Chapter nineteen

The beginning of the end

I texted my dad the day before that Desiree was due for surgery the next day. He viewed the message but didn't reply, didn't call her to wish her good luck or anything like that. His attitude makes me furious.

They remove her nasogastric tube, and we walk to the operating room. She is smiling. The nurse informs her that she needs to leave her sandals and wear a kind of cap for her feet. Desiree hands me the sandals, gives me one last look, and walks off into the OR, happily walking. I watch her disappear as soon as the door is closed, and I pray softly that God will protect her and free my mother from any complications.

I sit on one of the benches and stay there for about four hours, waiting, while patients come and go. Not only that, but I observe Lourdes approaching and sitting next to me.

— Go home, girl – she advises me – these procedures take six to eight hours.

— I was told that her surgery was simple – I find her explanation strange.

— For removal of ga