From Mountains to Lone Stars

I slowly woke up, feeling pain in my stomach where they had filled me with gas. It was like a thousand tablets of Alzselker had been pushed into my stomach and were waiting for the right moment to bubble up.

“Hi, honey.” Mom patted my head. “You did so good, baby. The doctor wants to come in and talk to you.”

I looked around as I listened to my mom. I was in a stark white room that smelled of cleaner. It was exactly like the one Dad was in and out of all the time. I understood why he hated places like this now. It was stifling and not at all welcoming. And I could only imagine how expensive staying in this room for two nights was going to be.

“You really did do well, Maverick.” Matt smiled at me, flashing those gorgeous dimples. A blush crept across my cheeks. God, I can’t believe I had dreamed about him. That’s when the memory hit me and my eyes turned to the size of saucer plates.

“Holy shit! Did I actually wake up in surgery?” I tried to sit up, but both the people in my room shoved me back down gently yet firmly.

The doctor walked in at that exact moment and she smiled at the sight. “Yes, Alexis, you did wake up in surgery. Luckily, we got you back under very quickly. It looks like there was more cancer than we originally thought.” I guess she just wanted to jump right into it.

“What does that mean?” I asked, reaching for Matt and Mom’s hands.

She smiled at me. “We had to remove everything, Alexis. You have no more uterus, Fallopian tubes, or ovaries. Everything is gone, and the cancer is unlikely to come back. We’re going to monitor you for a few days and make sure you are comfortable getting up and down on your own. From there on, we’ll need to do some physical therapy. What do you think about all that?”

I looked at Matt, taking a minute to process all that had been said. It was weird to think I wouldn’t have periods anymore. It was even weirder to think that the decision for kids was no longer my choice. My body had made it for me. Matt smiled softly at me. I could get lost in those dimples.

“I think that sounds okay. Can I have a few moments with my friends and family?”
The doctor nodded and left the room. She was a good doctor, and I liked her. I just had a lot to process. Mom gave me a hug and smiled at me with tears in her eyes. I knew she wasn’t happy with the news. Mom always wanted to be a grandma, but that’s what she had my older sister for.

“How does all that make you feel, Mav?” Matt asked and then kissed the top of my head. I guess we weren’t trying to fake anything in front of my mom.

“It just feels weird. Can I stay at UNT, Mom?”

She nodded, still unable to speak. I think Mom had been more freaked out than me, and I couldn’t blame her. Her baby had almost died. What was she supposed to be?

“I’m sure it does. We’re excited that you’re still gonna be with us. We can’t wait to have you back.” Matt gently kissed my lips. He felt so good.

“Thank you, Matt.”

Notes