Chapter 7 - The Gift of the First Step
The surgical waiting room on the sixth floor was filled with the soft, warm light of the morning sun breaking through the clouds.
Anna sat on the edge of her seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her eyes fixed on the red light above the operating room doors.
I stepped off the elevator, freshly washed, my charcoal suit crisp, carrying two warm cups of fresh coffee from the hospital café.
I walked over and handed her a cup.
She looked up at me, taking the coffee, her eyes scanning my face. She noticed a faint trace of soot on my sleeve.
“Is it over?” she asked quietly.
“It’s over,” I said, sitting in the chair beside her. “The Castellos will never bother this estate or anyone in it again. Evelyn Crane is in federal custody.”
Anna let out a soft breath, leaning her head against my shoulder. I didn't pull away. I let her rest against me as the clock on the wall ticked steadily forward.
At 10:15 a.m., the red light above the operating room doors turned green.
Dr. Vance stepped out, pulling off his surgical mask, a tired but triumphant smile on his face.
Anna stood up instantly, her heart in her throat. “Doctor?”
“She did brilliantly, Anna,” Dr. Vance announced warmly. “The tendon realignment went perfectly. We removed the old scar tissue around her knee joint and fitted her with a temporary light casting. No heavy metal brace. No pins.”
Anna burst into tears—tears of pure relief and happiness—and buried her face in her hands.
“Can I see her?” she sobbed.
“She’s in the recovery suite,” Dr. Vance nodded. “She’s waking up from the anesthesia now.”
We walked into the recovery suite together.
Lily lay in a large white bed, her right leg wrapped in a clean, lightweight fiberglass cast decorated with pink butterfly stickers that the nurses had placed on it.
Her small brown eyes opened slowly as she heard us enter.
“Mommy?” she murmured weakly.
“I’m here, baby,” Anna wept, kneeling beside the bed and kissing her daughter’s face repeatedly. “I’m right here.”
Lily blinked, her gaze shifting past her mother to where I stood near the doorway.
“Mr. Moretti?” she whispered.
I stepped closer to the bed. “How are you feeling, Lily?”
“My leg feels heavy,” she said softly. “But... it doesn't hurt.”
She reached out her small hand, offering me her worn plush rabbit.
“Barnaby says thank you for fixing the floor,” she whispered.
May you like
A rare, warm smile touched my face. I took the plush rabbit’s tiny paw and shook it gently.
“Tell Barnaby he’s welcome,” I said.
