by Misty Boyd
After church was over, they went out to lunch. They always did, every Sunday, to discuss what each person had gotten from church that day. They ordered family-style fajitas with extra onions.
“So, that song, huh?” Jim said between bites of meat-stuffed tortilla.
“Yeah. I couldn’t even deal,” Carissa responded, digging in. She was always hungry after church.
“I thought I was the only one,” Sarah agreed. “I guess we know all we need to know. Trust in Him, even if we have to do this surgery, right?”
“Right,” Jim and Carissa confirmed.
There wasn’t much talking about church after that. There was a lot of fajita scarfing, but not much talking. There just wasn’t much to say. They all had felt it. God had come, and told them to trust Him, and they would.
In the car, Sarah piped up, “Have you heard from this Isaac boy recently, Carissa?”
“Um, yeah. He texted last night. Said he and his mom were going to pray for me at church today.” Way to slide it in there, Carissa! Surely that had to score some Dad points.
“Great! Did you invite him over yet?” Jim asked.
“No, not yet, Dad. We’re just friends. I don’t want him to have to face the Dad Inquisition! You’ll run him off before I even know if he’s interested.”
“Carissa, he’s asking his mom to pray for you at church. He’s interested in something. Invite him over on Friday,” Sarah insisted.
“Okay.” And that was that. She would invite Isaac over for dinner on Friday. Now all she had to do was summon the courage to invite him. She’d ask him tomorrow after class. Maybe she could get another chocolate chip muffin date before her big appointment.
* * *
When they got home, Carissa went to her room for more studying, so Jim and Sarah had some alone time. Sarah led the way into the kitchen, where she made some iced tea.
Jim sat down at the table, staring out the window for a minute. “Sarah, what do you think about this Isaac boy? Carissa doesn’t have the best record with bringing boys into this house. I’m not sure I’m ready for another round.”
“Jim, he’s pre-med. He seems like he has some serious plans for his future.” Sarah dropped ice into two tall glasses, adding a slice of lemon to each one. “He’s not like those undriven knuckleheads she’s brought home before. Besides, his mother uses a wheelchair. There’s so much Carissa won’t have to explain. He just knows all of her ins and outs. You have to admit, that’s easier. And he prayed for her surgery. What eighteen-year-old boy do you know that has the head on his shoulders to have a good relationship with the Lord?”
“Me,” Jim said emphatically. “I had a good relationship with the Lord at eighteen.”
Sarah set the glasses on the table and slid into the chair next to Jim. “I rest my case. Give this boy a chance. At least let me feed him a good meal. You have full authority to kick him out without dessert if he doesn’t meet your expectations.”
“Deal,” Jim agreed, taking a huge drink of the tea.
Chapter 16
Isaac had texted Carissa a few times since seeing her at the library on Saturday. He couldn’t help it. He knew there was some rule about, “Don’t text a girl for three days, or she’ll think you’re desperate,” or something. But he didn’t care. He didn’t want to run the risk of seeming uninterested.
He wanted her to know his intention was to sweep her off her feet. He wanted no questions left unanswered about that, so he threw all the rules out the window. He was interested. He would say so. She was far too important to play around with. He would ask her to go on a real date, not burgers, this Friday.
He felt the sweat bead up on his forehead just at the thought. He hadn’t dated much, for fear that people wouldn’t understand his mom and all that was involved with being her son, but he didn’t worry about that with Carissa. He only worried that she was too special for him. And she was. He just hoped he could prove himself worthy of a chance.
He decided to go talk to his mom. She was a woman. She knew women. He went out of his room and found her on the couch watching the weather.
“Hey, Ma, can we talk?” he asked.
“Sure, baby. What’s in that head of yours?” She shifted on the couch to face him and patted the seat beside her. “Come sit down. We have some time before church.”
“Well, there’s this girl, Carissa. I met her at school. You know… the one I asked you to pray for. She’s… well… I think I like her a lot. She’s different than other girls I’ve met. It’s only been a few days, but I… look… a man just knows things. I like her.” He sat up straight, hoping she would take him like the man he knew he was.
