My Forever Valentine

by Melody Heck Gatto

  If that was what she needed to do, she’d do it. Harley wanted to fight for him, and she wasn’t one to back down. The only thing she wanted was Spencer.

  She entered the bakery not far from the cafe and ordered a coffee and a cupcake. Sitting down at a table, she felt motivated to fight for Spencer, and she became lost in her thoughts of how exactly she was going to make that happen. Now she just needed an opportunity.

  Chapter Sixteen

  SPENCER

  Spencer sat in his car, watching the minutes of his lunch hour tick down. He took another sip of the sub-par coffee he’d bought across town and immediately missed the campus coffee shop. His thoughts, as always, wandered back to Harley.

  Even though his mom thought he should face Harley and talk things out, he wasn’t ready. He was still too hurt. And that’s why he went out of his way to go across town to a coffee shop that he didn’t even like. Their coffee was bitter and weak. But, the upside, Harley wasn’t there.

  As he popped the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth, a song started to play on the radio. It was Harley’s favorite band. Quickly turning the station, he grabbed his cell phone. Maybe his mom was right and it was time. He pulled up Harley’s contact information but didn’t know what to say. He stared at the blank text with her name at the top.

  His phone began to buzz in his hand, and a message appeared at the top of the screen. It was a text from his mom, and it simply said 911.

  When Spencer moved away to college, they made a code that if there was ever an emergency at home, she would simply text him 911 and he would call her. That way she didn’t have to try to text a long message, and she could attend to whatever had happened, knowing he would call her back right away.

  And this was the first time she ever used it.

  His hands began to shake as he called his mom, while his mind raced with possibilities of what terrible thing could have happened while he was sitting here drinking his coffee, pining over Harley.

  His mom answered, with not even a hello. “Spencer, it’s Dad. Your father had a heart attack.”

  “Mom? Is he—”

  “No!” Her voice was high pitched and rushed, and he could hear the fear in her words. When she spoke again, she sounded a little calmer, but he could tell she had been crying. “No. Hon, they’re working on him now.”

  “Are you already at the hospital?” He put his SUV in gear and began to drive to his apartment.

  “Yes.” Her voice waivered. “Second floor, cardiac waiting room.”

  “I’ll call Zane, grab some clothes, and we’ll be there as soon as we can.”

  “Spencer?”

  “Yes, Mom?”

  “I love you, dear. Please drive carefully.”

  He couldn’t remember the last time his mom had sounded so helpless. It left him unsettled and scared. But he had to be strong and be there for her. Even though he was trembling as he held the wheel.

  Hitting the button on his car phone, because he was driving, he dialed Zane.

  His cousin’s airy voice filled the vehicle. “Hey, Spence.”

  “Z, it’s my dad. He had a heart attack. We have to meet Mom at the hospital.” His words all ran together. “Meet me at the apartment. Can you be there in ten minutes?”

  “Absolutely. See you there.”

  The call ended just as Spencer pulled up to their apartment.

  He hurried inside and grabbed enough clothes for a few days for them both. He texted Ricky at work, briefly explaining what had happened and that he would not be coming back from lunch, or for a few days.

  SPENCER’S PARENTS DIDN’T live far away, a half hour at the most, but it felt like hours to get to the hospital. Zane had checked in with his mom while they were driving, but there was no news.

  Walking into the hospital was a blur. Spencer barely remembered following Zane to where his mom was waiting. He only remembered hugging her, holding back his own tears, and now sitting here.

  They sat in a big waiting room that looked more like a sterile lounge. Everything was white, and it was large enough that each family could be spaced apart, which was nice.

  A few nurses approached them, asking if they needed anything such as water or coffee, and he dismissed each one. He only desired two things, and neither was something they could help him with.

  He wanted his dad healthy and home. And he wanted Harley back.

  While Spencer sat with his mom, Zane moved to a quiet corner to call Lily. Spencer didn’t ask his cousin if he would tell Harley, but he figured Lily would tell her.

