Survivin' - [B.C.]

Chapter 11: Rearranging Bones

"Of course, darling." He said with a light pat on my cheek. He slung his arm around my shoulder and together, we descended the few stairs of the gazebo and out into the garden, walking back to our lovely home. Still, his voice echoed around in my head.

You're my kid.

========== SURVIVIN' ==========

Rich people must have super powers.

Ben was able to get me a surgery booked for the Monday following directly after his original proposal. All of Sunday night and Monday morning before my appointment, I was practically rattling with anxiety. My nerves were on fire. I was puking again. And Ben kept apologizing for not being able to give me water because we were instructed for me not to have anything to eat or drink past midnight on the day before the surgery. I was moaning in pain and just all-around miserable. I started to wonder if it was all really worth it.

"Do you want to do the piano thing?" Ben asked. He was propped against my bathroom doorframe and he had this concerned yet grossed-out look on his face. I shook my head in response to his question. This wasn't an issue of needing to be grounded. This was an issue of 'holy fuck some motherfuckers are about to saw into my body and rearrange my fucking bones.'

I was eventually able to calm down. Tell myself that these were professionals and they knew what they were doing. Other people have survived this. I was not the exception.

After puking out everything inside of me, I had to take a shower per doctor's orders. So I did so. It felt terrible not being able to drink water, especially with how dehydrated I was now. When I brushed my teeth, I savored the feeling of the water I swished around in my mouth.

I was told to wear loose and comfortable clothes on the day of the surgery even though I'd be given a gown to wear. I was also told not to bring anything with me to the hospital except my glasses. I didn't really have anything else to bring save for maybe my phone. Anyway, I probably wouldn't even be able to do anything on it without it falling out of my shaking hands.

Oh, and if you're wondering; Toby and I started officially dating on Sunday. So yeah. There ya go.

Ben drove his convertible again but we weren't blasting music this time. I was mostly trying to keep myself from puking in his really nice car. I think he was avoiding making me open my mouth for that same reason.

We got to the hospital and I was still wobbly. Ben helped me out of the car and tried to keep me upright as we checked in. We were a half-hour earlier than we needed to be. I couldn't fathom why. We were already advised to come 1-2 hours before the actual surgery. Why would Ben purposely add another 30 minutes to it?

Ben read a magazine like he was just waiting for the train or something. Meanwhile I'm over here, practically hyperventilating while every part of my body bounces in pure anxiousness. It was insane how calm he was. Like okay, yeah - maybe he wasn't the one going in for surgery, so he didn't need to worry about it. But shouldn't other people be worried about their family and friends if they're going under for god knows how long? I would be. I am.

Oh, help me...

"Calliope?" I cringed when the nurse called my deadname. Ben and I stood and walked over to where she was waiting by some big brown double-doors.

"Erm, actually, it's just 'Cal.'" Ben said. I tried to give him an appreciative smile but he wasn't looking. He was just staring politely at the nurse lady. She, only about as tall as me and had black hair tied up in a messy bun. Her name tag said RN: BAILEY MONTGOMERY. She nodded at what Ben said and smiled as she scribbled something onto her clipboard papers.