AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It spoke of hospitalization, catheters, blood transfusion, and Prednisone. It kept going on with nurse care and the oxygen kennel and Jo finally reached the bottom. Her jaw dropped when she read the number circled. “$3,500?” she asked.
“I know that seems a bit overwhelming,” Dr. Yassir replied. “But the medication is expensive but will prove to be his lifeline.”
“And if it isn’t?” Jo stated. “Cancer patients die all the time. We see it in the hospital. It’s sad, but it happens.”
“I understand. Unfortunately, those are the risks that we all have to take. Without this care over the next twenty-four hours, Maverick isn’t going to see much past a week.”
Jo opened her mouth, and she looked down at the overwhelming total. She would do whatever needed to be done, to make sure that Maverick received the care and attention he needed. She would somehow make it happen, despite the mounting bills that had already piled up.
“Where do I sign?”
Dr. Yassir handed her over a pen, then pointed out the spot to place her signature. Jo signed it, a sense of dread and relief all rolled up into one big sensation.
“Can she see Maverick before we leave?”
Jo turned to Ali, relieved she asked the question. Dr. Yassir nodded and motioned for her to follow her down a hallway. Outside of the room, Ali held back. Jo looked back to her, but Ali gave a slight nod.
“You should do it alone. Just know that I’m out here for you.”
Jo released her hand and entered the room. She felt that anxiety slipping back inside of her as the doctor left and she was forced to wait alone. Another woman brought him in, carrying him, then laying him down on the table. Jo leaned in and brushed her lips against his fur.
“It’s only for a night,” she whispered. “You will get better, boy. I love you.” He barely moved and she stepped back and gave a nod to the woman. She turned and hurried from the room and Ali was there to catch her when she fell. “He looks so weak,” she breathlessly replied.
“Which is why you’re doing this for him, to make sure he gets better. He’s in good hands, Jo. Chin up. You will have him home soon.” Jo nodded and they left the hospital and went to Ali’s car. “Do you want me to take the night off?” Ali asked.
Jo turned to her and gawked. “You would do that? You said you never call in.”
“Well, I kind of think today might warrant it. I can tell them I’m sick or something.” The gesture was super kind and Jo would have never forgotten that Ali made it, but she also knew that if she allowed that, she would feel bad if it wrecked a record that Ali had previously made.
“I appreciate you offering. More than you even know, but I think you should go to work. I’ll be alright.” She leaned in and kissed her. Again, she was thankful that Ali was in her corner, but she had to just keep up the faith and try not to think about Maverick, until he was back home where he belonged.
Jo’s thoughts kept going to Maverick. She wasn’t the least bit surprised. This was the first night she wouldn’t have him sleeping at the end of her bed. She just wanted to trust that by the time she picked him up he would be back to his normal self. However, it was impossible to contemplate.
The phone rang and Jo jumped, not expecting the call just after seven. When she saw Ali’s name, she breathed a sigh. For a split second, she feared that maybe something had happened to Maverick. Seeing it was Ali did bring a smile to her face.
“Hello?”
“Hey, just thought I’d check up on you. I have a few moments. How are you doing?”
“Honestly? Been better. Tried watching television but all that kept coming on was dog food commercials. Old reruns of Lassie were on. Oh, and I had to scurry past Turner and Hooch.”
Ali groaned. “Sounds rough. I’m sorry.”
“That’s alright. I’m just really trying to not think about it and so I turned the TV off.”
“Did you eat something?” Ali asked.
“Not really. My stomach isn’t in the mood.”
“You have to eat,” Ali scolded. At that moment there was a knock on the door.” Jo frowned and glanced at the clock, struck with not wanting to grab the door.
“What’s wrong?”
“Someone’s here. I’m in lounge pants and a t-shirt. Not exactly in the mood to greet someone. Maybe they’ll go away.”
“Jo, that will most likely be your pizza.”
Jo frowned. “Huh?”
