When Alicia arrived at the hospital, she parked what seemed like half a mile from the ER entrance, and she was glad she had on a sweat suit and athletic shoes. When she walked inside, Phillip stood, walked over, and hugged her. Gladys, Freda, Curtis, and Charlotte all sat in the same row of chairs.
“I’m so glad you came,” Gladys said as Alicia leaned down, embracing her.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else. Is the surgery still going on?”
“Yes, and the doctor said it could take a while.”
“Well, I know Mr. Johnson is going to be fine. He’ll come through this very quickly, and he’ll be back to normal before you know it.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Alicia hugged her dad, her stepmom, and Freda. “Where’s Mel? Hasn’t she been released yet?”
“No,” Phillip said. “The doctor ordered an EKG, which came back fine, but he wanted her to stay hooked up to her IV awhile longer.”
“Wow. Well, I’m going back to see her.”
“I’ll be out here,” he said.
The receptionist behind the window buzzed Alicia back to the ER examination area, and one of the nurses directed her to Melanie’s room. When she opened the door, Melanie smiled and Brad got up and hugged her. Alicia was proud to be back in Brad’s good graces, because years ago, when everyone had learned about Alicia’s affair with Levi, Brad hadn’t wanted anything to do with Alicia. He’d told Melanie that she could remain friends with her all she wanted to, but he was through with her. And he hadn’t spoken to her for more than two years. Thankfully, he’d gotten over it, and the two of them were friends again.
Alicia set her purse down and hugged Melanie. “How are you?”
“I’m good.”
“Are you sure?”
“No, she’s not,” Brad said matter-of-factly. “She’s also angry with me for telling the doctor the truth.”
Alicia raised her eyebrows. “About what?”
“That crazy diet she’s on. I wish she’d get off of it before it kills her.”
“Why are you blowing this so out of proportion?” Melanie shouted.
Brad turned toward the door. “I’m going back out to the waiting room. Alicia, maybe you can talk some sense into your friend while I’m gone.”
Brad closed the door behind him.
“Mel, what is he talking about?”
“Nothing.”
“I remember you saying on Saturday that you wanted to lose weight, but what are you eating?”
“Do we have to do this?”
“Yes. You passed out and your blood work didn’t come back normal, so yes, I wanna know what’s up.”
“I’m drinking two shakes a day and eating a salad,” she said.
“And what else?”
“That’s it.”
“Why are you doing this to yourself again?”
“What do you mean again?”
“Starving yourself.”
“I don’t wanna talk about this anymore.”
Alicia frowned. “You don’t have a choice.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
“Apparently you don’t, because if you did, you wouldn’t be lying here in a hospital bed.”
“All I want is to get dressed and go wait for my dad,” she said.
“Oh, so now you’re going to ignore what I’m saying?”
“Look, I appreciate your concern, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but this is my body. It’s my life. It’s my business.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m so sick of people telling me what I should and shouldn’t be doing. Especially people who don’t know a thing about being overweight. People who have perfect lives with no issues.”
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
Melanie repositioned her IV tube and folded her arms. “Nothing. I think we should stop before we say something we’ll regret.”
“All this anger because I asked you about some diet you’re on? You’re not overweight, Melanie. You haven’t been in years, and if you can’t see that, something’s wrong with you.”
“Are you saying I’m crazy?”
“I’m saying you need help.”
“You know what, Alicia, get out.”
Alicia took a step back, half laughing. “Yeah, right, Mel.”
“I mean it. Get out of here, and don’t come back.”
Alicia had been sure Melanie was joking, but the outraged look on her face told a different story. Alicia wanted to ask her what was going on with her, but she could tell it would only make things worse. Something was very wrong with Melanie’s mental state, and the sad part of it all was that she looked like she’d lost a whole size since Saturday. Her neck was too skinny and her face was much narrower. But for now, all Alicia could do was pray for her, and that’s exactly what she did.
Chapter 22
They all filed into the large hospital conference room, waiting for Dr. Daniels: Melanie, Brad, Gladys, Freda, Alicia, Phillip, Pastor Black, and his wife, Charlotte. One of the surgical nurses had come to the waiting area to let them know the surgery was over and that Dr. Daniels would be out to speak to them as soon as he could. Melanie hoped her dad was doing better than expected and that his recovery would be successful and quick.
Everyone sat in silence, and it was good to have them there, praying and showing unwavering love and support. Especially Pastor Black and Charlotte, because they were like second parents to Melanie. It was sort of funny how Charlotte was Alicia’s stepmom, yet she was only eleven years older than Melanie and Alicia. Even more interesting was the fact that Melanie was also very close to Alicia’s mother, Tanya, whom Melanie called Mom as well. Tanya was one of the best women Melanie knew, and she would have given anything for her own mother to be as kind.
Melanie scanned the room. She accidentally locked eyes with Alicia, the one person she wished had stayed home. How dare Alicia judge her and talk to her the way she had when she’d first arrived at the hospital. She’d had no right, and Melanie wasn’t happy about it.
