by Faye Byrd
He’s quiet for a second. “Friday,” he finally answers, then rushes ahead. “I know it’s soon, and I’m sorry I didn’t contact you before, but I wanted to make sure I was committed before I told you. I didn’t want to change my mind.”
“I understand completely. Sorry we can’t get together before you leave, but I’d love to hear from you while you’re there, if you get the chance.”
The relief is evident in his voice. “You know it, and if I can’t call, I’ll write you a letter.”
“Sounds good. I appreciate you letting me know,” I say, suddenly feeling sentimental.
“Of course, Easy. It was good talking to you.”
“You, too. Bye, Richard.”
“Bye.”
For the first time since our separation, I feel inspired by the direction Richard’s life is taking. Prior to now, he’d filled his time with meaningless relationships in between hectic shifts at Metro University Medical Center. Before me, he had dreams of highly-ranked hospitals in bigger cities. And though this isn’t that, it feels like the beginning of a new amazing journey.
Thinking of Richard’s exciting endeavor makes me contemplate my own. I have a successful business, a beautiful home with a fenced-in yard, a dog and the most perfect son ever. My life is pretty amazing, but I’m not quite done yet. It’s time Cameron has a sibling.
Tasha enters in a rush with lunch in her arms, breaking me out of my reverie. She places it all on my desk and pulls up a chair. While we sit and eat, she tells me about the cashier at the deli hitting on her.
“As if,” she says and rolls her eyes.
Apparently, he’s either a teenager or barely in his twenties and slipped her his number with the receipt. I laugh out loud. “I guess the deli’s off the list for a while.”
“More like, forever,” she replies, snapping her fingers to make her point.
Laughter bubbles inside me as I ball my trash together. “You’re a mess.”
“No, that kid’s the mess, thinking he can have some of this.” She stands and motions over herself before she starts collecting our trash.
A knock interrupts our playful moment. I look up. “Maddox.” I smile to hide my confusion. “Did we have an appointment?”
He holds up a white paper bag. “I was just bringing lunch, if that’s okay.”
I motion to Tasha, who’s just finished grabbing our trash. “I’m sorry. Tasha and I were just finishing up.”
“Oh,” he says, his shoulders slumping. “Do you mind if I sit for a minute?”
Tasha deposits the trash into the bin and turns to exit my office. “Hi, Maddox,” she says as she passes him before sending me a lifted brow over his shoulder.
I shake my head at her nonsense and motion to the chair she just vacated. “Sure.”
Maddox Rochester is the owner of a contracting company I utilize from time to time when implementing my designs. We’ve grown into friends over the years, but lately, his intentions have become more obvious, and it’s not something I’m interested in pursuing.
As he slips into the chair, he chuckles. “At least now I know the proper time to show up,” he says, motioning to the bag. “Do you mind if I eat?”
His question throws me. I shouldn’t encourage him in any way, but asking him not to eat seems excessively rude, so I settle for an in-between. “Sure. You eat while I add some finishing touches to this proposal.”
His smile fades a little, but that’s okay. Maybe he’ll get the picture before it gets embarrassing for either of us. Our professional relationship has been great, we’re friends even, and I’d hate to see it ruined over hurt feelings.
The intercom buzzes, interrupting the weird moment. “Easy?”
“Yes, Tasha.”
“I have Mrs. Logan on line two.”
“Thank you.”
I pick up the phone and press to connect the call, sending Maddox an apologetic smile.
“Charlotte, how is everything?” It’s not unheard of for her to call me at the office, so I don’t think anything of it until I hear her next words.
“Easy, I need you to stay calm.”
I immediately tense. “What do you mean stay calm. Has something happened?”
When I’m only met with silence, desperation grips me. “Charlotte, you’re scaring me. What is it?” I stand and start collecting my purse.
“It’s Cam.”
2 DETOUR
Easy
My heart starts to race, and my breathing picks up, but her soothing voice comes across the line. “Now, don’t get worked up, dear. We just have a little problem.”
