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Relief pours through me. It’s not his heart. He’s going to be fine.
He notices a blister on Arlow’s finger and picks up his hand to look. “The doctor told me you reported some vigorous exercise. What were you doing the last few days?”
“Uh…some yard work around my property.”
“Digging,” I announce. We can’t tell the truth about what we were digging, but I can make sure his doctor has all the information that might be pertinent. “We were digging some ditches for irrigation pipe in our back field.”
Doctor McAllister looks at Arlow then me. “Your girlfriend has sense enough to tell on you. I like her.”
“Calli,” I introduce myself as Arlow sits up.
“It’s nice to meet you. Calli.”
He turns back to Arlow. “Hot and cold compresses and some rest will take care of the pain. Before I discharge you, I have a question. Do you want me to crack your chest open again? Was it such a wonderful experience that you want to recreate it?”
“Definitely not.”
“Then get somebody else to lay the irrigation pipe. No more digging. No shoveling snow. Nothing more than moderate exercise. You know these rules. This time you got lucky but next time you may not. Keep taking your pill and monitoring your blood pressure. People tend to grow lax after a time when things are going well. Keep in mind that following those guidelines is why you aren’t having issues. So don’t be an idiot.”
Arlow’s grin has a tinge of embarrassment as the doctor scolds him. “Understood. I’ll take it easy.”
He’s direct. I like him. They talk over his test results for a few minutes, and he informs him that since they’ve done the routine tests a bit early, he doesn’t need to see him again for six months.
A few minutes later, we walk out of the hospital, and Arlow interlaces his fingers with mine. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m just glad you’re okay. Are you hungry?”
“I could demolish a cheeseburger about now.”
“Sounds good to me.”
It did scare the hell out of me, and the anxiety will always be there when it comes to his health, but he’s worth it. Over the next few days, I don’t let him do anything but rest. We spend our time curled up together with a heating pad on his chest, and his pain quickly resolves.
He’s livestreaming tonight, and once he’s cloistered in the barn, I make my way to the top of the hill to build a bonfire. It’s funny. Not that long ago, I would’ve been nervous to walk through the graveyard alone. To be out here by myself at night at all. Now it’s only peaceful.
Arlow’s trip to the hospital has me concerned but not about his heart or what may happen in the future. His doctor says he’s doing well. This is the first time he’s had a scare like this since we got together, and I’m worried he’ll go back to his old way of thinking. That he’ll want to spare me future terrifying situations.
The fear is probably unfounded. He hasn’t acted any differently. Despite how much it’s improved, I’m sure it’s my anxiety leading the way, but I still need to talk to him about it. I need some reassurance.
Barely an hour after I’ve started the fire, Arlow sits beside me on the log. “Hey,” he says, softly. “Do you want company?”
“I always want your company, but I thought you were livestreaming until midnight?”
“I wasn’t feeling it. Couldn’t focus.”
“Is your chest hurting again?”
“No.” He slides his arm around my middle, tucking me against his side. “I feel fine.” He presses his lips to my temple. “But something is on your mind.”
It’s strange to be so easily read by someone, to be known that well. My only response is a nod while I try to find the words to explain. “I was going to talk to you about it tonight.”
“I know I scared you. That you got a peek at how…temporary this could be. Are you reconsidering things between us, Calliope?”
“No!” I turn to him, horrified that he’d even think that. The way his expression relaxes with relief breaks my heart, and I run my fingers through his scruff. “I love you. I’m not going anywhere. All we ever have is now, and if now is all I get, I’ll take it. You’re worth every moment of fear and worry. Don’t you understand that?”
He delivers a quick, soft kiss on my lips. “I do understand. If I lost you tomorrow and had to live with half a heart for the rest of my life, I’d have no regrets.”
“I was worried the health scare might’ve changed your mind about us. You were so set on not dating or letting anyone get close to you before,” I confess.
