Page 122 of Trusting You

“We’ve done what we could, and all signs are pointing to yes,” Dr. Hurwitz says. “He’s awake. Bruised and weak, but alert. You can go down and visit him.”

I glance down at Lily.

“I’m afraid she’ll have to stay up here. Babies in the ICU…well, you can see the obvious there.”

I’m torn to shreds between leaving this vulnerable little girl in a hospital crib and making sure Locke is okay. Before, when I hated Locke, the choice would have been easy. But now, with all we’ve shared and the very close chance of losing him, I simply don’t know what to do.

The same nurse that assured me before walks in while Dr. Hurwitz is discussing my options.

She says, with much better communication skills than the doctor, “How about you wait until she falls asleep, honey, then sneak downstairs. I promise I’ll watch her like a hawk.”

Lily seems to like Nurse Avery, because every time she bends down to listen to Lily’s heart, Lily’s taken with the color of her pink scrubs and yellow duckies printed all over.

I squeeze Lily, then say, “Thank you. That sounds like a great idea.”

“It’s settled then.” Nurse Avery winks at me, then makes herself busy in the room. Dr. Hurwitz nods his good-bye before departing.

Within the next twenty minutes, Lily’s eyelids are getting heavy again. She’s not used to the constant wakings and is getting crankier each time it happens. Part of me is secretly grateful I’ll miss the next one, now that there’s relief she’s perfectly healthy.

When Lily starts her light snores, I lay her down gently, whispering another thank you and good-bye to Nurse Avery, then begin the short walk into another unknown.