Eventually Yours

✽ 32

~Brie~

I anxiously bit my lower lip, clutched my hands tighter and unconsciously continued counting the number of times I tapped my foot.

Nick's Cynthia was my Cynthia... our Cynthia. And maybe if I were not in such a hurry to confront Aiden Corleone, I would have been there to maybe prevent my friend from going unconscious. I sighed and looked around the waiting room.

A variety of well-thumbed-through magazines, a few books, and the usual half-empty box of generic facial tissues was on display. Rather uninspired artwork hung on the beige-toned walls and the end table beside me was covered with medical information pamphlets.

What's taking them forever?

Nicholas let out a loud sigh and I sat up.

“Nick, relax. She's going to be fine.”

I didn't know for sure because none of us had any idea what was wrong with her. But I'd heard that statement every time I had to take Roman to the hospital. And you'd think it got easier but no. Each time in the waiting room, my anxiety only grew.

I rubbed Nick's back and a figure moved. Standing by the large plastic potted plant was Aiden. He had a scowl on his face. When he looked away from Nick and realized I was staring, he pretended to be engrossed in watching the muted TV bolted to the wall that was playing drug advertisements on repeat.

Why is he like this?

I'd tried to get Megan on the phone but she wasn't answering, and neither was Mr. Martin. The door opened and we all looked up but then looked back down again when it wasn't the doctor. It made us all seem like slow-motion bobblehead dolls. I ached with hope that someone would at least let us learn of Cynthia's condition and location.

As a nurse walked past me, the sound of the squeaky soles of her Crocs on the tile floor, filled my ears and complimented the endless beeps from the unseen machines and announcements from the intercom. The telephone on the receptionist’s desk kept lighting up like a Christmas tree, but the calls were never answered as the receptionist claimed to be on break.

“Is there anyone here for Cynthia Bales?” a male nurse spoke up.

Nicholas practically flew out of his seat, tugging me up with him.

“We are!” he answered, his voice cracking.

“The doctor wants to speak with you so if you could please follow me.”

I nodded and went with Nicholas. Aiden followed very closely behind. We got to the doctor's office and took a seat. Aiden decided to stand.

“Doctor? How is she?” Nick asked.

The woman smiled.

“Fine.”

Nicholas sighed heavily with relief beside me.

“Can you tell us what happened to her?” Aiden asked. “She couldn't have just passed out like that and be fine.”

I glanced at him over my shoulder.

“Yes you're right,” the doctor said. “Not that I want you to worry, but we ran several tests and they revealed excess calcium in the patient's urine.”

Oh, God.

I knew exactly where this was going.

“A CT scan confirmed the diagnosis and the patient is at risk of kidney stones and she's going to need surgery.”

Nicholas took in a sharp breath.

“I thought you didn't want to worry us” he muttered.

The doctor didn't smile.