Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
THE DINNER
I waited beside my father, willing him to wake up. He looked beaten up. I hated seeing him like this. The room they had put us in was overcrowded. Over six other patients were here with us. Thankfully, we were situated in a corner by the window.
“Addie?” I faintly heard. I rose up from my seat and stood over him.
“Daddy?” I whispered.
“Addie? What happened?” His voice was parched and sounded hoarse. I pressed the call button for the nurse who never showed. I was hoping to buy some time, but I guess I wouldn’t get it.
“Daddy, you fell unconscious outside of the house. The neighbors called 911 and you were brought to the hospital,” I said slowly. He nodded his head like he understood.
“Why am I like this?” he asked, trying to move but I stopped him.
“You needed…surgery. The Crohn’s had gotten worse and the doctors said there was no other alternative,” I said meekly.
“What?” he tried to scream.
“Dad, please calm down,” I said as I looked over as his heart monitor began to beep.
“What did you do, Addie?” he asked, frightened as he looked around. The nurse finally showed up and looked at his heart monitor.
“Hello, Mr. Sakis, you’ve been asleep for a while,” she said sweetly. “Dr. Cohen will be with you shortly.” She turned and nodded at me.
“Addie?” He looked over at me.
“Daddy, I had no choice. The doctor said you should be better now,” I said quietly.
The doctor came in with a few residents. He spoke about the patient and then called out to my father. My father barely understood what was happening.
“Mr. Sakis, your daughter did the right thing. You needed that surgery. Your doctor mustn’t have seen how far your Crohn’s had escalated.” He proceeded to explain everything in detail to my father. I watched as he went through various stages of anger and sadness, at the end his face looked sullen when the doctor left.
“Daddy, do you need anything?” I asked.
“I want you to leave for now,” he said without looking at me. My heart sunk low into my belly as I watched him. He was blaming me for all this.
“Okay, Daddy, I’ll be outside if you need anything. Just let me know.” I let out a breath and slowly made my way out of our crowded room. I turned the corner and braced myself on the wall.
“Addie.” I ignored Daimon, hoping he’d go away. He sighed heavily and walked over to me. All I could see were his shoes as I stared at the floor in front of me. I wiped my tears away and sniffled. He growled low in chest. “I hear your father is awake,” he said curtly, I didn’t bother to answer him. I saw two orderlies pass me by and walk into the room. “Addie, at least look at me,” Daimon hissed. I finally mustered up the strength and looked up. I could barely see him through my blurry vision. He sighed heavily and reached up with his hand to wipe my fallen tears away. I jerked my head and stared off to where the nurses were. The two orderlies I saw before were now wheeling my father out.
“What else are you doing to me, Addie?” my father accused.
“Where are you taking him?” I asked in a panic.
“Don’t worry, Addie. I paid for a private room for your father,” Daimon said behind me. I turned and looked him. He half-smiled.
“Why?” I asked. He shrugged. “Oh stupid me, I forgot,” I said sarcastically. How could I forget my deal with the devil? I left Daimon as I followed my father to the elevator.
“I did it for you,” Daimon huffed as he came with us.
My father didn’t bother to acknowledge either one of us as he finally reached his room. Everything looked new and sleek. The hospital bed was tailor made with brown and blue linens. The room was much like a hotel, with a large flat screen TV mounted high on the wall. Three large windows overlooked the parking below. A large, wooden round table with three comfortable chairs was off to the side. Ceramic tiles, which mimicked wood, lined the floor. I looked around to see the bathroom door was open; it was larger than the one we had at home, with a walk-in shower and various showerheads. Dark wooden accent furniture and a large leather couch finished off the room. I chuckled to myself as I was left in wonderment. This room was drastically different from where my father was before. I would never be able to afford something like this for him. I laughed. I guess completely selling myself to Daimon meant I could finally take care of my family now.
A nurse was right there waiting for him to come in. She held his chart in one hand and greeted my father, telling him she would be available for whatever he needed.