Chapter 43: Yaron

DB#23-3

Edited by kenjisato.

The last part of Yaron and Vee’s story.

I glanced at my watch for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Relax, she’ll be here any minute,” Daniel said—again. He had agreed to drive me to the airport to pick up Vee. I was too nervous to drive. Besides, his trunk was bigger than mine. “Everything is going to be okay.”

I knew Daniel wasn’t talking about Luke, whose condition was still critical. He meant Vee.

Then, I saw her—the same girl I hadn’t seen in what felt like an eternity, though in that moment, those years seemed like a mere breath.

She was wearing thick sunglasses and a hat that concealed most of her hair. White knee-high boots and an unbuttoned red coat completed her outfit. She stood up, adjusted her white dress, and brushed her hair out of her face. She was wearing makeup and looked thinner. The large rings on her fingers sparkled.

I waved. She waved back and walked toward us.

I wanted to say something—congratulate her, tell her I’d missed her, anything. But my throat closed around the words before I could speak.

An awkward silence followed.

Things had changed between us. We were no longer the same people we were when we were kids.

Vee took a step forward, breaking the stillness that surrounded us as I stood frozen. She hugged me long and tight, then gave Daniel a brief hug.

“Thank you for calling me and for taking care of everything,” she said, her eyes locking onto mine with gratitude, sending a shiver down my spine.

Then, her voice dropped. “Yaron, tell me the truth. How is my father?”

I hesitated, but there was no point in softening it. I shook my head. “I’m sorry.”

She swallowed, took a deep breath, and asked, “Take me to the hospital, please.”

I glanced at the big suitcases and felt a pang of tension. These weren’t bags for a short visit; they were the belongings of someone prepared to stay.

“How long are you going to stay?”

The question slipped out before I could stop it, before I could consider what answer I even wanted. Desire mingled with fear, doubts with a hope that was always present when it came to Vee.

“As long as it takes. I have a month between films. After that...” She hesitated. “If he makes it, we’ll see.”

I nodded. A month. It sounded like an opportunity to reconnect. It also sounded like trouble.

We helped Vee with her luggage and got into Daniel’s car. During the drive, I updated her on her father’s condition, trying to prepare her as best I could for the worst.

Her hands trembled all the way to the hospital.

Daniel went back to work, and I walked with her inside.

Vee stepped up to the reception desk, identified herself, and asked to speak with a doctor.

The conversation was short. The prognosis was worse.

We entered Luke’s room. His face was barely recognizable amidst the tangle of tubes and needles piercing various parts of his body.

She sat beside him and rested her forehead against his, a tender, intimate gesture that reminded me of the past. Luke had sweat on his forehead, and she wiped it away with the sleeve of her coat. He didn’t move.

Vee closed her eyes, and whispered, “Keep breathing, Dad. Please.”

I placed a hand on her shoulder, unsure what to do or say, except to let her know I was there.

“Hold on, Dad,” Vee pleaded. “Please just hold on—and forgive me for not being by your side.”

She kissed her father’s eyelids. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Then she looked at me and added, “You can go if you want. You’ve done enough. Thanks again, Yaron. I’m in debt to you, again.”

I turned toward the entrance. Vee was right. It was best for me to leave. Besides, I had already done my part and needed to return to my own life. I had patients waiting for me.

But before I opened the door, I said, “I’d like to stay if you don’t mind.”

Vee gave me a shy smile. She looked incredibly fragile. “Thanks, Yaron. For everything.” A pause. Then, softer, “I don’t deserve your friendship.”

I stepped out and called the clinic, informing them that due to a family emergency, I was taking the day off.