  There was little to talk about besides the situation at hand. Eventually, he and his mom simply sat in silence while Zane was on the phone. What was left to say? They were both worried about his dad, and small talk was simply a way to cover up their fears. Quiet seemed like the best thing for now.

  Looking over at Zane on the phone with Lily, he was jealous. Zane had someone to run to for support or just a kind word. Someone to comfort him.

  The minutes went by slowly. Each one felt like hours that they sat waiting for someone to come update them.

  His mom took the occasional call, telling the loved one on the other end that there was no news yet. Each time she would hang up, take a deep breath, and put on a fake smile. Even now she was looking out for him.

  But it was time for him to be there for her. Spencer switched seats so he was sitting right beside his mom. He took her hand and attempted a half smile. “He’ll be okay, Mom.”

  “I know, dear. If something were wrong, I would feel it.” She motioned to her heart.

  “Hey guys,” Zane said, as he rejoined them. “Any news?”

  “No dear.” Spencer’s mom shook her head sweetly. “Nothing yet.”

  “Well,”—Zane wrung his hands together—“I’m sure Uncle Eddie is going to be fine. He has to be.”

  Zane’s words hit Spencer in the gut. His dad was all Z had, too. It wasn’t fair that he was on the brink of losing another father.

  Spencer nodded in agreement with his cousin.

  As much as he wanted to get up for a cup of coffee, his body felt numb, and he wasn’t sure his legs would support him.

  He could only watch his mother intently, trying to anticipate her every need. She looked unusually frail sitting there in the pale waiting room, highlighted by the harsh florescent lights.

  Spencer’s attention was drawn to the nurse who had entered the waiting area. She obviously wasn’t there for them, as she proceeded to a desk in the back. But Spencer’s patience was wearing thin, and he needed answers, if not for him, then for his poor mother— the woman didn’t have a nasty bone in her body, so she wouldn’t be pressing anyone for information, no matter how long they sat there.

  He hurried to the desk, startling the nurse, as she jumped at his voice.

  “Excuse me, but is my dad out of surgery?”

  The nurse looked back at him with confusion. “His name?”

  “Edward Wilson.”

  She didn’t have a chance to answer, because a woman with a clipboard entered, and called, “Mrs. Wilson?” The woman looked around the waiting room expectantly.

  Once Spencer’s mother raised her hand, the woman focused on her. “Hi, I’m the hospital social worker. I just wanted to give you an update.”

  Spencer listened as he returned to his mother’s side.

  “Is my dad out of surgery?” Spencer asked.

  The social worker smiled at him with concern on her face. “I know this all must be confusing. When they brought Mr. Wilson in—the paramedics had already alerted us that he needed to be rushed to the cath lab— the staff had to act quickly. They found the blockage, which the doctor can talk to you more about, and were able to open the artery.”

  “So, no open-heart surgery?” Zane asked.

  “No.” The social worker shook her head. “If you can just sit tight a little while longer, they are moving Mr. Wilson into a room in the cardiac care unit. The doctor will be down to explain a little m
ore about the procedure, and at that point he will take you to Mr. Wilson’s room. Can I get you anything while you wait?”

  Spencer was so tired of the nurses and social workers acting like hostesses. He didn’t want a coffee, or a pop, or a buffet dinner. He simply wanted to see —with his own eyes— that his dad was okay.

  It felt like another hour before anyone else approached them. Families came and went from the sitting area, and afternoon talk shows played on the lounge television.

  Eventually, a man in a white coat stepped out of the elevator. “Mrs. Wilson?”

  His mother nodded and squeaked out a “Yes?” her voice horse and weak now. It had already been a very long and emotional day.

  Spencer wrapped his arm around his mother, as the doctor spoke.

  “Hello. I know it has been a difficult afternoon for you all. I am Doctor Murphy. I oversaw the heart catherization. When they brought Mr. Wilson in—the paramedics had already alerted us that he needed to be rushed to the cath lab—the staff had to act quickly, and we had everything ready for when they arrived. That quick acting may have saved his life.”

