Second Chance Cafe

by Brandy Bruce

  Ethan withheld the smile he felt. Instead he nodded contritely as Caleb ducked out of the room.

  “I know. But I am in the hospital, Isa,” he said, hoping his pitiful state would soften her clear infuriation. He couldn’t blame her. He was just as frustrated with himself at that moment.

  “So I won’t yell at you till you’re feeling better. Caleb said you were lifting a crate or something?” Isa asked, immediately checking his monitors.

  “Yeah. Stupid, I know. I didn’t even think. I was feeling fine, so I grabbed the crate. Next thing I know, I’m on the ground, my back killing me.”

  She nodded.

  “So Caleb said your family’s here?” Ethan said, clearing his throat.

  “Mom and Dad and Mandy are here. Mandy has Tony with her, of course. Caleb called me while you were on the way to the hospital. So I basically called everyone I know.”

  “Your Dad’s here?” Ethan repeated, shocked.

  Isa reached down and took Ethan’s hand in hers.

  “He insisted on coming. And he’s doing so much better, Ethan. He wanted to be here for you.”

  Ethan felt the already-unsteady wall surrounding his emotions break inside of him. He sucked in a shaky breath and tried not to cry. Isa sat on the bed next to him.

  “I’m not used to…family showing up for me,” he stammered.

  She nodded with understanding, still holding his hand.

  “Why do you have to be so stubborn?” she whispered.

  He sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve taken on too much. And now what am I going to do about the café, Isa? I have to be able to run it. I’ve invested so much. I could lose everything.” Ethan’s voice cracked.

  “Hey,” she said softly. “Listen to me. Everything will be fine. I know you’re overwhelmed right now. But you haven’t even heard what the doctor has to say yet. Don’t borrow trouble. Let’s wait and see what can be done. As for the café…God knows your situation, Ethan. He’ll provide a way.”

  Ethan cocked his head to the side, a half smile creeping onto his face. “Do you believe that, Isa?”

  She looked down at their entwined hands. “I’m starting to.”

  “Thank you for coming.” He squeezed her hand.

  “Do you know why I’m really here, Ethan?” she asked. He didn’t answer. “Because this—” she motioned to the two of them “—this is real for me.” Her voice was quiet and Ethan could see her struggle with the vulnerability of her words. “I’m never going to want whatever this is going on between us to end. I don’t think I’m ever going to get tired of fighting with you and making up with you and talking and laughing with you.”

  The pain, the stress, the fear—all of it seemed irrelevant compared to the pounding of Ethan’s heart as he listened to Isa’s words.

  “Isa, I want you to know that I—”

  The door slid open and Ethan’s doctor walked in.

  “Hi, Ethan, Isabella,” Dr. Nichols said as he walked in. He stood at the end of the bed. “So it looks like we have things to talk about, Ethan. I assume you want me to continue with Isa here?”

  Ethan nodded, tightening his grip on Isa’s hand. “Yes, please.”

  “You have insufficient bony union of the L4 vertebra and it has caused a nerve entrapment of the nerve root.” At the blank look on Ethan’s face, Dr. Nichols slowed down and tried to explain. “Ethan, when you lifted the crate, your vertebrae compressed, or ‘pinched,’ the nerve. That’s where the sharp pain came from. The MRI showed us that there’s inflammation on the nerve. Also, we now know that your vertebra hasn’t properly healed. This was missed on the X-ray, unfortunately. The good news is that we can fix this. The bad news is that this means surgery and more physical therapy.”

  “What does the surgery consist of?” Ethan asked.

  “We’ll need to have a neurosurgeon perform a lumbar foraminotomy, which will widen the space where the nerve root exits the spinal column and possibly fuse the vertebrae back together. You will continue physical therapy after surgery. You’re looking at eight or more weeks of recovery, Ethan. And this time, when I say take it easy, I need you to take me literally on that. If you cooperate and let your body rest and focus on therapy, I still expect you to make a full recovery.”

  “When will you do the surgery?”