After another ten minutes, Dr. Daniels walked into the room and took a seat at the head of the table. “Good evening, everyone.”
They all greeted him, waiting for the report.
“Well, it was a tough job, but we got it done. We’re having to breathe for Mr. Johnson right now, and the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours are crucial. It’s never simple when we have to unblock four arteries, but what I can tell you is that I’ve done it many times before, and I’ve done it very successfully. I did the best I could, and now it’s in the hands of the good Lord.”
“Amen,” Pastor Black and Phillip acknowledged. Everyone else nodded in agreement.
Melanie didn’t always hear doctors speak this way, but it gave her a good feeling when she met doctors who hadn’t allowed their vast knowledge of science to diminish their strong belief in God.
“Does anyone have any questions?” Dr. Daniels said. “Mrs. Johnson?”
“No, I don’t think so,” she said.
“Anyone?” he asked again.
“Can we see him for just a few minutes?” Melanie asked.
“Someone will come and get you and your mom as soon as the nurses get your dad situated, but after that, I really want him to get some rest.”
“Thank you, and we understand,” Melanie said.
Dr. Daniels scooted his chair away and got up. “I guess that’s it for now, but I’ll be in first thing in the morning to see him. Which actually won’t be long, because it’s already midnight and I have a six thirty a.m. surgery to perform.”
“Oh my,” Gladys said. “We already appreciated everything you’ve done for my husband, but hearing that makes us appreciate you that much more. Thank you for everything.”
“Of course. As I said to you and Melanie earlier, I’m glad I was still here when the ambulance brought him in. You all take care.”
“You, too, and thank you again, doctor,” Melanie said.
; “You’re quite welcome.”
Gladys clasped her hands together and rested them on the table. “I guess all we can do now is wait.” Then she looked at Melanie. “Do you think your dad will make it? You know a lot more about this kind of thing than any of us.”
Melanie wasn’t sure why her mother was putting her on the spot like this when Dr. Daniels had already explained how important the next two days would be. “I’ve seen lots of bypass patients who have gotten well and lived very healthy lives.”
Gladys shook her head in disgust. “I just wish he’d stopped eating all those ridiculous pork skins the way I asked him. I begged him, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“I’m sure it was much more than that,” Melanie tried to tell her. “With Dad having four blocked arteries, it would have taken a good while for that much plaque to build up. This didn’t happen just because of what he’s been eating over the last few weeks.”
“He’s been eating all sorts of things he shouldn’t for a long time. Now he might die because he wouldn’t put a stop to it.”
Why couldn’t her mother forget about all that and simply pray for her husband to get better? Nothing was ever good enough for her, especially if she couldn’t control a person. But for once, Melanie just wished she would keep her thoughts to herself. No one wanted to hear any of her ranting. The blank stares she saw on everyone else’s faces proved it.
“What we have to do is pray and keep our faith strong,” Melanie said.
“Absolutely,” Pastor Black added, “and if you don’t mind, Sister Johnson, I’d like to have a word of prayer before we leave.”
“Of course, Pastor.”
Everyone stood up, moved closer together, and held hands.
Curtis closed his eyes. “Dear heavenly Father, we come right now in the precious name of Jesus. Dear Lord, Brother Johnson is fighting for his life, and while we don’t have all the answers, what we do know is that You never, ever make mistakes and that You are always true to Your Word. So we ask that You would please heal and strengthen Brother Johnson. Make him whole again. Allow him to recover in a most miraculous way. Then, Lord, we ask that You would give strength and peace to his wife, Sister Johnson, and his daughter, Melanie, during this very trying time in their lives. We also ask that You would please heal Melanie from any illness attempting to attack her body. And then, Lord, please bless Brad as well, along with everyone else here who loves and cares about Brother Johnson’s well-being. I know You are with each of us every step of the way, and we thank You for that, dear God. We thank you for all that You’ve done, for all that You’re doing, and for all that You will surely do in the future. Lord, we ask for these and all other blessings in Your Son Jesus’s name, Amen.”
“Amen,” each of them said.
Pastor Black and Charlotte hugged everyone, said their good-byes, and left the conference room.
Brad walked over to the doorway. “Baby, as soon as you see your dad you need to go home and get some rest. Your car can stay here, and I’ll just drop you back off on my way to the office in the morning.”
Gladys glared at Melanie and frowned. “Home? I know you’re not going to just leave me here all alone. What if something happens while you’re gone?”
“Mom, I don’t want to, but I’m still feeling pretty weak. Once I get a few hours of rest, I promise I’ll be right back.”
“Weak?” she said, scowling. “What did they say was wrong with you, anyway?”
This was the first time her mother had asked her anything about the reason she’d passed out, which was beyond hurtful. Normally, her mother made sure to put on a good front for Alicia, Phillip, and Alicia’s parents, but not tonight. For whatever reason, she didn’t even try to pretend that she loved or had any respect for Melanie. She spoke to her and treated her any way she wanted, and she didn’t care who witnessed it.
“My electrolytes were a little off.”