  His mother let out a little gasp, which had Spencer holding her a little tighter.

  Dr. Murphy continued, “We found the blockage and were able to open the artery. The left anterior descending artery was blocked one hundred percent. And I credit the EMTs and the hospital staff for their swift actions.”

  “But I don’t understand,” Spencer said, his words quick and pointed. “A heart catherization and not open-heart surgery? Isn’t the heart catherization what you do to see if there’s a blockage?”

  The doctor nodded compassionately and replied, “You are absolutely right. We do a heart catherization to see where the blockage is, and then decide if a stent or a bypass is needed. Surgery is done when there are more than three areas that need stented, or if there are multiple arteries over seventy percent blocked. In your father’s case, the artery that needed our immediate attention was one hundred percent blocked, and we were able to open it and put in a stent. I know it’s confusing. Everything was done in the cath lab, and he did very well during the procedure; he was awake and alert during it. I can give you some papers to read over tonight to help explain a little more about the procedure. But for now, would you like to follow me, and I’ll take you up to his room?”

  Spencer was numb from head to toe and everything the doctor had just said was lost on him. He could’ve been speaking another language for all he knew. The only thing he was sure about was they were being led to see his Dad finally.

  THEY WERE LED TO A second waiting area, this time on the same floor as the patient rooms. It felt like they had sat in the new waiting area forever before anyone came to get them.

  “Mrs. Wilson? You can follow me back to your husband’s room now,” a nurse called from the security doors.

  Spencer stood up to go with his mom.

  “I’m sorry, just Mrs. Wilson,” the nurse said abruptly. “I’ll come get you in a few minutes.”

  Spencer looked from the unapologetic nurse to his mom. Anger bubbled in his chest. That was his dad back there. Didn’t the nurse realize how badly he needed to see his dad with his own eyes? And what about his mom? He should be there to support her.

  He wanted to speak up, but he was tired and stressed, and he feared the words may not come out very nicely. But the fact remained that he should be allowed back there. Instead, he just looked to his mom for direction. Suddenly he felt like a little boy. He had never felt this helpless. But he wasn’t a child. He needed to be strong for her.

  “Dear, it’s fine. You boys keep each other company until the nurse brings you back.” She nodded then disappeared down the hallway.

  “Spence, you good?” Zane asked, as he sat back down.

  “Yeah. How are you hanging in there?” He was brooding, and he knew it. But he couldn’t help it.

  Zane nodded. “I’m okay. I’m sure we’ll be able to go back in a few minutes. They probably just want to give your mom a few moments alone with your dad.”

  Spencer nodded. He knew that was probably the case, but he didn’t have to like it.

  Once it was their turn to see his dad. Spencer was surprisingly hesitant to enter the CCU room, with all the machines beeping and surrounding his dad. His dad was lying flat in the hospital bed, hooked up to various monitors. His right arm was wrapped up and bandaged. He looked so small in the bed, but he was alert, just as the social worker had said. Everything had happened so fast that Spencer didn’t know what he expected to see, but this wasn’t it.

  “Dad?”

  His dad attempted to wave. His voice was weak, and he looked very tired. But he still greeted everyone as if they were walking into his house. “Spence. Hey, son.”

  Spencer forced a smile, but the lump in his throat made it difficult to speak. His feet felt like they were glued to the floor and his legs were numb.

  When he didn’t move towards his dad’s bed, Zane did instead.

  “Uncle Eddie. How are you feeling?”

  “Nice to see you, Zane. You boys really didn’t have to come all the way out here for me. But I’m glad you’re here. Right now, I’m feeling all right. I know it might look bad, but I really feel okay. Not in any pain or discomfort.” His movements were uncoordinated as he raised his arm that was hooked up to wires. “They tell me it was what they call the widow maker. Blocked one hundred percent. But they went in and broke up the blockage and put in a stent to keep the artery open.” Trying to move his arm again he added, “They put in a stent. Went in through my right arm. Imagine that. They can do that nowadays. I guess it’s closer to the heart anyways.”

