headed to SoHo.
“The New York City Fire Museum?” She smiled as I opened the door and we stepped inside.
“Yep.” I grinned. “The history here is fascinating.”
We walked around and I explained to her the history of firefighting while we looked at all the exhibitions, photos and memorabilia.
“Thanks for sharing part of your childhood with me.” A grin crossed her lips as her beautiful eyes stared into mine.
“You’re welcome.” The corners of my mouth curved upward. “I hope you weren’t too bored.”
“Not at all. You were right. It’s very fascinating.”
After holding the door for her as we exited the museum, I tucked my hands in my pants pockets and she took it upon herself to wrap her arm around mine as we walked down the street. A feeling of warmth rose inside me. It felt right, and I liked it.
Chapter 31
Two Weeks Later
Sara
I was happy in my little bubble with Mason, but I couldn’t stop the feeling of wanting to talk to him about our “relationship.” As much as I struggled with the fact that trust was an issue for me, I trusted him with all my heart. I’d never felt so alive as I did when we were together. I’d let my guard down and fell in love with him. The problem was, I didn’t know if he felt the same way about me. I kept telling myself just to give it more time, but I wanted the security of knowing he was mine. We acted like a “couple” in every sense of the word. But it wasn’t official until we had the talk. Just the thought of it terrified me. I was terrified of the rejection and the humiliation I’d feel if my love was unrequited.
Mason and Nathan had been spending more time with Jack. He still wasn’t sure how long he was staying in New York, but I thought his newfound friendship with the boys would make him stay permanently. There was still a feeling inside me that something wasn’t right with him. I didn’t dare say anything to Mason about it anymore because I didn’t want the strain on our relationship. Jack still hadn’t met Elijah, which I found a little strange. Every time Mason would suggest the four of them going out for a drink, Jack would have some excuse as to why he couldn’t.
It was a normal day in the ER, and I was standing at the nurses’ station ordering some tests for the last patient I had just seen.
“Sara, they brought back a new patient in four. Male, age sixty, vomiting, severe abdominal pain and he looks a little jaundice.”
“Thanks, Corinne.”
I grabbed my stethoscope from the counter and placed it around my neck as I walked to room four. When I stepped inside, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Jack lying there.
“Jack? What’s going on?”
“Sara. You work at this hospital?” He asked in shock.
“Yeah. I do. Tell me what’s going on with you?”
“You know what,” he got up, “I’m feeling better. I’m just going to go.”
As he stood up, he doubled over in pain.
“Jack.” I grabbed hold of his arm. “Get back in bed. The nurse told me you’re vomiting and have severe abdominal pain. When did that start?”
“A few days ago, but it’s getting worse,” he nervously spoke.
“Okay. Just try to relax. I’m going to check your belly first.”
He let out shrieks of pain as I pressed down on his tender abdomen. When I finished, I checked his eyes and the lymph nodes in his neck. They were swollen just like I suspected when he first came to our apartment for dinner that night.
“I’m ordering a CT scan and some bloodwork. Are you on any medications?”
He turned his head to the side and looked away from me.
“Jack? I am your doctor right now and I need to know if you’re on any medication.”
I watched as he swallowed hard before he rattled off a few medications he was taking.
“Those medications are used to treat Bi-polar disorder.”
“Yeah.” He looked at me with a sadness in his eyes.
“How long?” I asked as I took hold of his hand.
“Thirty years or so.”
“Okay.” I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m starting you on IV fluids, and as soon as I get your test results, I’ll be back.”
He gave me a nod, and as I was walking out of the room, he called my name.
“Sara?”
“Yeah.” I turned around.
“I have pancreatic cancer.”
My heart leapt into my throat when I heard him say that.
“What stage?”
“About two months