“Isaac, my baby, a man and in love with a girl! Tell me everything. What’s she like? You know you better treat her right. I won’t have a man child of mine treating a woman with anything less than perfect honor!” She pointed a finger toward him, a stern look on her face.
“I know, Ma.” He gently grabbed her pointed finger out of the air and held her hand. “I won’t be like my father. You had to be daddy to me, and I know from you how a woman is supposed to be treated, not like you were.”
“That’s my boy! You look like you have questions only a woman can answer. Shoot ’em at me.” She laced her fingers with his and waited.
“Well… I mean, she’s just special. I think she’s been treated badly by boys before me. How do I show her I’m not them? I want to do this right for her. I want to be the different one.” He pinched his pant leg between his fingers, bunching it up, then letting it go.
“Honey, her past pain is between her and God. Is she a believer? God can fix anything for those who believe. You just pray for her and be the man I know you can be. Show her who you are. God will fix her heart.” She reached up and touched his face with her hand, looking deep in his eyes. “Now hand me my purse. The best place to pray for her is in church, and we’re running late!”
Isaac grabbed his mom’s purse from the coffee table in front of them and handed it to her, then helped her into her wheelchair.
“Weather man said it’s a hot one today! That’s Houston!” She wheeled toward the door.
Isaac followed her out the door and they headed to church in the Volvo, the air conditioning on full blast to counteract the heat. Upon arriving, they found their pastor, a tall, dark black man in a black suit, standing at the door greeting everyone who walked in, as he always did.
“Hello, Isaac, Betty! Two of my favorites. Come on in!” He extended his hand to Isaac, and Isaac pulled him in for a hug.
“Pastor Henry, good to see you today!” Isaac let go of Henry and stood to the side to wait for his mom.
“Betty, come here and give me a hug,” Isaac heard the pastor say as he embraced his mother.
When the greetings were exchanged, Isaac and his mother took their regular seats in a pew on the front row, Isaac helping his mother into the pew from her chair. The choir filed in just as Isaac and his mother got settled. They started with “Amazing Grace,” and sang through “How Great Thou Art,” and “It Is Well with My Soul,” before Pastor Henry got up to preach the sermon.
Isaac loved Pastor Henry. He had practically been his father growing up, and he loved the way the man brought the word every Sunday and made it so relevant to his life. This sermon was no different. It spoke right to his soul, and he left the church filled with strength and boldness he knew could only come from God.
Chapter 17
Isaac invited Carissa to the food court after math class on Monday. Once again, he bought her a coffee and a chocolate chip muffin. “I hope you like those. I didn’t even think to ask, but who doesn’t like chocolate chips, right?” he said with a grin.
“They’re delicious. Thank you, Isaac.” Carissa accepted the muffin graciously. “Anyone who doesn’t like chocolate chips is defective, for sure,” she replied, as she plucked a single chocolate chip out of the muffin and popped it in her mouth.
“Hey, uh…” He hesitated, looking nervous,
which made her nervous. “So, what are you doing Friday night?”
Oh, no. Friday night. She had forgotten. She was supposed to invite him for dinner. “I… uh… see… I’m supposed to… Do you want to come over for dinner? It’s kind of a rule… My dad wants to meet any guy I’m thinking of… uh… My mom is cooking.”
Wow, Carissa! Just put it out there. Oh, man, she was not good at this.
Isaac looked surprised, and maybe a little relieved. “I’ll be there. Gotta satisfy the dad. See you then. Oh, and call me tonight after your appointment. I want to know what’s up.”
“Will do!” And that was that. Isaac was coming to dinner Friday night to meet the parents. “Speaking of my appointment, I should get home. I have to be there at 2:00. Mom and Dad both want to come, so I have to be home when Dad gets there. He took a half-day off today. Thanks for the muffin!”
Isaac walked her to her car, and she headed home, more than a little apprehensive. Now she had to worry about her appointment and dinner on Friday. She arrived home about the same time Jim did. They met in the wide concrete driveway in front of the house.
