In The Middle

Fifteen: Surgery Day

Fifteen
Miami Florida

Ari's POV…

“Relax, Ari, you have to believe that your mom is in good hands,” Sam said to me at the same time she handed me a chocolate-covered donut and a steaming cup of coffee. Having her here with me while I sat in this huge, semi-quiet waiting room was the only thing keeping me from going insane. Ever since she and I returned to Florida last night, she's been right by my side. Going to the bathroom was the only time she would willingly let me out of her sight, and then I wasn't allowed to be in there too long before she started banging on the door.

“I'm as relaxed as I'm going to get,” I replied before sinking my teeth into the sweet chocolaty treat.

“Where did Lexi go?”

“I sent her home to get some rest and to freshen up.”

“Don't you think that you need to do the same?”

“No, I'm fine, Sam.”

“Lies! Your eyes are red as fire due to the lack of sleep you got last night, your hair looks terrible, and you're still wearing the same clothes you came to the hospital in last night.”

“I'll get some rest after I know that my mom's surgery was a success,” I said to Sam at the same time her cell phone rang.

“This discussion isn't over with.” Sam blurts out when her cell phone begins to ring. I let out a giant sigh when she walked away from me with her phone perched to her right ear. I know that she's worried about my physical and mental state, but her overbearing ways this morning were becoming too much for me to handle.

While sitting in the waiting room all by myself with my thoughts, I was finally able to admit to myself that I was afraid of losing my mom. The thought of mom not opening her eyes, seeing her beautiful smile, and hearing her lovely voice after today caused a terrifying feeling of uneasiness to wash over me. “No, that won't happen. My mom is a fighter, she won't leave Lexie and me here alone.” I mumbled to myself as tears poured from my eyes and rolled down my cheeks.

“Hello, I'm here looking for a Mrs. Salena Lambert?” I heard come from a voice I hadn't heard since I was seven years old. Rage quickly replaced the sad and terrified emotions I was just feeling when my eyes landed on the man who abandoned his wife and kids seventeen years ago without giving it a second thought.

“And who are you, Sir?” The receptionist asked him with her left fist positioned underneath her chin.

“I'm Mrs. Lambert hus…”

“He's a nobody.” I finished for him.

“Is this my little Ari…?”

“No, I'm not. You lost the privilege to call me that when you walked out of Lexi and my life years ago.”

“Baby, I know that I messed up, but can you please give me a chance to make it up to you, or at the very least let me explain to you why I did what I did?”

“Not today, maybe not ever, Mr. Lambert. I have too much going on in my life to be dealing with you and your mess, so will you please leave?”