Timeless

Chapter 3

26th October 2012

Mum and I go out for breakfast, Backup with us at the dog friendly cafe. It's good to be able to see my mum. Friday is our usual hang out day, as she gets Fridays off work. We drop Backup home, then head back to the hospital at ten, because I have an appointment at 10.45.

"Avery," Belinda says with a smile as I enter my ward. "You've got a message."

I look between her and mum, a puzzled look on my face. Who would have called me before 10 on a Friday? Belinda hands me a piece of paper, and all it says is 'Julian called' and then a number.

"He sounded upset you weren't in yet," Belinda teases.

I blush, a deep scarlet colour, so I give a quick goodbye and rush to my room.

"Are you going to call him?" Mum asks, coming in and collecting my laundry and leaving fresh clothes for me.

"Not right now," I answer. "I don't want to seem desperate." I giggle at that, because the time on the message slip was 8.23am. I don't think I'm the desperate one.

Mum and I tidy up my room for a little bit before heading to Doctor Lewis' office. He's really nice, and has been very supportive and informative for this whole ordeal.

"How are you lovely ladies today?" Doctor Lewis asks cheerfully as we enter his office.

We go through the usual, and then Doctor Lewis' face changes. "I have some good news. A surgery spot's opened up this Monday. We can do your hysterectomy at 11.30."

I'm shocked. This is good news. But it's really sudden, and now I feel really sick and scared. Mum holds my hand and gives me a squeeze. Of course we can't say no, so we go through all the details and then it's official. My surgery is booked.

When I get back to my room, mum gives me some privacy, so I decide to call Julian.

"Hello?" he asks, not knowing it's me because all hospital numbers come up as private.

"Hi," I say simply, not feeling in the mood to make a joke. "It's Avery."

"Hey!" he says, sounding a lot happier. "You ok?"

I give a soft laugh. "You always ask me that. Are you ok?" I counter.

"I'm great now. But I'll be better if you give me an answer I want to hear to my next question." I sit and wait. "Can you catch up tomorrow?"

My breath hitches. "Tomorrow is soon. Oh, I didn't mean to say that out loud." I smack myself in the forehead.

"Uh, yeah it is. It's just, well, tomorrow is the only day I have free until next week. And I wanted to see you."

Next week. I don’t think I'll be up to visits next week. "Yeah, no, tomorrow is great. I just, never mind."

"If you don't want to..."

"I do!" I say urgently, and now I'm the desperate one.

Julian laughs. "Good. I can pick you up and we could go for lunch? Maybe a movie. I don't know. Anything."

"Sounds good. Pick me up at 11.30?"

The plan for tomorrow is in place, and butterflies take flight in my stomach. It's the first time I'm going out on a date with Julian, while knowing it's a date. But last night was a group thing, so tomorrow is like an actual date. Oh God I'm making myself sick.

Mum and I sit around all day, watching TV, playing games and talking. It helps to keep my mind off Julian, but when I'm alone, he's all I can think about. It makes for a restless night and a lack of sleep.