Living with Pain

Chapter 38: Something's Wrong

Sky

"Stop worrying, Mom. I will be fine. You're only leaving for a long weekend." I roll my eyes as Mom looks at me with crinkled eyebrows.

"Come on, we don't want to be late." Dad checks his watch again and grabs his suitcase handle.

"You guys deserve a get away for your anniversary," I reassure.

"I'm just worried that something will go wrong. What if you end up in the hospital again?"

I sigh, "I'll be okay. Besides, Mayson can help out if I need anything." Not that I would because I was going to prove I could be independent and function on my own.

An alarm goes off on my phone, reminding me it's time to get to school. "I got to go. Love you both." I give them a quick hug. "Have fun and don't worry about me," I shout over my shoulder.

I enjoy the crisp air reminiscent of the coming spring as I walk to school. I love the short walk to school, it gives me time to think and clear my head from the morning fog. My phone buzzes with a text from Cash.

Cash: Good morning, beautiful. See you in class :)

I smile as I reply. He's been tirelessly trying to win me back. I told him I want to take things slow and he's respected it. I'm just not ready to open myself back up to the pain of rejection if he's not serious about wanting to be with me, problems and all.

--

I flop onto the couch as soon as I get home, tired from the long week. Thank goodness it's friday. I pull out my phone and lazily scroll through facebook. It doesn't take long before I notice something is wrong.

"Romeo?" I call, craning my neck to see where he is. I don't see or hear him. I groan as I slide off the couch. He must be outside.

I step into the kitchen and my heart stops. Romeo is standing in the corner, attempting to vomit without anything coming up. I instantly notice his stomach appears much larger than normal.

"Hey buddy. What's wrong?" I crouch next to him. He's breathing hard and his bums are pale. I touch his swollen stomach, causing him to whimper.

Panic builds in my chest. I fumble for my phone and click on the first contact that comes to mind. I try to hold back my tears as I listen to the phone ring.

"Hello?"

"Cash?" My voice breaks, as does the dam holding back my panicky tears.

"Sky? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"It's Romeo. Something's wrong with him. He's not getting up."

"I'm coming."

I wipe up Romeo's mess as well as I can as I wait for Cash. Then I sit down next to him.

Romeo lifts his head slightly. I bury my face into his coat. "Hold on, buddy. I'm not ready to say goodbye. Not yet."

I rush to the door when I hear the doorbell. Cash takes in my soggy appearance with a grim face. "I called the animal hospital. They're expecting him," my voice trembles. I can't lose him.

Cash doesn't hesitate to lift Romeo up and set him on a blanket in the backseat of his truck. My leg bounces up and down as we drive to the hospital. I grip Cash's hand tightly, praying Romeo will be okay.

The drive seems to take forever. The second we pull in, I'm unbuckling and holding the door open so Cash can carry Romeo. The receptionist greets me and takes Romeo to the back, asking us to sit and wait.

I sit close to Cash, not letting his hand go.

"What happened?" Cash asks.

I shrug. "I came home and he was just laying there. I don't know what's wrong."

"I'm sure they will figure it out. They are good doctors here."

I nod, unable to talk more. I don't know what I would do if I lost Romeo right now. He's been my rock, especially the past few years. He is my best friend.

Cash squeezes my hand, silently letting me know he is there to be my support. I look at his sweet, caring face and wonder why I had doubts about getting back with him. But now is not the time. I text Mom and Dad, letting them know what's happening. So much for proving my independence.

"Sky?" a veterinary technician comes out of the exam room area.

"Yes?" I stand up. I recognize her from coming to visit my Mom at work. Mary, I think, is her name.

"Come on back."

Cash and I follow her to an empty exam room. The veterinarian comes in shortly.

"Hi, Sky. How are you?"

"Not great, considering the circumstances," I give a strained smile.

The vet nods in understanding. "My name is Dr. Tollman." She shakes Cash's hand in greeting.

"So, I'm going to give it to you straight. Based on clinical signs and x-rays, it is clear Romeo has gastric torsion. Something caused his stomach to bloat. Then his stomach twisted on itself. The only option now is surgery. Is that something you want to do?"

"Of course. Absolutely." Everything is moving too fast, but I would do anything for Romeo to be okay.

"What causes this?" Cash asks. I'm once again grateful he is there.

"Many things potentially cause it, but I'm not sure what triggered his bloat. Eating too quickly, running after eating, drinking too much, or stress are all causes." Dr. Tollman stands to leave. "We will do everything we can so he will be okay. I will need to prep him for surgery very soon. Do you want to say hi to him before that?"

I follow her to the back room. Romeo is laying on a blanket in the corner kennel. "You'll be okay buddy," I stroke his head. I'm encouraged at the small tail wag he gives in response.

"He will have to stay in the hospital overnight," Dr. Tollman says. "I will call you with an update after surgery. You should go home. You can see him in the morning."

I nod, not wanting to leave Romeo but knowing he needs to get to surgery so he can be okay. Cash gently pulls me out of the room.

I expect him to drive me straight home, but he makes a detour to McDonalds. "You need to eat," he tells me when I grumble that I'm not hungry. I know he's right, so I let him buy me food. I munch on my fries, my mind still at the veterinary hospital.