  “As soon as we can. I’m hoping we can schedule you for first thing in the morning. After a day or two in the hospital, if there are no complications with the surgery, you can go home.”

  Ethan let the words sink in: Eight or more weeks of recovery.

  The café.

  As much as he liked Mark, Ethan wasn’t sure he felt comfortable handing over his entire livelihood to him after just a couple of weeks of working together. But what choice did he have? Eight weeks? He couldn’t close for that long. More medical bills. More café bills. The stress of his predicament inundated his entire body. Ethan inhaled and felt tense all over.

  Dr. Nichols told them he’d schedule the surgery and disappeared down the hallway. Isa squeezed Ethan’s hand.

  “Are you okay? What are you thinking?” she asked.

  Father, You helped me before. I could really use Your help right now.

  Ethan held her hand tight. “I’m worried about the café,” he acknowledged.

  She touched his face and kissed his forehead.

  “I’m more worried about you. The café isn’t going anywhere. It’s going to be okay, Ethan.”

  “Will you pray, Isa?” he asked weakly.

  Isa smiled. “Are you sure? You know me—my prayers tend to become unreasonable outbursts.”

  That brought a smile to his face. “I’ll chance it.”

  Chapter 17

  Isa stayed at the hospital all night, sleeping on the cot in Ethan’s room. She’d called in a friend to cover her shift. By six o’clock the next morning, she sat up and stretched, desperately needing coffee. Ethan’s surgery was scheduled for 8:00 a.m. She looked over at him asleep in the hospital bed and got to her feet, arching her back and yawning. They’d talked well into the night—about the café, about the surgery, about their relationship. Isa needed time to process all that had been said between them. She headed to the cafeteria in search of a hot cup of anything caffeinated. Time to process proved impossible, seeing as how everywhere she turned, she knew people. She had to explain about Ethan’s surgery over and over to her colleagues. She headed back to Ethan’s room as quickly as possible and was glad to see him awake.

  “Nervous?” she asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed. He shook his head.

  “At this point, I just want to feel stronger, Isa. Whatever it takes.”

  “Does that include following the doctor’s orders and letting your body heal?” she said, her eyebrows raised.

  He nodded. “Absolutely. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m just not sure what to do about the café.”

  Isa frowned. “Ethan, one thing at a time. Let’s get you through surgery, then tackle the problem of what to do about the café.”

  “Do I at least get a kiss before I’m wheeled off to go under the knife?”

  Isa laughed. She leaned over and kissed him. “I’ll be here when you wake up,” she promised. Ethan nodded silently. The laughter and ease in the room faded with the looming surgery. Isa brushed Ethan’s hair from his forehead, remembering the first night they met. “You’re not alone. You know that, right? I’m here. And God’s here.”

  Surprisingly, the reminder comforted her as much as she could see it surely comforted Ethan. The crinkle in his brow smoothed and he took a deep breath.

  “You’re right. God’s got this.”

  Once he was taken out for surgery, Isa walked slowly back toward the waiting room, her heart overwhelmed. She wasn’t afraid necessarily, though she knew all surgery in
cluded risk. Her thoughts shifted to Ethan’s forthcoming recovery. He’d be unable to work for weeks. She understood the pressure of restaurant life. And she understood the huge financial investment that came with such a venture. No wonder Ethan was worried about what would happen to the café.

  God, please provide help for Ethan. Please don’t let him lose all he’s invested.

  Isa turned the corner to the waiting room and stopped in her tracks. Her mom and dad sat together, talking quietly with Maggie and José. Leo looked half asleep on one of the sofas, and next to him Mandy sat with her eyes glued to her phone. Baby Tony slept in a car seat on the floor. Isa’s cousin Angelina was flipping through the channels on the waiting room TV.

  Her mom looked up. “Isabella! How’s Ethan?”

  The sight of her family already in the waiting room so early in the morning flooded Isabella’s heart. Tears came without notice and rolled down her cheeks. Within seconds her mother and Mandy and Maggie and Angelina were surrounding Isa, cooing and fussing over her as though she were a child. Leo stood with a worried look on his face.

