17 | Samaj #2
“Words can’t express what that means to me.” He held me like he never wanted to let go, and I allowed him to. This moment was big for him, but it was just as big for me too.
After leaving my dad, I had the bright idea to put together a self-care basket for Simone so I headed to the store to grab things I would need.
I called Emaree on FaceTime for support and to ensure I got exactly what Simone would like and find useful.
The basket quickly became full of face masks, a plush robe, noise canceling headphones, chocolate, candles, a few beauty products, a journal, a small stuffed turtle and right before I checked out I threw in a gift card to Longhorn.
“She’s going to love this.” Emaree said once I got out of the store.
“I hope so. I’ma put it all together and then go drop it off at her house before I head to the airport tomorrow. Thanks for helping me out. I owe you one.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“Hey.” I called out to her before she could hang up.
“Yeah?”
“How’s she doing?”
She gave me a look of compassion. “She’s doing good. Evolving and healing. She’s doing the work.”
“I’m happy to hear that.” And I really was.
“Now, the question is, have you been working on yourself?”
The question caught me off guard and I wasn’t sure how to answer so I kept it short. “I’m figuring things out. You've been good though?” I asked checking in.
“Yeah, I’m actually about to get ready. I have a date tonight.”
I raised a brow. “Oh yeah I heard about your new man.”
“Let me guess, my brother and your touched in the head homeboy Kadeem airing out my business.”
I chuckled. “I’m with you when you’re right. I’m not even going to repeat what Kadeem had to say about you dating this guy.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I don’t have time for whatever Kadeem has going on and Emon knows by now I’m going to do what I want with whoever I want.”
“I hear you, but let me just say, if this guy respects you and treats you good then we won’t have any problems, but as soon as that changes, know you have at least three men coming behind you and there ain’t nothing you can do about it.”
“Thanks.” She said smiling.
“Enjoy your date.”
The next evening, after taking a shower I checked out of my Airbnb with plans on stopping by Simone’s house to drop off the basket I put together.
What was supposed to be a quick stop before heading to the airport to catch my 8:15p.m. flight turned into something else entirely.
When I got to the front door I knocked a few times, but didn’t get a response. The light in the kitchen seemed to be on. I assumed GiGi might be in the bathroom or maybe even possibly asleep. I knocked again and just when I was about to just leave the basket on the back porch the front door opened.
“Good evening GiGi.” But as soon as I saw her face I could tell something was wrong. “Are you Ok?”
“Hi Samaj. Yes, I’m Ok. I wasn’t feeling too good, so I was lying down.”
Her voice sounded weak, and something was telling me that things were worse than she was letting on.
“I’m sorry I interrupted your time of rest. I wanted to drop this off for Simone.”
“Come inside. You can put it in her room.”
I stepped inside and as soon as I saw how slow she was moving I set the basket down and reached for her to give her support.
“How long have you been feeling like this?”
“A couple of hours. My vision is a little blurry.”
“Ok sit down here. Are you on any medications?”
“I took my blood pressure medicine this morning. The numbers were pretty normal. I was fine all day up until a few hours ago.”
“Where’s your blood pressure monitor? We should check it.”
“Next to my bed.”
A few minutes later I was staring at the reading. Way too high. My chest tightened with worry, but I tried to keep my composure.
“We’re going to the emergency room. Let me grab your purse.” She frowned.
“Samaj, you don’t have to do that.”
The look on my face must’ve told her I wasn’t going to back down so she nodded her head.
I hate hospitals. That part of me hadn’t changed in the last few months, but here I was driving there willingly because there was no way I was leaving her by herself.
On the drive there I thought about calling Simone to give her a heads up, but shut the idea down almost immediately.
I wasn’t going to ruin her trip. I considered telling Emaree as well, but I knew she was going out tonight.
I figured maybe I’d just update her later once everything was settled.
We didn’t have to wait long to be set up in a room. I forced myself to stay present although my mind kept replaying the last two times I had been here in this same exact hospital. First losing my brother and then to witness almost losing my mom.
“We’re going to take her ECG and chest X-Ray. We’ll be right back.” One of the nurses said. “Are you ready Miss. Washington?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
As soon as they left I began to look for a later flight. I was in the middle of reviewing the limited options when I heard a phone buzzing nearby. GiGi’s phone was face down on the table. I picked it up and when I saw Simone’s picture flashed on the screen I froze.