“Mom, there’s something wrong with my heart. The doctors say I need surgery right away. Please. I’m so scared.”
It was 9:40 on a Tuesday night. I was standing at the kitchen sink with my hands in dishwater when my phone buzzed on the counter. I almost let it go to voicemail. Then I saw Emily’s name.
She was sobbing so hard I could barely understand her.
“Emily. Emily, slow down. Breathe. What happened?”
“I’ve been feeling sick for weeks. Dizzy. My chest keeps hurting. I went to a clinic and they did tests and—” She broke off, gasping. “They said it’s serious, Mom. They said it can’t wait.”
I turned off the water. I didn’t even dry my hands.
“Where are you?”
“A private clinic. Near campus. Westbrook Surgical. They’re doing it first thing in the morning.”
“Tomorrow morning? Why so fast? Shouldn’t you get a second opinion? Shouldn’t you be at the university hospital?”
“Mom, they said it can’t wait.” Her voice cracked. “And it’s twenty-four thousand dollars. I paid the deposit already. I just— I need help with the rest.”
Twenty-four thousand dollars.
I didn’t even think about the number. Not then. All I heard was heart and surgery and scared.
“I’m coming,” I said. “Right now. I’m getting in the car.”
“You don’t have to drive tonight—”
“Emily. I’m coming.”
She cried harder. “Okay. Okay. Thank you, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you too, baby. Hold on. I’ll be there before you wake up.”
