Acceptance

“I’ll leave you two alone while I prepare the discharge papers,” says the doctor. He turns and quietly exits the room, leaving us alone.

“Mom,” I say as I prepare to get out of bed and get dressed. “Can you hand me your cell phone, please?”

“Like…”

“I’m fine…” I insist before she can say anything else. “Just hand me the phone... I need to make a call.”

“Liam!” Dylan exclaims happily when he picks up. “How are you…?”

“Can you come to my house?” I cut him off, barely able to say the words without losing my composure. “I need you to come as soon as possible…”

“What happened?” His tone changes. I can hear the worry in his voice.

“You… just come… please…”

“Of course. Give me an hour. I’ll finish up a couple of things here, put on my shoes, and head to your house,” he says, no questions asked.

“Thank you…” I say in one breath. “And, Dylan…”

“Yeah?” His tone shifts to that pleasant, comforting tone he always uses.

“N...nothing,” I manage to say, unable to tell him the truth just yet.