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The next night, we did the same. But our sleep is uneasy since it’s soon Friday when Olivia’s surgery is scheduled at nine in the morning. Dr. Carlyle was performing the surgery. I bring her to Sloan at 7:00 AM sharp to get her prepared. They have her fill out paperwork, change into her gown, and set up an intravenous infusion. I stay with her until they wheel her to the OR just before 8:30 AM. Lexi, JC, and Matty join me in the waiting room just after 8:45 AM. I’m thankful for their company.
“I thought Olivia wasn’t scheduled until nine,” Lexi says questioningly.
“She wasn’t, but they took her early.”
“I wanted to see her before she went. We all did.”
“She’s fine,” I assure them. “A little nervous but fine. The doctor said her surgery should be done in an hour or so.
They talk among themselves, and I lay my head back against the wall and doze. Neither Olivia nor I got much sleep the night before because of worry. Time ticks by, and I keep waking up. At different points, Matty is on his phone, and JC and Lexi are reading magazines. There is nothing to do but wait.
“Olivia, do you need anything?”
“No, I’m just uncomfortable.”
“Can the doctor do something for you?”
“He said my recovery just has to run its course.”
Her surgery lasted a little over an hour. She was fortunate—the tumors had not infiltrated any of the surrounding tissue and were small enough for Dr. Carlyle to remove them like you would polyps during a routine colonoscopy. Her recovery is predicted to be about a week. She needs to take it easy, but it’s clear Olivia is anxious to get back to work since she’s been away from Eltech for almost five months. Once she goes back to the office, I will too.
We’ve gotten into a routine together, but I have to keep in mind that we’re only friends. She ceased sleeping in my bed once she got home from the hospital. I suspect because she isn’t sleeping and doesn’t want to disturb me. And even though she’s irritable when I do, I’ve been waiting on her hand and foot.
As September nears its end, I know that I only have another few weeks with Olivia before she moves back to her apartment. She mentions to me that the tenant she has is moving out by November 15th. I was hoping to have her stay with me until Thanksgiving, but I can see she’s anxious to be back in her own space.
We’ll be together for the holiday since Lexi invited both of us to her home. I had a choice between going home to face an awkward holiday with my parents, Noah, and Vivian in their formal dining room or a more relaxing atmosphere with my friends. Even Rory and Hunter want to avoid an uncomfortable holiday with the Wiltons, so it’s an easy choice.
Eventually, we’ll all have to go to Boston for a visit, but right now, I want to be around as much as possible for Olivia, whether she lives with me or not.
“If you need anything, let me know.”
“You’re doing it again,” she warns.
“Doing what?” I innocently ask.
“Hovering, being a mother hen, whatever you want to call it.”
“You’re a guest in my home. I want to make sure you’re taken care of. What kind of host would I be if you weren’t?”
Olivia shakes her head and goes back to her bedroom. I know she’s right; I am hovering. She worries me because she looks pale, and her appetite hasn’t come back yet. She needs to gain the weight back that she lost.
