Page 11 of Loyalty, Lust, Love

“He’s still in a lot of pain, but he’ll be okay.”

“What hospital? I can have my dad bring me.”

“That’s fine, sweetheart, but let me find out what’s wrong with him and if they want to keep him. We’re at Rush, and I’ll keep you posted.”

“Okay, thank you.”

The call ended, and Fateema’s nerves were even more shot. It’d been hours since she found Lynx bent over in the hallway, and no one could tell her why.

She was extremely distracted during track practice but managed to make it through. By the time practice was over, Mr. Keno hadn’t called her, which sent her mind into a fit of worry. As she went to his contact in her phone, his name popped up on her screen.

“Mr. Keno, how is Lynx?”

“He had to have his appendix removed, but he’s in recovery and doing okay.”

“Oh, thank God. Can I come and see him?”

“I’m sure that’s fine. He should be out of recovery by the time you arrive.”

She quickly ended the call before calling her father.

“I’m five minutes away, Bunny.”

“Can we go to the hospital to see Lynx?”

“Lynx is in the hospital? What happened? Is he okay?”

“He fell out in pain today at school. It was his appendix, and Mr. Keno said he had it removed.”

“Wow. Well, I’m glad he’s okay. We can go for a quick visit, but he probably needs his rest.”

“Thanks, Daddy.”

Fateema’s father picked her up a few minutes later, and they headed to the hospital. Frasier could see the nervousness in her eyes.

“Tell me what happened,” he said.

She recounted the events from earlier that day when she found Lynx in the hallway. Her father listened intently and asked questions when appropriate.

“I’m glad you were able to help him. I know it’s scary, but he’ll be fine.”

It took them about thirty-five minutes to get to the hospital. When they arrived, Frasier called Keno to find out if Lynx had been moved to a room. Keno gave him the room number, and he took his worried daughter to see her best friend.

“Lynx!” Fateema shouted when she saw him as she rushed to his bedside.

“Hey, Bunny.”

“Do you feel better? You scared the mess outta me.”

“I feel better, and I’m sorry for scaring you. Hey, Mr. Nez.”

“Hey, Lynx. I’m glad you’re feeling better, son,” Frasier responded.

“How long do you have to stay here?” Fateema asked Lynx.

“I’m not sure.”

“The doctor said two days, and then he’ll have to take it easy for a few weeks,” Keno answered.