caila Olsen
Chapter 17
RILEY
“Good morning, what are you looking at?” I ask Sam, who is at the kitchen table scrolling down a travel site on her laptop.
“I was just thinking that this has been an extremely dreadful summer so far,” Sam says.
“You’ve got that right,” I say as I pour myself a cup of coffee.
“Don’t you think a little holiday would be fun?” she asks.
I pull my plush robe tighter around me and pull a chair up beside Sam so I can see the screen she is looking at. “It would be, but it’s kind of impossible for me right now,” I say. “Are you and Ethan planning something?”
“No, I was actually thinking that you and I should go somewhere,” Sam suggests to me.
“Ya right! Like I would go anywhere right now. Aden needs me,” I reply.
“Aden is a grown man Riley. He doesn’t need to be babied all the time. The doctor said he is fine and he is free to leave the hospital, am I right?’ Sam asks.
“Yes, he is free to go, but…” I start to say.
“No buts,” Sam says. “He is fine isn’t he?”
“Well technically yes,” I say.
“Then it’s settled,” Sam says.
“But Aden only has a few weeks before his surgery. I thought we were going to make the most of that time together,” I protest.
“Riley, you have the rest of your life after this surgery you can spend with Aden. A week of holidays isn’t going to kill you,” Sam retorts back.
“Where are you even planning on going?” I ask as I take a sip of coffee. It’s way too early for me to be arguing with Sam. I might as well listen to what she has to say, otherwise this conversation will go nowhere.
“San Francisco!” Sam replies automatically. “There are some good sales for the flights going out in two weeks. I was doing some research and San Francisco is the perfect getaway to de-stress. How can you say no to the Golden Gate Bridge or the cable cars and all those Victorian style homes? I know how much you love the Victorian style era. The nightlife is incredible and there are so many trendy restaurants to try.”
“That does sound pretty amazing,” I admit.
Sam continues on, “It says here that the Bay Area is home to some of the world’s finest wines. That would definitely be on my list of things to try. Don’t tell me that you wouldn’t want to do this.”
“I agree, it all sounds fun, but don’t you understand that I just went through an accident that left my boyfriend speechless and he is about to go through a major surgery on his brain!” I start to raise my voice a little without realizing that I was getting worked up over this. “And do you think it will be fun for me hobbling around all day in new surroundings on these stupid crutches!”
“Okay tiger, calm down,” Sam says. “Maybe you should add a bit of this too your coffee this morning.” She points to some Irish Whisky that was left on the counter.
“No, I don’t need that,” I say defensively.
“I understand that this is difficult for you right now. That’s why I think a little holiday will be good for you. You are to tense and stressed out about everything right now. All of the stress is wearing you down. You need to just get away from all the drama in your life right now. Just have fun and leave your worries at home Riley.”
“Let me talk to Aden about it,” I reply. I have a feeling I am not going to win this one with Sam by myself. Aden will talk some sense into her.
“Call him right now,” Sam demands as she hands me my phone.
“Can you at least give me a chance to wake up? I have only had a few sips of my coffee,” I say. “I am planning on going later to see Aden. I will talk to him then. You can come too.”
“Sorry, I get too excited over things like this and like to have them decided on in the moment,” Sam apologizes. “I will let you finish your coffee and wake up first.”
“Thank you,” I say as I take another sip from my cup. “On second thought, I think I will put a splash of that whiskey in here. I’m not driving,” I reach over to the counter and grab the bottle.
Sam rolls her eyes at me. “That’s right, loosen up a bit. When you are ready I will be in my room.” She pours herself the last of the coffee from the pot and leaves.
I take my cup and make myself comfortable on the sofa. Taking out my phone, I check my Instagram feed to see what is new this morning. I go onto Facebook and Twitter and do the same. Not much new and exciting since I last checked. Maybe I do need some excitement in my life to take my mind off things, but would it be the wisest choice with everything that is happening right now? I just sit there sipping on coffee in complete silence, contemplating life and waking up for the next little while. Today is one of those days where I could just lay in bed all day doing nothing.
My phone chimes on the table next to me, Good morning beautiful, looking forward to seeing you today, Aden. Is what scrolls across my screen.
Good morning to you too. I will be over in about 2hrs? I reply back.
That works for me , Aden responds.