“Hey, kid! You ready for this?” he asked.
Carissa thought her dad sounded a little gruff, and she wondered if he was more worried than he looked. “Ready as I’m gonna get.” She tried to sound positive.
“Me, too.” He gave her a long look. “Did you talk to that Isaac boy? Is he coming to dinner?”
“Yeah,” Carissa said. “I talked to him, and he’s coming.” She paused, then added, “He wants me to call him after my appointment and let him know what happens. I told him I would.”
“That’s great,” Jim told her. “I can’t wait to meet him, give him the ol’ Dad speech.”
“Dad, please,” Carissa pleaded. “He’s nice. Please be nice back.”
“I’ll be nice, but he has to qualify. No boy takes my daughter out of my sight without passing the dinner test,” Jim said adamantly.
“Dad…” Carissa started.
“Come on, kid. Your mom is waiting for us.” Jim waited while Carissa maneuvered into the house.
Inside, Carissa went into the living room to wait for her parents to get ready. It took a few minutes but, when all of them met in the living room, they gathered around to pray.
“Dear Heavenly Father,” Jim started, bowing his head, “we come to you today to ask protection, guidance, and wisdom for all of us. You’ve always provided for Carissa and protected her from harm, and we simply ask that You continue more of the same today as we get these test results. God, You know we don’t want Carissa to have to endure another surgery, but we’ll do as You guide and instruct, because we know You have her best interests at heart. We love You, and we know You love us more than we can fathom. We lift this day up to You and leave it in Your hands. In Jesus’ name we ask these things. Amen.” He raised his head.
“Amen,” Carissa and Sarah chimed in.
“Okay, let’s do this!” Jim said, and Carissa sensed he was trying to sound more enthusiastic than he felt. In truth, she was sure he was scared to death to watch his little girl go through this again.
They all piled into the car and drove to the city.
Chapter 18
Dr. Brock’s office was the same temperature as Dr. Taylor’s―freezing. Jim, Sarah, and Carissa sat in the examination room after Carissa’s vital signs were taken and then waited to meet the neurosurgeon. No one said anything. Jim didn’t make Dad jokes, and Sarah offered no comforting advice. Carissa didn’t want to be there at all. It seemed like the cool gray walls were crowding in on them, threatening to crush the family in a cube of indifference.
They had been waiting for what felt like a lifetime, and then a white-coated man strolled through the doorway. Dr. Brock was young, with blond hair and hazel eyes, and about six feet tall. “Hi!” he said. “Where’s Carissa?”
Carissa adjusted in her chair and piped up. “You’re looking for me,” she responded.
“Great! And you two must be Mom and Dad. Good to meet you all. ”He shook hands around the room, and then took the rolling chair nearest to the computer.
“I see here that your recent urodynamic study showed some bladder changes, and Dr. Taylor is concerned about tethered cord, so he sent you to me. Is that accurate?”
“Yes,” Carissa answered.
“And you had the MRI I ordered for Friday?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Great! Let me go get that file and take a look, and then we’ll talk about what I see.” He rose from the chair and shook everyone’s hand again, starting with Carissa’s. “Then we can come up with a plan.”
“Okay,” Carissa murmured.
Dr. Brock stepped out and left them alone again.
“He seems nice. Respectable,” Jim said.
“Yeah. I like him,” Sarah replied. “You’re quiet, Carissa. Everything okay?”
“Just nervous,” Carissa admitted.
“I know, baby. At least we’ll know what we’re facing soon. Hang in there.” Sarah patted her daughter’s knee.
Just then, Dr. Brock stepped back into the room. Carissa felt her heart speed up.