  “Is something wrong? What’s happened to Ethan?”

  Isa shook her head and wiped the stream of tears from her face. “No, he’s okay. I mean, they took him into surgery but he should be fine. It’s just—I didn’t expect you all to be here.”

  “Isabella, we’re Romanos. Where else would we be at such a time?” Leo said. Baby Tony squirmed and made a peep and Mandy moved to check on him. Isa sat down sandwiched between her mom and dad and laid her head on her dad’s shoulder.

  “Dad,” she whispered, “I love Ethan.”

  He smiled and took her hand in his. “I know. And I love you.”

  A wave of more tears came over Isa.

  I see it now, Father. Your presence. In the fact that my dad can even be here. In the love of my family showing up for me without me even calling. In the incredible man You’ve brought into my life who needs my help.

  Isa blinked.

  She knew what she had to do.

  “I need to run down to the E.R. for a little while,” Isa stated, standing up. She looked over at Maggie. “Mags, come find me if there’s any update on Ethan.” Her friend nodded.

  “Text me if you need me,” Maggie said. Isa took off toward the elevator.

  * * *

  Ethan opened his eyes.

  “Hi there, Ethan. How do you feel?”

  Ethan recognized the woman speaking to him as one of the nurses he’d met earlier. Karen was her name, or maybe it was Melissa. He couldn’t remember.

  “Groggy,” he answered.

  She nodded. “That’s normal. The surgery is over and you’re in your recovery room now. Dr. Chong is on his way to talk with you. I’m going to go let your friends and family know that you’re awake. I’m under strict instructions from Isa.” She winked at him and left the room.

  Friends, not family.

  Ethan tried to shake off the uninvited depressing thought. He was lucky to have such good friends. He was lucky to have Isa.

  But…Father, just once it would be so nice to have family of my own.

  “Ethan.”

  He opened his eyes again. Isa leaned over him, inspecting every inch of him, her eyes darting back and forth to the monitors.

  “How are you?” she asked.

  “I’ve had better days, I guess,” he said, and she sat back with a chuckle.

  “I bet.”

  The door slid open and Dr. Chong, the neurosurgeon who had performed Ethan’s surgery, walked in, a smile on his face.

  “Ethan! Welcome back.” He stepped close to the bed. His eyes scanned the chart in his hands before he looked up at Ethan and Isabella. “We’ve got good news. The surgery went well. Everything looks good. We’re going to keep you here overnight for observation, but I think you can go home tomorrow. I’m recommending you wear your back brace for a few days just as a precaution. But I’m pleased with the results of the surgery.”

  Relief washed over Ethan. Once Dr. Chong had again stressed his instructions for recovery to Ethan, most of which involved therapy and rest, he left. Ethan looked around the room, noticing for the first time the balloons and flowers.

  “Company 51 sent the balloons,” Isa explained. “The Romanos sent the wildflowers. Oh, and a bouquet came from Redeemer Community Church, as well. The associate pastor stopped by while you were still in surgery. Mark and Carson and the girls at the café sent flowers, too.”

  “That was nice of them,” Ethan said, still trying to pull himself out of the emotional rut he’d fallen into. “I think…I need some rest, Isa,” he said, hoping she wouldn’t feel offended.

  “Of course you do,” she said soothingly. “But could you see a few visitors first? The chief is here.”

  “Okay,” Ethan agreed. “Tell him to come in.”

  Isa kissed the top of Ethan’s head and rushed back toward the waiting room. Ethan laid his head back onto the pillow and closed his eyes, wishing he didn’t feel so low.

  “Ethan!”

  His eyes fluttered open at the sound of people pouring into the room. His jaw dropped as most of Company 51 squeezed into the room, along with Isa’s family.

  “I don’t think they allow this many visitors!” he said.

  Isa glanced behind her toward the hallway. “He’s right, everybody! You won’t be able to stay long.”

