Tommy. We have to believe that.” She settled back into the bed. “I have this… I don’t know. A peace, I guess. It’s like I can hear God saying I’m going to get through this.”
With all his heart he wanted to share her peace. But the facts flew in the face of his faith. Especially today, when her diagnosis had never been more real. He couldn’t say any of that, so he just nodded.
“I know.” A grin tugged at her mouth. “Let’s talk about you. Have you told your parents yet? About being a police officer?”
“No.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I’ll tell them tonight.” Maybe that was it. First Annalee’s treatment, and then the fact that he had to go home after this and tell his parents his decision. He didn’t want to be a lawyer or a doctor the way his family expected.
He wanted to be a cop.
“Tommy… talk to me.” She was the picture of calm. “Tell me again why you want this? Especially now, when things are so crazy. Being a police officer… it’s never been more dangerous.” She was quiet for a moment. “Then maybe you’ll know what to say to your parents tonight.”
One of her machines began to beep. The sound was incessant and loud and Tommy’s anxiety doubled. Now what? Was her body rejecting the chemo? “I’ll be right back.” Tommy stood and went to the door. He stuck his head out and flagged down a nurse at the station across the hall. “She’s having a problem in here! Please hurry.”
As Tommy returned to his spot he noticed Annalee’s raised eyebrows. “I’m fine.” She shook her head. “My IV bag needs replacing.”
A male nurse entered the room and checked her monitors and the other machines at the head of her bed. He swapped out the IV bag and tapped a few buttons. “Should be good.”
Tommy exhaled. He winced at Annalee. “Sorry. I just… it’s hard enough to watch you go through this. If anything went wrong… if—” He couldn’t finish his sentence. “I had to be sure.”
Her smile warmed his heart. “Where were we?”
Was it his imagination or did her voice sound weaker? “Why… I want to be a police officer.”
“Yes.” If she was troubled by his new career choice, she didn’t let on. “All the reasons, Tommy. Come on.”
They’d gone over some of these, but he could see what she was doing. If he talked about becoming a cop then maybe he wouldn’t worry about her. He clung to her hand and leaned forward. As close as he could get to her. “I want to do something good. Something that matters.”
She nodded. “I’ll always remember you running toward that burning car.” Her eyes held his for a long beat. “Who does that?”
He ran his thumb over the top of her hand. “Kids being trafficked, drug dealers destroying lives for a pocketful of cash, gangs terrorizing inner-city neighborhoods.” He looked straight at her. “Someone has to defend our city, the people who live here.”
“Who else but you?” Annalee didn’t look away. “Glad you’re telling your parents tonight.”
“Yeah.” Tommy felt an ache in the pit of his stomach. “I think they’ll take it okay. I hope so.” He looked at the area on her upper chest where the port was sewn into her skin. “How do you feel now?”
“I’m fine.” She yawned. “You need to go home. Do your homework.”
She was right. He released the bed rail so nothing separated them. Then he leaned close and hugged her, best he could with the tubes and blood pressure cuff and IV. “All I want… is to be back at the park, kissing you by the canal.”
Their faces were inches apart. She looked deep into his eyes. “I’ll remember everything about it. As long as I live.”
Which would be a very long time, Tommy thought. He leaned closer still and kissed her forehead. “I’d kiss you now.” He looked over his shoulder. “But your nurse might not like it.”
“My mom, either.” Annalee smiled. “At least not here, in the hospital. You know.”
Tommy straightened, his hand still wrapped around hers. Before he could ask Annalee one last time how she was feeling, there was a sound at the door. Annalee’s mom walked in with a water bottle and a small coffee.
“I got this for you.” She set it down beside Annalee. “Breve latte.”
“Mmm.” Annalee hit a button and raised the bed. Then she released Tommy’s hand and took the coffee. “You know me so well.”
Tommy