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“He needs to get his strength back,” Dr. Stannis said.
Sage felt a dampness on her cheek and swiped at it with the back of her hand. She hadn’t even realized she was crying.
“And we’ll have to carefully monitor his T cells. Infection is still a very serious concern.” Dr. Stannis dropped into her high-backed chair. “But at this point, all signs are positive.”
TJ eased Sage back into her chair and then took his own.
“How long until he can come home?” she asked. She couldn’t wait to have Eli back in his own bed.
“Normally, we’d wait a week,” Dr. Stannis said. “But in Eli’s case, I’m recommending two.”
Sage’s euphoria disappeared. “Something is wrong?”
“The chemo was very hard on him. And we’ve already fought one infection. He’s young, and his body has been through a lot.”
“Are you sure that’s all?”
“I would tell you if there was anything else.”
“What about another hospital?” TJ asked.
Sage wanted to shout no.
Dr. Stannis switched her attention to TJ. “What do you mean?”
“Highside Hospital, on the coast.”
“They’re top-notch. There’s no doubt about that,” Dr. Stannis said.
“I’m affiliated with them,” TJ said. “They’re world renowned. I want to do everything possible to support his recovery.”
Dr. Stannis looked at Sage. “Medically speaking, yes, he could be moved there.”
“He’d have a private room,” TJ said to Sage. “It would be quieter for him while he recovered. Their equipment is state-of-the-art. If Eli came down with an infection or any other complication, he’d be in the best possible facility.”
Sage’s hands began to shake. “He wouldn’t have his mother.”
“You’d come with him. They have a residential facility for parents. You can stay there the whole time free of charge.”
“I have a job,” Sage protested. There was no way she could take another two weeks off. “After he’s out, once he’s better, the two of you can—”
“This isn’t about me seeing him.” TJ’s tone was firm. “This is about Eli getting the best care. The nurse-to-patient ratio in Highside is the lowest in the country. They have a pediatric ICU, an extensive on-site laboratory system, and they’re an oncology teaching facility.”
Dr. Stannis rose to her feet. “I’ll leave the two of you to talk.”
“One more question,” TJ said to Dr. Stannis.
“Of course.”
“If Eli was your son, would you choose St. Bea’s or Highside?”
Dr. Stannis’s hesitation and her guilty look in Sage’s direction answered the question.
“I have to be honest,” Dr. Stannis said. “Highside is unrivaled for patient care and outcomes.”
“Thank you,” TJ said.
Dr. Stannis left the office.
“I have to work while he’s recovering,” Sage said to TJ. “I can’t do that from Whiskey Bay.” Surely a mother’s love counted for something.
“Take some time off. Don’t worry about money, I can—”
“It’s not just the money.” She was embarrassed that her voice cracked. “I’ve missed so much time lately. They’re trying to be patient with me, but they’re going to have to replace me if I don’t get back there soon.”
“Where do you work?”
She found herself raising her chin. “The Eastway Community Center. I’m their event planner.”
She wasn’t embarrassed by her job. She did meaningful work that helped people in need. But she knew it was nothing compared to what TJ had accomplished since high school.
“Maybe I can talk to them.”
“Oh, no, you don’t.” The idea was offensive. She was an adult. She didn’t need some tall, male financial mogul in an expensive suit to advocate on her behalf. “Eli’s home is here. His mother is here. My life is here.”
“And my life is—” TJ suddenly stopped talking. He rocked back in his chair, looking annoyed with himself. “Fine. I’ll let it drop.”
“Thank you.” She was grateful he’d seen the light.
“Right now, we should check on Eli.”
She was all for that. “Yes.” She nodded rapidly. “Yes.”
TJ came to his feet. “We can talk about it some more later.”
“Wait. What?” She didn’t want to revisit an argument she’d just won.
“I haven’t changed my mind. But I’m not unreasonable.”
“Not changing your mind is being unreasonable.” She stood.
“Not if I change yours.”
“You won’t change mine.” Of that, she was positive. If that was what he was waiting for, she was home free. She headed for the door.