  Isa’s mother came over to him. She kissed his cheek and told him how glad they were that the surgery went well. Gabriel Romano sat in a wheelchair by the bed. He gave Ethan a warm smile and patted his arm.

  Within moments a nurse came in to shoo out the rowdy crew of Company 51. Ethan didn’t mind the noise. He appreciated the roomful of people.

  “Thanks for coming,” Ethan said to the chief as the guys filed out of the room.

  “You’re family, Ethan. Family sticks together. I look forward to seeing you back at the house when you’re ready,” Chief Rawlins told him.

  “Thanks, chief,” Ethan said, clearing his throat to keep the tears at bay.

  “We’ll be back soon, Ethan,” Mandy said, bouncing Tony in her arms. “Leo’s going to send over dinner from Romano’s for you tonight.”

  Ethan smiled. “Sounds great. Thanks, you guys.”

  “Anything you need, Ethan, we’re here,” Leo said sincerely.

  Ethan just nodded, unable to speak. Next to him, Isa found Ethan’s hand and locked their fingers together. Everyone said their goodbyes and left the two of them alone.

  “So that’s what family feels like,” Ethan said, his words breaking.

  Isa rested her head on his shoulder.

  “You should get used to it, Ethan. None of us are going anywhere.”

  Chapter 18

  Isa fluttered around Ethan’s apartment, arranging the many bouquets of flowers and organizing the freezer filled with meals from Leo and Mandy.

  “Isa,” Ethan called from where he sat on the sofa. “You’re going to be late if you don’t leave now.”

  “I know,” Isa said. She stopped what she was doing and walked over to him. “I’m leaving.”

  “Tell Maggie and José I wish I could be there.”

  “They know,” Isa assured him. Bianca was being released from the hospital and Isa wanted to be there to see it. “I’ll be back later before my shift tonight. So don’t do anything. Just watch TV and text me if you need me to come back earlier.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Ethan insisted.

  Isa left in a hurry. Minutes later she pulled into the hospital parking lot and ran to the entrance just in time to see Maggie and José walking slowly toward the front door.

  “Isa! You made it!” Maggie’s smile widened. José ran ahead to pull the car around and the two girls sat at a bench t
ogether by the door. Bianca still looked tiny in the car seat Maggie was carrying.

  “I bundled her up. She’s so little,” Maggie said.

  Bundled was a bit of an understatement, in Isa’s opinion. Bianca couldn’t have caught a chill if there’d been one in a thirty-mile radius. But Isa just smiled.

  “How’s Ethan doing?” Maggie asked.

  “He’s okay. He just got home yesterday and he’s already feeling bored today. But don’t worry. I’m not going to let him do anything crazy like buy a new business.”

  Maggie chuckled. “So what’s happening with you guys? Things seem to be getting serious.”

  Isa shrugged. “We’ll see, I guess. He needs me right now.”

  Maggie touched Isa’s shoulder. “And what about you, Isa? Do you need him?”

  “I really care about him, Mags,” Isa said. “I keep hoping… How do you know if a relationship will last?”

  “Relationships last because people make them last, Isa,” Maggie said, her words soft and kind but honest. “It doesn’t just happen. It takes work. It takes sacrifice, forgiveness, loyalty and grace.”

  José pulled the car up and Maggie asked Isa to take some pictures as they loaded Bianca into the car for the first time. Happy to oblige, Isa took several photos and then hugged Maggie tightly before she and José climbed in their SUV. Isa waved as they drove away. She thought of the excitement of entering the hospital as a couple and then leaving as a family of three. She wondered if such a day would ever be in her future.

  Isa stopped by the café on her way back to Ethan’s apartment. There were more customers than she would have expected for so late in the afternoon. She immediately started helping bus tables. She passed Jenny on the way back to the kitchen.

  “Thanks, Isa. We’ve been busy today,” Jenny told her as they rubbed shoulders coming in and out of the kitchen.

  “I can tell!” Isa said.

  She waited till after closing to talk to Mark. “We’ve got to have more help if Ethan’s not coming back anytime soon. Carson is only part-time,” he said.