Despite promising herself she would face Lincoln’s mistress with strength and dignity, feelings of panic immediately engulfed her like a rising tide, wave after wave coming so fast that Ava struggled to breathe.
From the look on Mia’s face, she experienced something similar. “Hello, Ava,” she said, the color lifting from her dark complexion. Her fingers were trembling.
What seemed like an eternity passed as they stood there staring. In actuality, only a second or two ticked away before Ava turned to her. “Mia.”
She’d wanted to say more. The words wouldn’t come.
What did come was a wave of unexpected resentment. She had worked so hard to move past Lincoln’s betrayal and had purposed to live with joy…to embrace peace and not let the actions of others pull her under.
This was still her intent. Ava had not expected her emotions to betray her.
She dropped her gaze and stared at her own shoes, wishing she was anywhere but standing next to her husband’s mistress with the heaviness of betrayal robbing the air of oxygen.
The elevator chugged upward, taking its sweet time arriving on the fifth floor. Eventually, a ding sounded and the doors slid open.
Ava hung back and let Mia exit first. She then followed.
They immediately stepped into the surgical waiting room, a bright and cheery area with windows providing views of tall swaying palms and gardens filled with colorful flowers. According to the internet, the hospital had recently undergone a renovation funded by an anonymous donor, someone who obviously had substantial assets…and generosity.
In order to escape the tension, Ava focused on the décor: modern with lots of woods and sectional sofas with bright green fabric. Vending machines had been replaced with an extensive coffee bar lined with Keurig machines and bowls filled with individually-wrapped granola bars, bags of nuts and fresh fruit. A pretty box with a slit on top was there for donations.
Across the room stood Elta and Ori. As Mia approached, they gave her tight hugs. Ava so wanted to go over and ask Elta for recent news. She held back wanting to give them a moment. Of course, she wasn’t anxious to be near Mia if she didn’t have to be.
Some people she recognized from Wailea Chapel were talking near the windows. She greeted them with a little wave. It was really nice that they had come to support their pastor and his family.
Ava went and got herself a cup of coffee and shoved a couple of bills in the little box. Before she could turn, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find Elta beside her.
“I know this is hard for you, Ava,” he said softly, pointing out the obvious. Hard didn’t begin to cover her emotions. His daughter’s presence was excruciating.
Even so, she pushed her own feelings aside and drew him into a hug. This man meant the world to her. “How’s Alani? I’m anxious to see her.” She offered him the coffee she’d just made. “Any news from the medical team this morning?”
He took the coffee. “The surgery is still scheduled for early afternoon. She had lab tests done last night and more this morning. They hooked her up to an IV and she was told the surgeon would be in to talk to us right after he finished up his morning scheduled procedures. In fact, I should get back. I just wanted to…” He let his voice drift off.
Of course, he wanted to come out and greet his daughter. Mia had been gone for nearly a year.
He grabbed her hand. “I know the difficulties all this presents, but would you please go back with us? Alani was asking for you this morning.”
Ava’s will softened. “Of course, I’ll do anything for Alani. Anything at all.”
It hit her then that the one thing most important before her…the one action that would most benefit her best friend this morning would be for Ava to set aside her own hurts and at least be kind to her daughter.
Ava lifted her chin. It would be terribly hard, but she could do that.
For Alani.
With that determination tucked inside, Ava followed her best friend’s family through the doors leading to the patient rooms, down the shiny floors and past a busy nurses’ station.
Elta stopped in front of a closed door. “This is it,” he reported. He turned to Mia. “Your mom is very anxious to see you, sweetheart.”
Mia teared up causing her brother to take her hand. “We’re glad you’re here,” Ori told her.
The tender exchange brought a tiny smile to Ava’s lips. Despite the events of last year, this family was like her own. Ori and Mia had been raised alongside her own children. She couldn’t imagine it, but if Christel had done what Mia had, she knew Alani’s faith would help her forgo her own feelings and do everything in her power to offer redemption. It’s what she adored about Alani.
It was at that moment that a tiny prayer went up, a bargain of sorts with her maker.
Don’t take Alani from me and I will forgive her daughter…of even that.