Page 24 of Highland Stars
“I’m sure I will. But I’d have to stay here two weeks to eat all this.” I laugh, taking it all in. We should put some of this in the freezer, because if it’s anything like some of the gluten-free food back home, it will be stale in twelve hours or so.
“You’re welcome here as long as you'd like. I mean, I’m sure you have plans, but don’t feel like you have to recover quickly and rush off. You wouldn’t want this food to go to waste now, would ya?”
I pull out my phone and pretend to pull up a website. “I’m canceling my return flight, so the food doesn't go to waste.”
Malcolm chuckles. “What looks good? Or we could head to lunch.”
“I think I’ll have a little snack. I’m ready to see how this movie turns out. You wanna split a blueberry muffin?”
“I’d love to.”
As the movie’s wrapping up, my phone rings.
“It’s my mom. I guess it’s time to tell her what happened. I’m gonna take this outside.”
Malcolm nods as I pass.
“Hey, mom.”
“Hey, baby. How are you? I just had to hear your voice.”
I step out onto the patio, closing the door behind me. “I’m alright. I’m glad to hear your voice too.” I take a deep breath because I’m not sure how she’ll take this. “I have some news.”
“News? What do you mean you have news?” There’s panic in her voice. She automatically assumes something’s wrong.
Technically she’s not wrong, but I’m fine now.
“I had appendicitis. I had my appendix removed two days ago. But I’m A-okay now!” I smile, as if she can see how fine I am.
“Two days ago? You hadsurgerytwo days ago and I’m just now hearing about it?”
“I didn’t want you to panic. I’d actually met my E.R. doctor the night before, and he’s been taking good care of me.”
“How, exactly, is thismandoctor taking care of you?”
I’m extremely tempted to say magic, but I narrowly refrain. “He has an extra room in his house; he’s letting me stay here while I recover.”
“You’re staying in a strange man’s house!”
“He’s not strange; he’s actually quite normal.”
“Makenna.”
“Mom.” I sigh. “I wouldn’t have taken him up on his offer if there had been any hint of him having evil motives. I’m fine.”
“Can I speak with him?” She’s using herwon’t-take-no-for-an-answervoice.
“He’s busy,” I try.
“What’s he doing?”
“Sitting in the living room.”
“Put him on.”
“Okay.” I shake my head and pull my phone from my ear just in time to notice she switched to a FaceTime call. Great.
I tap to accept, and see my mom’s face. She’s standing in her bathroom, dressed in her scrubs for work. Her short light brown curls are standing all over her head. Clearly, she hasn’t finished getting ready.
