The Reunion

Chapter 16 - Karlie

Karlie woke up to a ping from her phone. The dreaded one that told her someone was messaging her from a certain social platform that she had grown to despise.

She flipped the screen over to see the alert: One New Facebook Message. She groaned. It was a message from Emily Rupp, formerly Wrenn.

Emily Rupp (Wrenn): Hey, I'm so glad we ran into each other the other day! It was so great seeing you!

As if Emily had talked to her once in high school.

I'm sending you a Facebook event invitation and I think it would be so wonderful if you could come. If not, I totally understand, but it would be so great if you could be there. I think most people have RSVP'd yes to going, so I'm sure you'll be able to see a lot of old friends. Hope to see you there!

Exactly how many times could this woman use the phrases "so wonderful," and "so great," in one message?

She clicked on the event and tossed the phone to the foot of the bed.

"A god damn high school reunion?" She groaned and rubbed her face as she flopped back onto the pillow until she heard another ping. She cringed.

Lisa Marie: Hey, our return was delayed. I need you to go check on your dad for me. Please let me know how everything is.

Well, nobody ever said her aunt wasn't direct and to-the-point. There wasn't anything else in the chat, just that she had to go back to the hospital.

Two hours later, she found herself standing in that massive lobby again. Every sound echoed and made her feel like she was standing in the middle of a busy highway tunnel. People scurried in every direction as if their destinations in the hospital needed their immediate presence. She sucked in a deep breath and headed to the elevator.

The bed was empty, but there was a food tray on the table in Dwayne's room. He must have just left, because there were bites out of the food and steam still rising from it.

There were voices in the hall close to the door and Karlie couldn't help but eavesdrop.

"He's in his PT session, but his charts look decent. If he continues with the sessions, and his levels keep in this direction, he should be discharged maybe by the end of the week." A low male voice said.

"But that's just being hopeful." Another voice said. One that sounded all too familiar.

"Yes. That's being hopeful. But, overall, everything is looking to be coming to positive levels."

"This is also assuming that he continues with the PT and maintains a healthy lifestyle once he is home." That familiar voice stated.

"Well, that's the case with any patient." The other voice said dismissively. "I take it, you know this patient personally?"

There was a pause. "I don't know him as much as you're assuming. I know his daughter, but I haven't kept in touch with the family for several years."

Karlie perked up at the admission. The voice now forming a face in her mind. But she had said she was off work for several days.

"Do you want to be taken off the updates that are sent to you since you were on his surgery?" The man asked. "I can make sure you're taken off anything further since you know him."

"No. You can keep me on them. From what I understand, he may need some coaxing once he's back home and I'd like to know where things are progressing." Kaia said. "I'd like to know how the therapy is developing and if he might need someone to assist at home once he's discharged."

"This is starting to sound like you're taking personal measures with the patient. I'd advise that you are taken off any further updates if you're taking a personal interest in them." The low voice warned. "How close are you to this family?" He asked.