That doesn’t sound so bad. I start to count down from ten in my head, taking slow, deep breaths. When I’m able to speak calmly, I ask the most important question. “Is he hurt?”
She sighs into the phone. “Not really hurt, Easy, but his nose spontaneously started bleedin’ today.”
Relief sweeps through me, and I sag into my seat. “That’s all? You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
The line is silent once again. “Charlotte?”
“He’s okay, Easy. I did call Dave, though, and he wants to see him … today.”
I sit back in my chair. “Okay, did you make him an appointment?”
“Nonsense. Any time you can get there is absolutely fine.”
I mentally think through the rest of my day and decide nothing’s important enough that I can’t put off. I eye the man sitting across from me. “Let me finish up here, and I’ll be right over. Say, forty-five minutes?”
“Sounds perfect. I’ll see ya then.”
After hanging up the phone, I give Maddox an apologetic look, though I’m actually appreciative of the reprieve. Maybe next time we’re together things will feel more platonic. “Sorry. It looks like my day has been cut short.”
He wipes burger grease from his mouth with his arm, similar to what Cam did this morning. I cringe internally. “No problem.” He shoves his food back into the paper bag and stands. “Is everything okay?”
To avoid answering the question right away, I stand and secure my purse strap back onto my shoulder. “I just need to get Cam from Charlotte. He isn’t feeling well.”
“Oh,” he says as he nods his head. “I’ll walk you out then.”
Even though it’s a statement, it’s obvious he’s just as unsure about the suggestion as I am. Thankfully, I have an out. “Oh, are you parked on this level?”
“Oh, no.” He audibly sighs. “Call me if you need anything then.”
Instead of responding, I grab the proposal I was working on and stuff it into the front pouch of my design bag as he loiters near the doorway. “It was nice seeing you, Maddox,” I offer in lieu of a response as I start in his direction.
“You too, Easy.” He displays an uncomfortable smile before finally turning to head out the door in front of me.
I sigh to myself but don’t waste much time pondering his intentions. Right now, I have more important things to focus on. My son. He needs his mama. With that as my only guide, I march from my office and pause at Tasha’s desk.
“Hey, what’s up?” she asks, her eyes going to my purse and bag.
“I need to pick up Cam and get him over to see Doctor Logan.”
Her brows furrow. “Is everything okay?”
“I think so. His nose has been bleeding, so of course, Charlotte called him.” I shake my head as if it is nothing but an overreaction on her part, yet somehow, I can’t convince myself that’s all it is.
“That doesn’t sound so bad. Keep me informed?”
“Sure.” I nod and give her an apologetic smile. “Make sure Ryder knows, too, please.”
She throws up her hand with a little helping of sass. “Stop, Easy. I got this. You go make sure that precious baby is okay.”
“I’m going, geesh. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
I never imagined those words could be so far off base.
This doctor’s visit is the beginning of something no one can ever imagi
ne. It shatters me, leaving me in so many pieces I’m not sure they can be put back together.
As I retrace the drive from only a few hours ago, my mind wanders back to the early days; the ones when conceiving Cameron was both scary and exciting. At first, when Richard and I split, I always thought the perfect man was still out there. But as the crappy dates piled up, I began to reevaluate my life.
Did I really need a man to make my dreams come true?
Everything already felt almost perfect, but there was one small thing still missing. With a thriving career and my twenty-fifth birthday approaching, I began considering the alternatives. After thoroughly researching my options, I finally broke down and spoke to Mom. Being nervous of her reaction was a waste of time because, as with everything else in life, she gave me her full support. My whole family did, to the extent that Weston left San Francisco behind and came home for good.
“I can’t be missing out on my little niece or nephew’s life, now can I?” he’d said when he’d showed up at the anniversary party. “Besides, looks like I’ve been missing out.” His eyes trailed over to Ryder, and he never looked away.
The process was simple enough. After some initial tests, we decided with my age and health to start with the IUI method. They would simply insert sperm into my uterus during ovulation. The first two attempts proved negative, but on the third try, I was granted the most special gift in the world.
