"This is Sylvia. How can I help you today, Becky?"
"I wanted you to know that Chloe's awake and doing well. She got engaged yesterday to Matthew, and I wanted to know if you'd like to plan a bridal shower with me for her."
"Did a plastic surgeon fix her face yet? It's going to have hideous scars."
Becky continued to take deep, relaxing breaths. "Chloe asked about you and Earl, she'd like to see you both. You should stop by and look at her ring, it's really pretty."
"How much did he spend? A dollar?"
"I don't think the cost matters, Sylvia. She's really happy."
"I heard she lives in Detroit. Did she really move to that hellhole?"
"Would you like to plan a bridal shower with me? Chloe would love it if you were there. Maybe you could spend some time with her doing the things—"
"I'm not committing, Becky. I'm sure we'll fly out of here before then."
"I can call you back and find out your schedule. We won't have the shower until Chloe's healed up some."
"Of course, she can't very well show up in that condition, but I'll call you…" Sylvia hung up the phone.
When Matthew walked in to see Chloe, she was fast asleep. The nurse mentioned she was medicated twice this evening for pain, so he didn't want to disturb her. He sat by her bed until visiting hours ended, and then wrote her a note saying how much he loved her and placed it on her nightstand.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Over the next few weeks, the healing had really progressed. Chloe was sitting up in bed, and the pins had been removed from her hand. A cast was placed on her arm, but at least it was more comfortable. What she really wanted was to go home, but the doctor told her if she did, she'd need constant care. With a broken arm and leg on the same side of her body, it'd be impossible for her to get around. He promised to have a walking cast in place soon if her leg continued to heal nicely.
"Chloe, I know you're getting impatient, but your injuries from the accident were severe. To be honest, you're lucky to be alive. I'm glad you're feeling better, but if you do too much too fast, you'll cause damage, and some could be permanent."
"I'm just excited to live my life."
"I can understand that, but as your physician, I'm not going to jump the gun on anything. I'll let you go home only when you're healed up enough."
Becky walked in the room with a smile. The doctor left so the girls could visit. He knew Chloe's mood was being affected by her lengthy hospital stay, but there wasn't anything he could do. He had to keep her inpatient….he also had no idea what was really eating at Chloe.
"How are you?" Becky slid a chair up beside the bed.
"I'm okay. Did my mother call you back?"
"Not yet. But I don't want you worrying about your mother. She probably had an emergency or something."
"Yeah, you're probably right."
"Hey, would you like some hot chocolate? I was going to run downstairs and get us some."
"That sounds good. Maybe we can watch a couple of movies. I think there's a deck of cards…wait, I can't hold them. You'd be too free to cheat!" Chloe began to laugh and so did Becky. Both knew the laughter wasn't real.
Becky walked back outside of the hospital on her way down to the cafeteria. Once again, she had to take some deep breaths before making another call to Sylvia. This time, she only had to wait for ten minutes.
"I thought we agree that I'd call you, Becky."
"Look, she's your daughter. Would you please stop being like this? She's getting married, Sylvia, and you can't even manage to call to congratulate her or come to her shower? I'm even willing to plan the entire thing. I promise you won't have to do any work…" Becky listened to the dial tone. Or come see your child after she almost died.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Matthew hurried as fast as he could to get his work done, and on Sundays he picked up side jobs for extra money to pay for the wedding and a nice tuxedo. He'd have plenty of time to save, because Chloe didn't want to go down the aisle until she was cast free and could walk on her own. It broke his heart that her father wouldn't be around to give her away. To hell with him, she can use my dad, who loves her more than her own. Becky made him aware of Sylvia's behavior, and even though Chloe hadn't complained, they both knew it was tearing her up inside. Becky stopped bringing up the shower and decided it would be best to just surprise her. That way, she could be blamed for not including her Sylvia. She'd rather have her friend angry at her instead of watching Chloe's heart break by the knowledge of her own mother not caring and not wanting anything to do with her. The fact that Sylvia and Earl were still in Michigan made everything worse. The hospital was only a forty minute drive during rush hour.
When Chloe was given the news that she could go home in a week, Matthew got started on her apartment so it'd be clean and aired out before she got there. They planned a little party with Conner, Sherry, and John, but Matthew knew she'd instantly notice a couple of people missing.
"Becky, we have to at least try. No matter how much we want to throw those two in a lake of fire, we have to extend an invitation."
"I can't talk to her anymore."
"Do you want me to call?"
"Oh God, Matthew, she'd rip you apart."
"Yeah, and I really don't trust my mouth. Maybe I can call Earl."
"You can try. Don't get your hopes up, though."
When Matthew got home from work, he picked up the phone and dialed the number Becky wrote down on a piece of paper.
"Burlington residence."
"Could I speak with Earl, please?"
"Your name, sir?"
"Matthew Sharp. I'm his future son-in-law."
Matthew waited for thirty minutes, then hung up and called back.
"Burlington residence."
"Yes, this is Matthew Sharp. I was waiting for Earl to come to the phone. Is he home?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Sharp, I went into his study and gave him your message. Would you like me to let him know you're on the line?"
"Yes please, and thank you."
After another thirty minutes passed, Matthew hung up.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
The morning of Chloe's discharge, the staff gave her a little celebration of their own. They had a huge card for her that everyone signed.
"Your face is healing nicely. You probably won't be scarring much. Regardless, you'll make a beautiful bride. You've been such a sweet patient, Chloe, and we're going to miss you. Take care of yourself and don't forget your follow-up appointments, and follow the doctor's discharge instructions to the tee."