Ugh, I guess I should get myself ready for the day. I slowly drag myself up from the sofa and make my way to my room to get changed. I look through my closet and decide on a dress to wear. A dress is the easiest option, I don’t need to match a top and bottom and I don’t have to worry about getting my cast through the pant leg. I choose my purple floral patterned maxi dress. It looks great, but easy and comfy to wear. Next, I put on some concealer and mascara and twirl my bed head hair up in a messy bun on the top of my head. Oh, and I can’t forget about my lip gloss.
“Ready to go?” I ask Sam as I knock on her bedroom door.
“Yep,” she says opening the door. “All bright eyes and bushy tailed now? Or are you still feisty?”
I roll my eyes at her and don’t respond to that. I follow her lead down to her car and we make our way to the hospital. I find the ride feeling extremely long today. As it is, it takes about an hour to drive there, but it feels like it takes two today. I am glad that tomorrow Aden will be back to his old place.
“I will drop you off at the front and then go look for a parking spot,” Sam says as she pulls up to the entrance.
“Thanks Sam, as always,” I say.
“Ya, whatever,” she says and then takes off to find a spot.
This is the last visit you will be making here until after the surgery, I say to myself as I take yet again, another step into the hospital.
“Hi Riley,” Nurse Daisy says as I pass her in the hallway.
“Nice to see you again,” another nurse I am familiar with says.
“I am so sorry to her what happened to you with that doctor,” another says.
I can’t believe that a small part of me thinks of this place as home.
Getting to Aden’s room is like second nature now. Up I go in the elevator to his room.
“Hey Aden,” I say, walking into his room.
“Hey!” Aden types. His clothes are all laid out on his bed as he folds and packs them away.
“Need any help?” I ask.
“I think I’ve got this.” He smiles. “Tomorrow I am out of here! Can you believe it?”
“I know!” I say.
“I am here!” Sam says, walking into the room.
“I didn’t know Sam was coming today?” Aden types.
“I wasn’t planning on it, but I came up with a brilliant idea this morning that I wanted to run passed you,” Sam says.
“What brilliant idea would that be?” Aden types.
“Well, your girlfriend Riley doesn’t think it is so brilliant,” Sam says, giving me a piercing look with her eyes. She takes her phone out from her bag and pulls a chair beside Aden and sits so he can see what is on her screen.
“San Francisco?” Aden types. “What’s in San Francisco?”
“You know that Riley over here is probably just as stressed out, if not more than you about your surgery,” Sam begins.
“That I can believe,�
� Aden types back.
“Well, I was looking around at some cheap deals on flights out of here and I found one in two weeks going to San Francisco. I did some research and I think it would be so much fun to visit,” Sam says. “I figured that since this summer has been put on hold for a bit, that a vacation is well needed. I think Riley should come with me just so she can let loose and have some fun. All this worrying is going to kill her.”
“It will not,” I say back. “Aden, you can’t honestly think that I should go. At least not until after we find out if you will be okay.”
“Sam, I have to give this one to you,” Aden types, “Riley, I am ok enough to leave this place, I’m sure I can handle a week without you. Sam is right, it’s not good for you to stress out about this.”
“You can’t be serious?” I say.
“Told you.” Sam shrugs.
“I am completely serious. Just because I can’t go anywhere right now doesn’t mean that it has to ruin your summer,” Aden types. “Go have fun.” Aden comes and grabs me by the waist and gives an Eskimo kiss on my nose. “I will be fine, I promise.”
“I don’t know, are you sure?” I say still not completely convinced.
“Just go! You are so stubborn.” Sam laughs.
“Fine, I will agree to go!” I say giving in.
“Thank you!” Sam says exasperated.
“So what’s the first thing you are going to do when you get home Aden?” I ask trying to change the subject.
“I am going to throw my bags on the floor and run up to my bed, taking a huge jump and just lay there enjoying every moment of it,” Aden types.
“Typical Aden,” Sam says.
“What? I bet Riley did the same thing,” Aden types.
“She sat down on her bed for a moment, then went all organizational crazy,” Sam says poking my arm.
“You know I find organizing therapeutic!” I say. “Don’t judge.”
“You can come over later and organize my things if you like,” Aden says.
“I think I will let you do that for yourself,” I say.