After I made it to the second trimester, I shared the news with everyone other than my parents. They already knew. It was Amelia’s response that sticks with me most.
“I’m so excited for you, Easy,” she screamed, jumping up and down like we were back in high school. “Is it a boy or a girl? Oh, what about names? Have you picked them yet?”
I giggled at her excitement. We were at the house I’d just purchased with a little help from an angel named Nana Wilder. I pulled her down on the sofa beside me. “Slow down, girl. I’m only thirteen weeks!”
“These things are important!” she said excitedly, not missing a beat. “Have you picked which room will be the nursery?”
I grabbed her hand and tugged her up the stairs to the empty room right next to mine. Standing in the doorway, it really hit me. I was going to be a mom—a single mom. “Easy, you okay?” Amelia asked, brushing my hair off my face.
I sighed. “Yeah, it’s just all settling in. Ya know?”
She sobered up then and asked a question that caught me off guard. “Have you thought about what this will mean to that man out here you’ll eventually marry? What he’ll think of you already having a kid?”
I hadn’t thought about it at all, but the response fell from my lips without having to think. “Amelia,” I said, cradling my non-existent stomach. “If that man out there doesn’t love my son with all his heart, I won’t be marrying him.”
My thoughts trail off as I park at Lottie’s Little Ones and hurriedly make my way inside. I find Cam asleep, curled up with his head resting in Charlotte’s lap.
She gives me a pitying smile. “I’m sorry you had to get off work, but I think he needs to see Dave. I’m worried about him.”
I lean down and run my fingers through his hair. “What happened?”
She speaks quietly. “One minute he was runnin’ around with Steven and the next, he was runnin’ to me freakin’ out.” She chuckles. “He was worried about the blood stainin’ his shirt.”
“Oh, my poor little man.”
“Easy.” I look up at the tone of her voice. “It took a while for me to get the bleedin’ stopped. I mean, he’s a boy and a nosebleed ain’t that bad, but it was a lot of blood, and it just kept coming.” She starts to sniffle. “I didn’t know what to do. I called Dave on his cell while he was with a patient. He knew I’d never call him that way unless it was important.” The tears she’s been trying to hold back begin to spill down her cheeks.
I lean in and put my arm around her. “I’m so sorry, Charlotte. Maybe I should’ve already taken him to see David. I’ve been thinking he seemed a little off.”
“Oh, dear, you can’t blame yourself.” She immediately starts shaking her head. “He’s your son, and you know him best.”
I sniffle right along with her. “I should, but I must’ve been wrong this time. “
“No, Easy, you can’t think like that.” She pulls back and wipes the tears from my cheeks. “Just get him to Dave, and he’ll find out what it is and fix him up right away.”
Her optimistic outlook boosts my confidence, so I give her a timid nod and reach for my son’s shoulder. “Cam, sweetie, it’s Mama. Time to wake up.”
He opens his eyes, disoriented, and then focuses on my face. “Oh, hey, Mama.” He yawns. “Time to go home?”
I help him into a sitting position between Charlotte and me. “We’re going to see Dr. Logan first. Is that okay?”
He shrugs. “Sure.”
I study his face closely, and there are still slight traces of blood on the inner lining of his nostrils and dark circles have formed under his eyes. My baby definitely doesn’t feel well. Why didn’t I see this earlier?
After taking him in my arms, I stand and grab his backpack, looping the strap over my free shoulder. He props his head against my chest, causing a deep ache to fill me. I catch Charlotte’s eye and try to convey all my apologies with that one look. She gives me a slight shake of her head and stands, approaching us.
“You two be careful out in that traffic,” she warns, lifting her hand to brush along Cam’s back. “Cam, baby, Lottie will see you later, okay?”
Instead of responding, he only nods.
My chest squeezes tighter.
