I was sick of being in the hospital. It had been four days since my heart attack and I was doing well. No permanent damage, they told me.
Beth had opened her home to Sam and Annie. Annie and Beth came to see me every day. Sam popped in a few times. Even Maddie and Beth’s mom came to see me. But the visits couldn’t keep me from going stir-crazy.
“Hey there.” Beth stuck her head in the door. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
My crappy mood lightened. “Well, come in here and give it to me. I could use a surprise.”
“Are you sure your heart is strong enough for a big surprise?” My mind went immediately to sex. It had definitely been too long. But seeing I was still in the hospital I didn’t think that was what Beth had in mind.
“I’m sure. What it is?”
She let the door close for a second. I couldn’t imagine what the surprise could be. She stepped back in, but the only thing she had was her iPhone. “Hold on. Let me get the video recording.” She fiddled with her phone. “Okay, got it.” She pointed the camera at me.
“What are you doing? I look like crap.”
“You look beautiful,” she said to me. “Okay, bring the surprise in,” she said louder.
The door opened and in walked Andrew, dressed in camo fatigues with his duffel bag flung over his shoulder. “Hi, Mom.”
Tears flooded my eyes. “Andrew. Oh my God. Andrew.” I put my arms out to him. He dropped his duffel bag and came into my arms. I held him as tight as I could. My boy had become a man.
He sat on the edge of the bed. It was so good to see him. I had been so wrapped up in all the surgeries and treatment that I didn’t realize how much I had missed him and Annie.
Beth slipped her phone back in her pocket. “Want me to give you some alone time?”
“No. It’s fine,” I told her.
“Stay,” Andrew said. “How are you doing?” he asked me.
Beth sat in the reclining chair in the corner.
“I’m doing good. Cancer free.”
“How long do you have to stay in the hospital?”
“I don’t know. Not too much longer I hope. The doctor should be coming around soon. I plan on begging him to let me leave.” I couldn’t believe he was sitting here with me. He had been across the world a few days ago.
“How was your trip?” Beth asked him.
He turned so he could answer her. “It was okay. Part cargo plane, part airliner. It was just mostly long.”
“I can imagine,” she said.
The door flung open and Annie strutted in. “Andrew!” she said and flung herself at him. He caught her in his arms and stood to hug her. “When did you get here?”
“Just a little bit ago. How ya doing, kiddo?”
“Great.”
Beth stood. “I’ll go. So you can have your kids.”
“Please stay,” I said.
“Yes. Don’t go.” Annie crossed over to her and gave her a hug.
“They have rules,” she said to Annie.
“The hell with the rules,” I said. “I want my whole family to be here with me. And you are all my family. Andrew, there are chairs in the hallway. Would you mind getting one, please?”
“Sure.” He disappeared for a few seconds and returned with a chair. In his absence, Annie climbed up on the bed with me. I moved over so she could stretch her legs out. Andrew set the chair next to Beth and sat down.
“Nice haircut,” Annie said to Andrew. He ran his hand over his buzz cut. “How long can you stay?”
“The good news is I don’t have to go back to Japan. My stint was over at the end of this month anyway, so they said I didn’t have to go back. I’ll be stationed in Wilkes-Barre for a year.”
“Where the heck is that?” Annie asked.
I couldn’t contain my smile. “It’s in Pennsylvania, Annie. Less than four hours away.”
“Yep. Close enough to come home for holidays.” Andrew said.
“Knock, knock.” Dr. Daniels pushed the door open and stuck his head in. If he noticed that we had one extra person in the room, he didn’t say anything. “Ready to go home, Jodi?”
“Are you kidding me?” I responded.
“Would I joke about something like that? I’m guessing you’re getting sick of the room service around here. I went over your chart on the computer and everything is looking good. I’ve signed the paperwork, and someone will be around shortly to go over everything with you.”
“Wow. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you. Your recovery has been great for my professional reputation.”
“Glad I could help.”
“I expect to see you in my office within the next couple of weeks.”
“I’ll make sure of it,” Beth said.
It was another hour before the nurse came in with my discharge papers, prescription, and my instructions for home. Beth went to get the car and I changed into real clothes and was wheeled down to the main entrance followed by Annie and Andrew.
Andrew opened the passenger side door and helped me in. He and Annie jumped in the back.
Beth rubbed my knee. “Ready, honey?”
I was. I was ready to begin my life anew. I had the love of my life next to me, my two children in the back seat, and I was heading home. Absolutely nothing could have been better.