My mind is wandering like a lost puppy around town. It goes in circles. One minute I’m working and the next I’m thinking of Gabby. Thinking of that phone conversation and how I think she can tell that something is wrong. I wonder if it’s just me and knowing that I am carrying this burden, this secret. Then I wonder if it’s her. Maybe there is something more going on with her that I haven’t figured out yet despite her reassurance.
I shake my head, toss my pen across the desk, and turn in the chair to look out of the floor to ceiling windows. I watch as people walk around the streets and carry on their lives. I realize as I watch them, that it’s me keeping this huge secret from her. I’ve tried to reassure and justify to myself that, like Sam says, the truth would shatter her. I’ve tried to tell myself that I’m doing the right thing, but if that was really the truth, this gnawing wouldn’t be eating me alive. I know I have to find a way to tell her, but I don’t know how to even begin that conversation.
I will have to talk to Sam. There is no way that I can keep this from her. It’s not even been twenty-four hours and I can’t stand myself. Maybe it’s because of all the crap that I’ve been through with my father’s secrets. I have made it my life’s mission to make sure that I don’t operate like that. I love Gabby, and the last thing I want to do is upset her, destroy her, crumble her, but I also can’t sacrifice myself for her sake. That does neither one of us any good.
I turn and pick up my cell phone. Right as I am looking up Sam’s phone number, the hospital number shows up on the caller ID as the phone starts to ring. My heart drops into the floor. That can only mean one thing. I swipe. “This is Bradley Banks.”
“Mr. Banks. I’m a nurse at Emory. We have you listed as Ms. Veronica Johnson’s emergency contact.”
“Right. What’s going on?” I can barely breathe. I don’t know what to make of this.
“There have been some complications.” With the word complications, I immediately grab my coat from the back of my chair and dig my keys out of my pocket and start to walk towards the door. “They are prepping her for an emergency Caesarian section. We would recommend that you get to the hospital as soon as possible.”
“I’m already on my way. Are they okay?” I swing the door open and mouth to Sharon that I’ll call her before rushing down to my car.
“I can’t tell you anything other than this about their condition. Please drive safely.”
What the hell? I can’t stand it when people open a can of worms and give you enough information to know there is something wrong and then close it to then leave your mind to wander to a million different scenarios, most of which are far worse than the actual situation. I hope that’s the case. “Thanks. Will do.”
As soon as I hang up from the hospital, I call Sharon. She answers quickly. “Mr. Banks, is everything okay?”
“I have a personal emergency. Cancel my day and I’ll touch base with you tomorrow.”
“Yes sir. I hope it’s not Gabby.” It’s a statement, but I know she’s hoping I’ll answer the unspoken request for information.
“No, it’s not Gabby. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
Speaking of Gabby, I realize I need to let her know what’s going on, but I don’t have time right now to call her. My office isn’t far from the hospital, so I’ll be there soon. I would rather just wait to call her and tell her when I know more of what is going on with them.
As I approach the entrance, I decide that I’ll do the valet parking . I don’t know how much time I have before they do the c-section, if they haven’t already done it. I throw the gear into park, pick up my cell phone, and open the door. The valet is holding a ticket and I shove it into my pocket along with my cell phone.
I see the elevator has a line of people waiting, and I don’t have time to wait. I dash to the stairs
I shake my head, toss my pen across the desk, and turn in the chair to look out of the floor to ceiling windows. I watch as people walk around the streets and carry on their lives. I realize as I watch them, that it’s me keeping this huge secret from her. I’ve tried to reassure and justify to myself that, like Sam says, the truth would shatter her. I’ve tried to tell myself that I’m doing the right thing, but if that was really the truth, this gnawing wouldn’t be eating me alive. I know I have to find a way to tell her, but I don’t know how to even begin that conversation.
I will have to talk to Sam. There is no way that I can keep this from her. It’s not even been twenty-four hours and I can’t stand myself. Maybe it’s because of all the crap that I’ve been through with my father’s secrets. I have made it my life’s mission to make sure that I don’t operate like that. I love Gabby, and the last thing I want to do is upset her, destroy her, crumble her, but I also can’t sacrifice myself for her sake. That does neither one of us any good.
I turn and pick up my cell phone. Right as I am looking up Sam’s phone number, the hospital number shows up on the caller ID as the phone starts to ring. My heart drops into the floor. That can only mean one thing. I swipe. “This is Bradley Banks.”
“Mr. Banks. I’m a nurse at Emory. We have you listed as Ms. Veronica Johnson’s emergency contact.”
“Right. What’s going on?” I can barely breathe. I don’t know what to make of this.
“There have been some complications.” With the word complications, I immediately grab my coat from the back of my chair and dig my keys out of my pocket and start to walk towards the door. “They are prepping her for an emergency Caesarian section. We would recommend that you get to the hospital as soon as possible.”
“I’m already on my way. Are they okay?” I swing the door open and mouth to Sharon that I’ll call her before rushing down to my car.
“I can’t tell you anything other than this about their condition. Please drive safely.”
What the hell? I can’t stand it when people open a can of worms and give you enough information to know there is something wrong and then close it to then leave your mind to wander to a million different scenarios, most of which are far worse than the actual situation. I hope that’s the case. “Thanks. Will do.”
As soon as I hang up from the hospital, I call Sharon. She answers quickly. “Mr. Banks, is everything okay?”
“I have a personal emergency. Cancel my day and I’ll touch base with you tomorrow.”
“Yes sir. I hope it’s not Gabby.” It’s a statement, but I know she’s hoping I’ll answer the unspoken request for information.
“No, it’s not Gabby. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
Speaking of Gabby, I realize I need to let her know what’s going on, but I don’t have time right now to call her. My office isn’t far from the hospital, so I’ll be there soon. I would rather just wait to call her and tell her when I know more of what is going on with them.
As I approach the entrance, I decide that I’ll do the valet parking . I don’t know how much time I have before they do the c-section, if they haven’t already done it. I throw the gear into park, pick up my cell phone, and open the door. The valet is holding a ticket and I shove it into my pocket along with my cell phone.
I see the elevator has a line of people waiting, and I don’t have time to wait. I dash to the stairs
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