CHAPTER-13

Kimberly P. O. V

Jackson will be returning today around evening. It has been so long since I had last seen him. I am so happy . I can not wait to spend time with him. He is going to be in state for three weeks.

But now I am stuck with my parents. Jackson's ship will reach New York Harbor around six that means I have six hours to spend before I meet him at the harbor. Jakson's parents are not in state. Jakson's great aunt is sick so they went to look for her in Florida.

Jakson's extended family owns a few ranches in Florida. They are very rich. But Jackson's father did not want to be a part of the family business so he came to New York with his wife and Jackson, when Jackson was eight. His father started a tech company and reached to the top. His company is now one of the top companies in New York.

He wanted Jackson to inherit the company but Jackson chose to be a Navy SEAL after he graduated from high school. His father never forced him though because his family had forced him to take over the family business and he didn't want to . He did not want the same thing for his son so he let him go away.

Though his parents both get married to each other and have kids who will inherit the family fortune as we have been dating for six years, almost seven . But we both do not want to rush into marriage. I would be lying if I say I do not want that. I wanted to marry him but at the same time I didn't.

I do not think I love Jackson. Yes I liked him for six years but in all those years I never fell in love with him or felt a special connection to him. I can not teach my heart to love someone who is not destined to be mine. I know whether I accept it or not my heart will only beat for one person, whom I have yet to meet. But I know even if I wanted him he can never be mine.

It's better to have somebody on whose shoulder I can cry on my bad days Or share my happiness than have nobody to rely on.

My chain of thought broke and I came back to reality. I didn't even notice when my client came and sat on the chair before me. I checked the clipboard to see my client's name and put it down.

"Yes Mrs Warna, how can I help you today?".

"Willow had been facing redness, swelling and bleeding gums for the last couple of months. At first I thought it would go away but after a few months it became worse than before".

" Place her on the bed please ".

I opened a Turkish Angora cat's mouth with a Periodontal probe and Mouth Mirror . I tilted her mouth towards the surgical light and indeed she was facing Dental disease. I put the instruments down and switched off the surgical light.

I went to my chair and gestured to Mrs Warna to take s sit.

"Willow is facing a Dental Disease called Gingivitis, nothing serious. In some cases, a gum or tooth disease can cause severe pain and discomfort, which can affect a cat’s quality of life. Some cats may stop eating because of pain, which can lead to malnutrition and other health concerns".

"Gingivitis that is left untreated can result in periodontitis. This occurs when there is damage to the soft tissue of the gums or the bone that supports the teeth".

"The only way to prevent the spreading of this disease is to take oral hygiene seriously and give her liquid food until she is able to consume solid food.I will prescribe some medicines.Give her this two two tablets twice a day. If you see by the end of the month it is not healing then book an appointment next month.By looking at it ,it do not seem to be serious till now.Hopefully it will heal".I scratched the midline of the cat's neck and she mewled in satisfaction.

" Thanks Dr Stones".

"Your welcome Mrs Warna". I smile and wave her goodbye.

After she left I check few more patients. Time flies by in a blink of an eye, when I was going through the reports and papers my phone start ringing. I check the phone and it's Anna's call. I accept it.

" Hey ,what happened, why are you calling? ".

I heard a sniffing noise like somebody is crying silently.

" Anna, why are you crying ?Talk to me. What happened? I am getting worried".

She calmed down a little bit and said" Kim dad— ---- --- -- dad dad " . She was not able to finish her statement and burst out in another set of new tears.

"Hey hey Anna calm down first and then tell me what happened to uncle? ".

" Kim dad is in the hos–pital . He had a major heart atta-ck when he was driving. He w–as not abl-e to control the car and his car crashed into a tree. The accident was very ba-----d . He is is now in operation theatre ".

She could not control herself from crying for too long.

" Where did they take him? ".

" NYC Health Plus Hospital ".

" I will be right there".

I quickly packed my stuff and rushed out of the door. I stopped at the reception . Evelyn was not at the reception, Monica was. I informed her.

"I need to leave the hospital. It is a family emergency. My foster father had an accident. He is in an emergency.I need to go to the hospital. Postpone all my other appointments ".

" Of course Dr. Stones. I will inform them ".

" Thank you very much ". With that I ran out of the hospital. I waited for a cab but all are booked. Finding a empty cab during day is quite challenging.

Finally I find one .

" Where to miss? ".

" NYC Healing Plus Hospital ".

The cab driver nodded and started the car.It stopped after a few blocks because of the traffic. I had to sit there for half an hour. When I reached to the hospital I quickly pay him an ran into the hospital.

I went to the reception to ask about uncle.

" Hello excuse me a accident patient had been admit in this hospital I am his family member".

"Yes a patient who was in an accident was admitted few hours before. He is in operation theatre.Please go to second floor down the hallway then turn right. You will find the operation room there".

" Thanks ".

I run to the elevator continuously press the up button of the lift. The elevator soon came I rushed inside and press two. With in no time I reached to second floor. I follow the direction that the receptionist gave me.

When I reached there I saw Anna and her mother holding each other cry out side the operation theatre. I went to them.

"What happened? Did you get any information about uncle? ".

The both turned to me. Anna said

" We do not kn-ow. Doct-ors d-id not said anyth-ing. We ha-ve been stand-ing out-side for two house".

I hugged them and stand beside them waiting for the the doctor to come out.

It feels like life time after the light bulb outside the operation theatre switch off. The doctor came out. We rushed to him.

"How is my father doing doctor? ".

The doctor stood there for a moment then said" The operation went successful. The patient is out of danger".We heavened a sign of relief .

"We could able to remove the glass pieces but his hand is fractured. He needs bed rest and please do not leave him alone ".

" Can we meet him doctor? ".

" I am sorry but you can not. The patient is unconscious and needs rest".

The doctor left us.

"Mom go back home I will look after dad. Your health is not good. You should go home and take rest".

" Yes aunt Anna is right.You should go home and rest. We will look after uncle ".

Aunt tried to protest but Anna stood firm. She reluctantly agreed.

" Fine but if you need anything call me".

" Mom driver will drop you off" .

Anna took her mom to the car while I waited outside the room.

I pull out my phone if someone messaged me. My phone was silent. I open the phone saw two miss calls from Jackson. Oh shit I forgot to pick him up . I check the time it fifteen past six. I quickly shoot a message to Jackson that I can not pick him up. Anna's father is in hospital. He saw the message but did not reply back.

Now I am feeling back. I will meet him tomorrow and make it up to him. Uncle condition is not good I have to stay for him. They had been there in my darkest days. I will always be there for them.