Teach Me (19 page)

“Coop, listen, the doctor was just saying
. . . ,
” Sean started telling me until I shot him a look. He stopped midsentence but left his hand on my shoulder.

I was breathing hard and fast, hoping I wouldn’t pass out or throw up. The doctor stared at me for a full minute before he responded to my yelling fit. The group around me seemed almost calm, which just amped me up even more. They must be in
shock, that
is the only reasonable response for why they have the frozen look of disbelief on their faces. I looked at the doctor who seemed to be avoiding my eye contact. He looked to Robert’s shocked face who just nodded.

“Very well,” the doctor said briskly.

I turned to look at the group of people who all loved Allison. I nodded once then followed the doctor back though the “restricted” doors like I had a very long eleven hours ago. I didn’t know what to expect or where the doctor was taking me. I could feel my hands shaking and my heart thumping in my chest. We stopped at the end of the hallway. This is it. I swallowed the huge lump in my throat and blinked back the tears burning in my eyes.

I looked at the doctor then toward the closed door. The doctor eyed me suspiciously. I know that he is probably waiting for the tough guy who yelled at him in front of a group of people. I’m not that guy right now. I am broken and unraveled. The other
half that had made me whole is
..
.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open with my trembling hands. I headed for the curtained-off area which was surrounded by nurses. Every step I took felt like I was walking the plank or down death row. One more step and it might be my last. The nurse who had brought me back to
Allison all those hours ago saw me walking toward her and met me halfway.

“Cooper,” Laura said, “how did you get back here?” Her voice was soft and calm—placating.

“The doctor,” I managed to croak out. She touched my arm, and I couldn’t look her in the eyes. There was some movement, and it took me a moment to see that I was now alone. Ha, what an understatement. I reached for the curtain, and two torturous minutes later, I willed myself to pull it back to see my Ali, or
. . .
what was left of her.

I heard the cry leave my throat, and there was no stopping the tears from my eyes. I felt faint and shaky knowing all the blood just rushed from my body. I took a step closer. I didn’t know what I should have expected when I first walked through those doors, but I never would have thought to expect this. I was stunned knowing my life would never be the same.

That was my last thought before I passed out.

Fifteen

Robert

Two years later

             
Twelve years ago I had to do the unthinkable, bury the woman that I loved. Though the pain was almost unbearable, I never knew that I would suffer something even more excruciating—watch my only child endure the same disease. As a father, you would do anything for your baby, but I was unable to give my daughter my heart. At eighteen, Allison suffered from an aortic aneurysm. If it hadn’t been for her teacher at the time, Cooper Perez, she wouldn’t have even made it to the hospital, let alone surgery.

             
That was also the day I discovered that the boy Ali had met at the beach over her summer break, Cooper, was one and the same. After I punched the guy in the face, my sister, Trudy, explained everything to me. It’s not that I liked the situation, but I respected the guy. He was willing to stand up to me because of how much he loved my daughter. Not only stand up to me, but quit his job to stay by her side. The guy is a ten in my book. That’s why I could understand when he told me he wanted to ask Ali to marry him. He couldn’t stand being without her for another minute.

             
I would give anything for another minute with Allison’s mom. After Cooper and I talked about it for almost an hour, he had my blessing. Life could be over in the blink of an eye, so we need to take advantage of every second God gives to us. It was devastating watching Cooper’s heartbreak as Ali told him no. I understand why she thought she was doing the right thing, but she was also only hurting herself. I’d like to say I was surprised when she changed her mind and demanded the nurse bring Cooper to the operating table, but I wasn’t. He asked again, and she said yes.

             
Then we had to wait through a seven-hour surgery that took over eleven hours due to complications. I’ll never forget the look on the doctor’s face as he made that long walk into the waiting room. His expression said it
all before he even explained. I replay his words often like he said them yesterday.

             
“Mr. Starr,” his voice low and echoing back to me from memory, “this type of procedure is difficult
. . .
”  Allison’s
heart had completely stopped, and it took them two long minutes before it would start again. It was a battle from there on out. I remember putting my arm around Cooper, thinking he was close to fainting, as close as I was. Tears flowed wildly down both our faces as we listened to the rest. At that moment, Cooper and I had a bond that could never be broken.

             
Two men—two women—four broken hearts.

             
I am waiting inside a church for Cooper now. It’s a beautiful spring afternoon. I glance at my watch just as he comes through the door. He smiles, and all the pain and worry from the past
is
absent.

             
“I’m not late.” He laughs as he approaches me for a hug.

             
“I never said you were, son.” I pat his back and smile. Cooper is dressed in a black suit which makes his blue eyes even brighter. “Are you ready for this?” I ask him.

             
He lets out a long breath of air and smiles bigger. “I sure am.” His answer is as sure as the sunrise.

             
“I’ll be right back.” I nod and pat his shoulder. “Wait here.”

             
I never thought two years ago that this is where we all would end up, but I couldn’t be any happier than I am right now. I knock lightly on the door in the back of the church. Christina cracks the door open, her eyes bright and as green as grass.

             
“Is it time?” she asked, grinning as she pushed open the door just enough for me to squeeze through.

             
“It is,” I stated as I entered the tiny room and felt my throat constrict.

