“And run every test known to man on her. When the blood work results come back from the lab, text this number with them.”
I grabbed a pen and paper from the top drawer of the small chest, just like the one in my hospital room. Slowly, I printed each number of my cell and then handed it to Kasey.
“And this number?” She held up the piece of paper.
“It belongs to me.”
“Alright, Ms. Rome. For a full year’s pay, you have yourself a deal. Re-enrolling in medical school has been on my to-do list. Where do I send the graduation invitation when I become an MD?”
“Nowhere. Just look for me. I’ll be there.”
“Say no more. I’ll be back shortly to try and get these labs taken care of.”
Kasey exited the room. It was likely I wouldn’t be here when she returned. I didn’t have much time on my hands. Still, I wasn’t quite ready to depart.
I leaned over and kissed Tiana’s cheek. Silently, I watched her resting. When the feelings overwhelmed me, I placed my head beside her and balled up on top of her covers, hoping my warmth encouraged her fight.
FOURTEEN
My fingertips slid up and down her arm, coaxing her to a safer, quieter place. Words failed us both. For two hours we’d laid in silence, unwilling to destroy the peace it presented.
Xylazine.
Often used in illegal drugs. It was known as a tranquilizer. A drug used for animals that could shut down the entire system of a human. It was dangerous and it could cost one their life. It had cost my child’s life and almost claimed Rome’s.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”
“Sain–”
“There isn’t much I’ve failed at in life but I can’t help but feel as though I’ve failed you. I failed our child. I faile–”
“This was all in the plan,” she revealed. I witnessed the weight of the world fall onto her shoulders. It devastated me knowing there was nothing I could do about it.
“It was there the entire time. I saw it happening. I felt it happening. I’ve shoved it to the back of my head at least a hundred times.
“As much as I’ve seen you in my dreams, I’ve seen our angel. A son. Wings translucent. Small. And fluttering at the mere sound of your name. Or mine. I’ve seen it over and over and over in my head. A nightmare. I’ve loved and hated the image in my head since it first appeared.
“I just didn’t know– I didn’t know it would be now. I didn’t know our child would be ripped right from us before either of us even knew of his existence. And, I’d imagine the fact we didn’t would make this easier. It doesn’t.”
I agreed. “It doesn’t. I’ve never wanted something so much. Something I didn’t know I wanted yet. Not until I realized it was gone.”
She nodded.
“I’m gutted,” I admitted.
“You have work to do tonight, baby.”
“I don’t want to move. I want to lay here. I want to stay here.”
I buried my face between her neck and shoulder.
“It is game four in the series and you’re up three games, Saint. There’s no such thing as lying here. You have work to do. For me– for you– for us.”
I had won the game the night before her performance and the night before that. Both times, she was front row, watching me kill shit on the court. Last night, we had won again.
Tonight, we could take home the championship. I just needed my head in the game. That was easier said than done. I’d lost a child. It didn’t matter that they were just beginning life inside their mother’s womb. A child loss was a child loss.
“I have some work to do, myself. We have to. Lying here would be the easy route. We can’t take that route. I never have. I never will. I won’t allow you to, either. You hear?”
