I could feel the buzz before I even walked into the ER. The mood on the floor was palpable. Everyone was happy and chattering. And when I saw
Briana by the nurses’ station, a group huddled around her, I knew why. Zander must have told Benny.
I smiled and stood back and watched, my hands in my pockets. Briana was glowing. Laughing, smiling. Someone hugged her. Then someone else.
My own smile reached my eyes.
She looked up and saw me and waved excitedly. Then she said something to everyone and jogged over to me.
“Did you hear?” She was beaming.
“No,” I said, playing dumb. “What’s up?” “Benny has a kidney donor.”
I grinned at her. “That’s wonderful.”
She bit her bottom lip and bounced a little. “Thank you for putting the sticker on your car. I mean I know it wasn’t from that. Too soon. But stuff like that made this happen. So thank you.”
“Of course.” I just stood there, smiling.
She started to tear up a bit and wiped under her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m so emotional. This was so unexpected. I can’t do lunch with you today, my best friend is in town. Tomorrow? Supply room? You have to tell me that family thing.”
I nodded. “Yeah. Sure. See you then.”
Then I watched her go back to a group of waiting nurses.
I didn’t even realize how good this would feel. I was glad to be the source of everyone’s happiness, even though they didn’t know it was me. But mostly I liked seeing Briana so excited. I couldn’t have anticipated how much joy that would bring me.
It occurred to me that the same way Briana had shut off my anxiety by welcoming me to Royaume, I had probably just done the same for her. An instant relief. It made me smile to think of it like that. Like I’d paid her kindness forward, even though it was in secret.
I hoped Benny was celebrating today. But I had to admit, I was more invested in how Briana took it. I was stressed about the dinner tonight with my family, but I was in a good mood all morning anyway.
My life was a mess. But at least Briana’s was the way it should be.