“Okay, so here’s what I see,” Dr. Brock stated. “The bladder test alone doesn’t necessarily point straight to tethered cord, but that, along with what we see here on the MRI, is definitely cause for concern.” He took his seat again and looked directly at Carissa. “Carissa, I had the opportunity to look over some of your past MRIs, ones you may not remember from being so young, and I do see some changes I don’t like. There is definitely some new tethering going on and, based on the bladder changes, I think it’s best we intervene now to prevent further damage. I would like to go in and take a look to see if I can move the spinal cord away from the structures it’s stuck to right now. Hospital stay is about a week, depending on how well you do, and full recovery can take up to six months. You’ll be able to resume normal activities long before that, though. It’ll just be harder for a while, again, depending on how well you recover.”
Carissa felt hot tears fill her eyes and drip down her cold face. She couldn’t do this again! She hated spina bifida and all that came with it, especially being cut repeatedly. She hated everything about surgery, and this doctor wanted to do another one. She couldn’t do it. She just couldn’t. She looked over at her mom for comfort, and saw tears streaming down her face, too. “Mom, I can’t do this again.”
“Yes, you can, baby. You’re stronger than you think. I’ve seen you come through so much worse. We’ll do it again.”
The room fell silent.
“I’ll leave you guys alone to process all this,” Dr. Brock interrupted the silence, “and I’ll let my secretary know you need to schedule a pre-op. Take your time. Come out when you’re ready, and we’ll take care of the rest.” He got up and leaned down to place a hand on Carissa’s shoulder. “Carissa, I’m very good at what I do. You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll see you guys outside.” And he left them alone.
They didn’t talk much. Carissa cried. Sarah held her, and Jim held Sarah. They just sat there in silence for a long time, until Jim broke the silence. “Come on, guys. Let’s go schedule this thing… show it we’re not afraid.”
They went down the hallway to the receptionist’s desk, where Jim explained they needed a pre-op appointment for a tethered cord release.
The girl, a short, pretty brunette with dark eyes, looked through the notes on her desk. “Yes, sir. For Carissa, right? I’ve got the paperwork right here. Dr. Brock said he’d like to get her in as soon as possible, at least by the end of the month. We have pre-op appointments, typically on Mondays. How is Monday, a week from today?”
Carissa nodded. She would likely have to drop out of school for the semester. The way Dr. Brock was talking, recovery was all dependent on how her body took the surgery. There was no way to tell for sure when she’d be able to come back.
And what about Isaac? Would he stick around if she wasn’t in his Alge
bra class anymore? She hoped he didn’t lose interest. All of this was just terrible timing, and she hated it.
They finalized the appointment and headed toward home.
“Carissa? You okay?” Sarah asked from the front passenger seat.
Carissa took a breath. “Yeah, just absorbing. I guess I’ll have to drop math and English this semester. I’ll email my teachers when we get home. I just hate all of this. I was really getting somewhere, and then spina bifida showed up again. It seems like I go so long, and everything’s fine, and then BAM! Hit by the spina bifida truck again. It just gets old.”
Sarah nodded. “I know, but maybe this will be the last thing for a while. I hate it, too.”
The rest of the car ride home was quiet, as each of them tried to grasp the weight of it all. They all had their own ways of coping and, for now, silence seemed the most soothing thing for all of them. They just sat. No radio, no conversation. Just each individual, lost in thought.
Carissa thought about what to tell Isaac. Could he handle this? Weeks of recovery, where she may not be herself at all, and definitely wouldn’t be up for chocolate chip muffin dates. She hoped he would hang around. She really liked him.
When they got home, they went their separate ways, Sarah to the kitchen, and Jim to his home office. Carissa went to her bedroom to email teachers and text Isaac.
Once the emails were sent, Carissa felt empty. She was the kind of girl who needed to be doing something, accomplishing things, and now she was just stalled out, waiting on this surgery. She decided it was time to tell Isaac.
“Hey,” she texted. “I just got home from the doctor.”
He texted back immediately. “How’d it go?”
“Not great. They found what they were looking for. Pre-op is Monday.”
His response came quickly. “Oh. I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. I didn’t want this for you. Are you okay?”
She hesitated a moment, her fingers hovering, then began to type. “Uh… yes, and no. I just hate this. I have to drop my classes. There’s just no way I could keep up.”
