Page 111 of Finding Hayes
The people you loved were all that mattered.
So, we got down to business. They took endless amounts of blood and ran a ton of tests over the next few days.
They wanted every single number to be current so we’d know exactly where he was starting.
Where his baseline was.
We’d been warned that things would get worse before they got better.
Dad would be here at the hospital, while Nadia and I spent our days here and our evenings at the apartment.
Nadia would stay here full-time with my father, and I’d be going back and forth to Magnolia Falls. Hayes wanted to come here, and eventually, we’d figure out a schedule, but right now, he was needed at home, and I was needed here.
I was going to roll with whatever we needed to do.
The next few days had been grueling on my father. I’d fallen into a routine, and I appreciated that I could be here to see how all of this worked. That I could ask questions and take notes and be present when my father needed me most.
I couldn’t believe that it was already dark again. The days were blurring together. I hadn’t eaten much today, as my focus had been on my father.
Nadia went to the cafeteria to get us a couple of sandwiches, and Dr. Dorsey pulled me outside of the room to tell me the plan for the next several days.
There were a few more tests to do, and then they’d start his treatment slowly to see how he responded, and then amp it up if all went well.
“I’m going to have the nurse draw your blood this week, as well,” he said as he jotted something down on his chart.
“Myblood?”
He looked up, surprised by the question. “You’re his only child. It’s not common that children of parents with the disease have it, but as a safety precaution, I’d like to rule it out.”
A heaviness settled on my chest at his words, because the thought of both of us having this disease was terrifying. My life had finally just started. I needed to be strong for my father. Be there for Hayes. Start my business.
Live my life.
But I nodded, because what choice did I have? “Okay, sure.”
Nadia and I ate as my father started to doze off. She wanted to stay late and read her book beside him, so she gave me the keys to the apartment, as I wanted to call Hayes and speak to him. I’d missed several calls from him today, and we were used to speaking throughout the day.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, as he answered the phone. “How did today go?”
“It went pretty well. He’s almost done with all the tests, and they may start treatment tomorrow or the next day. He looks really thin, and he’s definitely tired,” I said, as I walked across the enclosed bridgeway to the small apartments where familymembers stayed.
“Well, that’s why he’s there. He needs the treatment, and they can help him. Don’t let the way he looks now scare you. It’s just proof that he’s where he needs to be.”
I pushed inside the apartment, dropping to sit on the small pull-out couch. I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I know.”
The words sounded like more of a squeak than actual words.
My phone rang while I was holding it to my ear, and I saw the FaceTime call from Hayes and answered it.
“Hey,” I whispered, swiping at the tears.
“Hey, Sav.” He smiled, and I didn’t miss the concern in his eyes. “I wanted to see your face. You’re not alone, okay? I’m here.”
“I know you are. I’m fine. I just—he looks bad. And I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. He’s going to be okay. He’s fighting the fight. That’s all you can ask for.”
Something about seeing his face calmed me. “Yeah. You’re right. It was just a long day.”