After Cameron’s buckled in, I begin the drive to David’s practice. Since it’s before rush hour, the traffic is lighter than I’m used to, and we make it there in less time than I expected, though Cam’s already fallen back to sleep. I carefully remove him from his seat as gently as possible and lift him to my shoulder. Even with him feeling puny, he’s still an armful.
When I brought him home from the hospital, he was just a tiny thing. His head was as bald as an eagle, and his eyes were as big as saucers. But now, three years later, he’s all long limbs with a riot of dark curls and a set of deep green eyes.
His daddy is surely one handsome man.
I enter the office, careful to jostle him as little as possible, and head to the reception window. Mrs. Sanders recognizes us immediately. “Miss Wilder, Dr. Logan said to expect you and let him know the minute you arrived. Have a seat, and I’m sure a nurse will be right out to get you.”
“No hurry, Mrs. Sanders. We’ll just wait like everybody else.” I smile.
I make my way over to a row of chairs, and just as I’m about to sit, David’s nurse, Estella, opens the door and calls, “Cameron Wilder.”
Well, so much for that. I regroup and start making my way toward her. She smiles. “Right this way.” We go down a hall I’ve been down countless times before, yet this time butterflies flit in my stomach.
After being shown to our appointed exam room, I take a seat in one of the available chairs with Cameron still sleeping on my shoulder.
We aren’t there more than five minutes before David enters in a flourish. “Easy, so glad you brought him in. Can you lay him on the exam table please?” He looks up from the file in his hands.
“Of course.” I rise, and carry him to the table, placing him down gently. He doesn’t even budge, still sleeping away. That’s so strange for my active three-year-old son.
David approaches and gives him a cursory once over before meeting my eyes. “Charlotte called in quite a tizzy today.” I nod. “Has he had a nosebleed before?”
“Once, when Ryder accidentally hit him in the face with the football, but that was understandable, I think.”
David nods, looking pensive. “No spontaneous ones then?”
I shake my head. “No, none that I can recall.”
He gently raises Cam’s arms and examines them, then does the same with his
legs. “What about these bruises?” He makes eye contact. “How often does he have these?”
I sigh. “Lately it seems that he bruises easily. By the time they finally turn yellow, the next time I look he has new purple ones.” I shake my head. “Boys.”
“How long ago did this start? The bruising,” he clarifies.
I rack my brain trying to come up with an answer. He’s a boy, so he does get bumps and bruises, but it has been more so recently than usual. “I’m not exactly sure, David. He always has bruises. He’s a growing boy, but lately, it seems to have gotten excessive. Maybe the past couple of months.”
Cam opens his eyes and looks around the room, before landing on David. “Hey, Dr. Logan,” he says as he sits up. ”Mama said we come see you.”
David smiles, and it’s so genuine that a wave of calmness moves over me. “You sure did, buddy. How are you feeling?”
Cameron shrugs. “I okay. Can I have a sucker today?”
David chuckles and ruffles his hair. “You sure can, but after I’m done looking you over. Okay?”
“Okay,” Cameron answers.
David pulls out his stethoscope and listens to his breathing and heart before doing a routine exam; checking his reflexes, pupils and temperature. When that’s all done, he hangs his stethoscope around his neck and sighs, looking to me. “Easy, everything appears normal, but I’d feel better if we ran a few tests.”
“What kind of tests?” I twist my hands together in nervous anticipation. Tests make me worried that it’s something more.
“I’ll take a few vials of blood and send them to Metro University Pediatric for testing. It could be something as simple as an iron deficiency. I’ll go over and run the labs myself if I have to in order to get them back as soon as I possibly can.” He reaches over and gives my knee a squeeze. “I don’t want you to worry right now.”
I take a deep breath and release the tension I’ve been holding onto, then place my hand on his and look him straight in the eyes. “Thank you, David. I’m definitely going to worry, but I trust you’ll be as thorough as ever.”
He pulls his hand back and stands, eyeing Cameron. “Always,” he says sincerely, then tilts his head at Cam. “He’ll take his cues from you, so let’s assume there’s nothing wrong if and until we know differently.”
