Chapter 11 - Surgery
Elodie underwent surgical repair seven weeks later.
Not an emergency operation the next day.
She stabilized.
Went home temporarily with activity limits.
Follow-up.
Then returned for planned surgery at a pediatric cardiac center.
The surgeons repaired the sinus venosus defect and redirected the anomalous pulmonary venous return appropriately.
I learned enough anatomy to frighten myself.
Then stopped reading at midnight.
The operation lasted hours.
I sat in waiting room.
Without Bernice.
That mattered.
Part of me wanted her there.
I hated that.
She had been beside me through Catherine’s surgery after the crash.
Old reflex.
I called my friend Marcus instead.
He brought coffee.
Said almost nothing.
Perfect.
Surgery went well.
Elodie went to cardiac ICU.
Tubes.
Monitors.
Terrifying.
But expected.
When she woke, she whispered:
“Button.”
I gave rabbit.
Then:
“Grandma?”
I froze.
“What about her?”
“Does she know?”
“Yes.”
“Is she mad?”
“No.”
I did not know.
But I knew this:
“You don’t have to worry about Grandma right now.”
Elodie closed eyes.
“Good.”
May you like
That answer told me more about their relationship than any family argument.
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