             
Inside was a flurry of pale yellow, dusty pinks, and a variety of flowers. I took two careful steps toward the billowing white waterfall in the center of it all. Her dark hair was up, and small curls trickled throughout. Her cheeks burned pink with excitement and dark chocolate brown eyes wide and shining. Her smile covered her face as she stood to face me.

             
“Are you ready to give me away, Daddy?” Allison asked softly. I swallowed hard as I took her delicate hands in mine.

             
“Never,” I whispered with a smile.

             
Two years ago the doctor told Cooper and me that this kind of procedure is difficult, but he added not impossible. Allison’s heart
had
stopped for two whole minutes, and nothing seemed to work to revive her. Then the nurse who had brought Cooper back into to the operating room, Laura, before Ali went under tried something different.

             
“That boy is out there waiting to marry you, Allison Starr,” she said loudly into Ali’s ear. “So don’t you let him
down.
You keep fighting.” The entire operating room had gone silent in shock at what Laura had just done. So silent that the only sound you could hear was the increasing rate of Ali’s now-beating heart. It took a moment for the medical staff to spring back into action after watching what they later would describe as a medical miracle.

             
Cooper had truly given Allison his heart all right and all the love it carried. His love for my baby girl saved her that day. Looking back, it was like his heartbeat traveled through the halls and straight into hers and
ju
st
..
.
well, it was like he was beating for the both of them. That day when the doctor came to give us the news, Cooper told me he hadn’t heard a thing he said; he just knew that he had to see her. I can only imagine his surprise
when he pulled back the recovery room curtain to find her alive. Not just alive but awake.

             
When he woke back up from his fainting spell, they didn’t see any harm letting him recover in the bed next to Ali’s. She had to stay in the hospital for a couple of weeks and then was declared with a clean bill of health. She couldn’t go back to school right away, but she had a supportive tutor who gave as much time as she needed, Cooper. I all but let him move in with us. When Ali felt up to it, I let him take her to dinner, knowing what he was up to. That night she came home with a permanent smile and a two-karat diamond engagement ring. That is the night I made Cooper move out; no need to create temptation. Allison graduated that summer, just as planned.

             
The church is filled with over two hundred people who have touched Cooper’s and Allison’s lives in some way or another—the doctors who worked to seal up the hole in her heart, the nurse who made her keep fighting, and so many friends and family who were just as anxious to see Ali pull through as Cooper and I were. I take Ali’s arm and loop it through mine. Her ivory lacy wedding dress cuts straight across her chest and shows almost an inch of her healed incision. She chose not to cover it completely saying that it is a visible reminder of what love can do.

             
Together, Ali and I stand at the back of the church waiting for the music to start. On our cue, we make our way down a petal-covered aisle. The entire church stands to see the beautiful bride make her journey toward the groom. Cooper’s blue eyes are wide, and his smile says it all as he watches my little girl make her way toward him. A thousand memories flash in my mind: Allison taking her first steps, learning to ride a bike, her eyes on Christmas morning. None of those happy memories can compare to right now. My baby made it though her surgery and has a long healthy life ahead of her. We reach the front of the church, and I place Ali’s hand in Cooper’s. Allison turns to kiss me on the cheek.

             
“I love you, Daddy,” she whispers in my ear.

             
“I love you, baby girl,” I whisper back. Cooper shakes my hand and secures my gaze in his. I know how much he loves her, and he will stop at nothing to make her happy.

I walked my little Ali-Oops down the aisle today. I gave her away to the only man I trust with her heart. The man who saved my baby with the only thing that could—unconditional love.

Life will throw a lot at you, so you can count on learning something new every day. I have learned to open my heart and let life teach me whatever it has to offer. Every day is a gift wrapped in the lessons of tomorrow.

Today, life has taught me there is a happily ever after.

Special Thanks and Acknowledgements

There are so many people that make writing possible.

First, my true love and high school sweetheart, Joel.
Thank you for always supporting me and giving me inspiration it takes to persist. You are the greatest man in the world and I constantly in awe of how much I love you.
Second, my mom.
Mom, this story specifically makes me think of you. The day I tried to explain it to you and couldn’t see how it could work out. And the day you read the first draft and called me in tears because you loved everything about it! Thank you for being my constant cheerleader and encouraging me even when you don’t know how it’s going to end.

My Red Pen club.
You all are so amazing for being willing to read and re-read my drafts. There are not enough words to express my gratitude.
Andrea Harris-Estes, Cori
Ciocon
, Caitlyn Decker and Melissa
Stahly
.
Thank you for all your kindness and encouragement. Thank you for always being willing to let me ramble about people who don’t exist outside my brain and not having me committed. You are all the picture of what true friendship looks like.

Thank you to Laura Kerns for your professional insight. I appreciate that you took the time to make my sterile medical jargon into a proper conversation. Thank you for your time and help, it’s greatly appreciated. Creative liberties were made and I apologize if any of the information isn’t 100% kosher.

Writing is truly a passion for me. This story is particularly holds a special place in my heart.

In the words of Oscar Wilde “Men always want to be a woman’s first love—Women like to be a man’s last romance.”
I wanted to write a story to make both true and real.