  Not uncharacteristically for his dad, he seemed proud that he’d survived such a horrendous emergency. And the doctor had said he was lucky that they were able to work on him right away.

  He looked normal, just uncomfortable hooked up to the machines. Intimidating wasn’t even the word to describe all the wires and beeping.

  “Spencer, son, don’t worry. I’m okay. I’m not in any pain.” His dad nodded. He always could read Spencer’s mind.

  “You look better than I expected you to,” Zane said.

  His dad lightly chuckled. “I’m not sure whether to take that as a compliment or not.”

  “It is, Uncle Eddie. You scared us today.”

  “I know, I know. I scared me, too. But I am glad you boys were there for Mom.” His dad grabbed her hand again.

  Spencer found his voice. “Of course. Always.”

  The nurse who’d been quietly working at a station in the hall, came over to them. “Hi, I’m Sally. I’ll be the nurse on shift this afternoon.” She looked at his chart. “I see here you’ve had a big day, Mr. Wilson.” The nurse smiled sweetly at him.

  “Does it say in there that I survived the widow maker? Not even that can take me out,” Mr. Wilson said proudly.

  Spencer winced at his dad’s words. He wasn’t ready to hear that, but was sure his dad would find a way to work it into conversation a few more times.

  “Yes, I do see that, Mr. Wilson.” The nurse smiled and looked towards the door. “Try to get some rest, and I’ll check back in a little bit.”

  “Do you know when I can go home?” his dad asked the nurse. He added hopefully, “Maybe tomorrow?”

  Spencer shook his head, but he wasn’t surprised. His dad had no time for sitting around a hospital. If he had his way, he’d be heading home right now.

  The nurse looked down her nose at him, her expression full of amusement. “I can promise you that it won’t be tomorrow, Mr. Wilson. But we can ask the doctor tomorrow what he thinks. However, tonight you need to rest. Let your body heal.”

  Zane’s phone buzzed. Looking at his phone, he smiled. “I’ll be right back. I need to take this.” Zane hurried into the hallway.

  “I’m sure it’s Lily,” Spencer’s mom added.

  He sat down in a chair across the room, noting how uncomfortable it actually was. His mom was
sitting next to the hospital bed, holding his dad’s hand. The love between his parents was hard to miss. Every nurse that entered the room smiled at them.

  That was the kind of relationship Spencer hoped to find.

  That was the relationship he’d had with Harley.

  Instead, he sat here alone. His parents had one another, and Zane was on the phone with Lily.

  Thoughts of Harley filled his mind. She could’ve been the one. But now he’d never know. He missed her.

  Chapter Seventeen

  HARLEY

  After a long afternoon of classes, Harley was exhausted, mentally and physically. Her brain actually hurt. Was that even a thing? And she still had to work at the bookstore this afternoon.

  She dragged herself into the coffee shop near campus. This had become her and Spencer’s “place,” and every time she walked into the café, a small part of her hoped that he would be here looking for her. A search of the dining room told her there was no such luck. He wasn’t here, not that she really expected him to be. With a sigh, she looked down to her wrist, at the diamond bracelet that Spence had bought her for Christmas, and her heart ached. She missed him so much.

  Harley ordered her coffee and found a quiet table in the corner. She still had a paper to finish for class tomorrow. Opening her laptop, she took a long sip of the hot coffee, and took a moment to breathe in the chocolate aroma of her Café Mocha.

  She had no desire for her normal vanilla flavored coffee, not since things had gone south with Spence. The taste, even the smell, reminded her too much of him.

  Looking over her notes, she began to type her paper. The sooner she got to work, the quicker it would be done. Harley never minded school work, especially papers, but with her mind elsewhere, she was in no mood to deal with busy work. She was halfway finished before she had to take a break. The words blurred and floated before her eyes, as she finished her coffee. Lazily ordering a second coffee on her app, she continued to type until the barista called her name that the drink was ready.