After Dark Read Online Free PDF Page B

floor. She looked left then right for the nursing station, then walked toward it.
    â€œExcuse me. I’m Mrs. Lewis. My…husband is here for a biopsy.”
    The nurse looked at her chart then smiled benignly up at Elizabeth. “Yes, he’s just gone in. It will be a little while. We have a lounge down the hall to your left. You can wait there if you wish and someone will come and get you when your husband is brought to recovery.”
    â€œThank you.” She felt light-headed, as if she was walking through someone else’s reality. The hum of machines and the squish of thick-soled shoes, the clanging of metal carts all gave her a chill that went straight to her bones. Room after room was lined up with patients under various levels of care. Any one of them could be Matt.
    Her stomach knotted. She had to think positively. The test would come back, everything would be fine and it would all be a big mistake. She found the lounge and took a seat in the far corner by the window, away from several others who sat vigil. She held on to her positive thoughts like a life raft for the next two hours. Then it was snatched out of her grip.
    â€œMrs. Lewis?”
    The sick sensation rushed to her throat. She gripped her purse to her chest. “Yes.”
    The doctor came forward. He extended his hand. She thought she shook it but she couldn’t be sure.
    â€œI’m Dr. Chavis. Why don’t we go down to my office where we can talk in private.”
    â€œIs Matthew all right?” she asked as he led her out.
    â€œThe biopsy went fine. But let’s talk in my office.”
    He opened the door to a small, cramped space. “Sorry about the mess.” The desk was loaded with file folders. “Please have a seat.”
    Elizabeth sat down.
    â€œI’ll get right to the point, Mrs. Lewis, because there is never an easy way to put this. Your husband has cancer.”
    The room shifted for a moment.
    â€œBut we believe we caught it early enough. He has several treatment options…”
    He went on to explain the various procedures, from freezing the cells, to implanting radiation seeds to surgery.
    She listened and wasn’t listening at the same time. The Matt she saw in her head was the handsome knight who’d stood at the end of the aisle and had said “I Do.” He was the man who’d given her two beautiful, perfect girls, who’d worked hard to build a life and home for his family. He was the man she’d loved first and, she’d thought always, from the bottom of her heart. Matt was vibrant, healthy, strong and determined. That’s the man she saw in her mind.
    â€œHe’s going to need a lot of support during treatment, no matter what option he chooses,” the doctor was saying.
    Elizabeth focused on Dr. Chavis. The man the doctor was describing wasn’t the man she knew, but she also understood that she would get to know this Matt, as well. She nodded her head. “What now?” she was finally able to say.
    â€œThe two of you need to talk about what you want to do. And come to a decision as soon as possible. The earlier we get his treatment started, the better his chances will be.”
    â€œCan I see him now?”
    â€œI’ll take you to the recovery room.”
    When she walked into the room, Matt was on the bed with his eyes closed. Her heart jumped. She slowly approached.
    He turned his head and opened his eyes. A look of relief washed over his face. “Hi.”
    She came to the rail of the bed. “Hi. How are you feeling?”
    â€œTired. But okay, I guess. I have to wait about an hour and then I can go home.”
    Elizabeth nodded. “I spoke with Dr. Chavis.”
    â€œSo he, uh, told you everything?”
    â€œYes. Matt, I’m so sorry.”
    He drew in a breath. “Yeah, me, too.” He forced a laugh. “Life, huh?”
    She was quiet, and looked around, not wanting him to see the fear in her