“And what does that mean exactly?”
“My potassium was low, and I was dehydrated.”
“Oh well,” she said, acting as though none of what Melanie had told her was important. “Maybe if you ate right every single day instead of depriving yourself all at once, this wouldn’t happen.”
Melanie didn’t bother looking at Alicia or Phillip because she was far too embarrassed. “I’ll be back in a few hours, Mom.”
“You do whatever you want,” Gladys said, grabbing her handbag.
Freda got up and followed behind her. “Don’t you worry about a thing, Gladys. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here for as long as you need me.”
Melanie wanted to tell Freda to mind her own business the same as she’d told Alicia earlier, but she kept her mouth shut.
Gladys and Freda walked out of the room and so did Brad and Phillip, but Alicia stopped Melanie at the doorway.
“Mel, wait. Let me talk to you for a minute.”
“What is it?”
“I just wanted to say how sorry I am. Here you weren’t feeling well, and I come into your room questioning you and telling you what to do. I only said the things I said because I love you, but I truly apologize.”
Melanie barely looked at Alicia for more than a second. “Don’t even worry about it. Just forget the whole thing. I know I have.”
Alicia reached her arms out. “Truce?”
Melanie hugged her loosely enough to let her know her heart wasn’t in it. “I just told you I’ve already forgotten about it.”
“I’m glad,” Alicia said. “I’m staying in town tonight so I can get some sleep, but I’ll call you before I head back to my condo. I still have to read through the last few chapters of my manuscript.”
“Thanks for coming,” Melanie said as politely as she could. She loved Alicia, but she honestly didn’t like her right now. There was something else Melanie thought about, too. When Melanie had spoken to Alicia earlier on the phone, Alicia had told her she’d read the last page of her edits and was finally finished. She’d talked about how this was the reason her phone had been on silent. So why was Alicia lying? Although, knowing Alicia, if she was suddenly taking a long time to return phone calls and not telling the truth about it, she was up to something. It was the only time she did this kind of thing, and Melanie could only imagine what was coming.
Chapter 23
It was seven a.m., and while Alicia and Phillip had gotten to the house right around one this morning, she hadn’t slept more than twenty minutes here and there. Her mind had raced from one thing to the next, and guilt-ridden tears had streamed onto her pillow. She just didn’t know how she could lie next to Phillip in their own house, in their own bed, knowing she’d spent most of yesterday with Levi, holding him, kissing him, and making love to him like he was her husband. If only Levi didn’t make her feel so good, she could walk away and forget about him. But he did make her feel good, and if things were different, she would marry him the way he wanted. In a perfect world, they would build their dream home, have two beautiful children—a boy and a girl—and grow old together. If she hadn’t already committed to another man, she’d be free to do what she knew would make her happy.
But no matter how she tried to weigh things, one simple fact remained—the one fact she’d replayed hundreds of times in her head: She couldn’t and wouldn’t hurt Phillip. She had to marry him whether she wanted to or not. It wasn’t that she didn’t love Phillip, it was just that she wasn’t in love with him the way a woman needed to be in love with a man she was planning to spend the rest of her life with. She’d thought loving him as a person was enough, and it actually had been before Levi had emailed her last Saturday, letting her know he was out of prison. What a mess this all was, but she knew what she had to do. Ending things with Levi wouldn’t be easy—she could finally admit that now—but it was her only option. Plus, it wasn’t like Phillip wasn’t a wonderful man, because he was, and he loved her with all his heart. She knew that much for sure, so maybe in time, she would love him on the same level that she loved Levi.
>
Phillip yawned, stretched his arms and body, and opened his eyes. When he looked over at Alicia, he smiled. “How long have you been awake?”
“A while.”
“I’m glad you decided to spend the night…or I guess I should say morning, since we got in so late. The drive back to your condo would have been exhausting.”
“I know. I’m glad I stayed, too.”
“I wonder how Mr. Johnson is doing,” he said.
“Yeah, me too. I’m also worried about Mel. She’s not herself, and this weight thing is getting out of control again.”
“Until Brad and I talked last night, I had no idea. You’d never told me about that before.”
“Probably because it hadn’t crossed my mind in years. When we were in college, she would sometimes starve herself for days and then when she couldn’t take it anymore, she would binge on every kind of food she could get her hands on. She did this the whole four years we were away, but once we graduated, she seemed to mellow out and she didn’t struggle with that any longer.”
“Maybe she got better for a while, but now Brad says she’s working out longer, and he doubts she’s eating a thousand calories a day.”
“But she’s not overweight at all. She’s as thin as any woman would want to be, but for some reason she can’t see it.”
“Brad wants her to get help, but I guess she got mad when he suggested it.”
“Just like she got mad at me last night. I didn’t tell you this on the way home, but she told me to get out of her room. It was almost like I didn’t know her. She acted like we were enemies.”
“I’m sure the pain she was feeling about her dad had something to do with it, too. She’s under a lot of stress right now.”
“Maybe, but there’s no way Mel can keep going without food. That’s just plain crazy.”
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