It was a ten-minute walk from Dr. Stannis’s office to the pediatrics wing. It was almost dinner, and Sage was hoping to coax Eli to eat something, maybe a little Jell-O. He liked red the best.
She couldn’t wait for the day when his appetite returned, then his strength and his energy. She couldn’t wait for the day when he was an ordinary little boy all over again.
Three (#ulink_8dbad65b-863c-585f-997c-815a6d487617)
Once again, TJ was struck by how small and pale Eli looked in the stark white hospital bed. But at least this time he was sitting up. He had a comic book in his lap, and he was slowly turning the pages.
He heard them come in, and he looked up.
“Hi, Mom,” he said in a quiet voice.
“Hello, sweetheart.” Sage approached his bed and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
There were three other beds in the room. Two were occupied. One with a young girl whose leg was in traction due to a car accident, another by a boy who TJ had learned had his appendix taken out and was in the process of being discharged.
The hospital was spick-and-span. But it was also showing its age, with noisy heaters, worn linoleum and lights that flickered and buzzed overhead. The privacy curtains were a faded yellow, and the table trays squeaked when they were wheeled to a new position.
“Hi, Eli,” TJ said.
Eli looked past Sage to meet TJ’s eyes. He was clearly puzzled by TJ’s continued presence at his bedside. TJ didn’t blame the kid. It likely didn’t make much sense to Eli for a stranger to show up and keep hanging around while he recovered.
Sage had introduced TJ as an old friend from high school. TJ was dying to tell Eli the truth. But he respected Sage’s request to wait until Eli was stronger.
“Hi,” Eli answered shortly, looking annoyed.
“How are you feeling?” Sage asked, straightening.
Eli shrugged.
“Are you hungry?” Sage asked.
“Not really.” Eli looked back down at the comic book.
“You need to build up your strength.” She smoothed his slightly ragged hair.
“I’ll try,” he said.
“Are you frustrated by the slow progress?” TJ asked.
Sage didn’t take the single seat beside the bed, and he wasn’t about to sit down and let her stand, so the black vinyl chair was just in the way. TJ maneuvered around it.
Eli shifted to watch his progress. “Are you dating my mom?”
“What?” Sage gasped. “What makes you ask that?”
“No,” TJ answered. “I’m not dating your mom. We’re old friends.”
Sage sat down in the chair and put her hand on Eli’s shoulder. “There’s something you should know, honey.”
TJ stopped breathing.
Eli looked at Sage. “What?”
“TJ donated the bone marrow for your transplant.”
TJ let out his breath. He was disappointed, of course. But it had seemed like an abrupt way to tell Eli TJ was his father. It was better that they wait. This was enough.
Eli’s eyes opened a little wider. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.” Sage took his hand and gave it a kiss. “TJ was your donor.”
Eli looked embarrassed. His gaze focused tentatively on TJ’s.
“I was more than happy to help,” TJ assured him.
Eli’s slim shoulders squared, and he seemed to sit up a little straighter. “Thank you, sir.”
TJ’s heart swelled with pride. “I’m just glad you’re getting better.”
Eli’s expression faltered. “Am I?”
“Of course you are,” Sage said, concern clear in her tone.
“I don’t feel better.”
“You’re sitting up.”
Eli glanced around the bed, as if the significance of sitting up hadn’t occurred to him.
“You couldn’t sit up yesterday,” Sage said.
“I couldn’t, could I?”
“You are getting better,” she told him firmly.
“It’s only a matter of time,” TJ said.
Eli gave a ghost of a smile. “I thought they were lying.”
“Who?” Sage asked.
“Dr. Stannis. The nurses. They keep saying these things take time, and I should relax and let my body heal.”
“They’re right.”
“That’s what they said to Joey.” Eli’s eyes went glassy with unshed tears. “They told him that right up to when he died.”
TJ felt like he’d been sucker punched.
A stricken expression on her face, Sage rose and drew Eli into her arms. “Oh, sweetheart.”
“It would be okay,” Eli said. “I mean, I’d deal with it if it happened.”
