Chapter 100

• The wait was excruciating; sort of like waiting to see if the little white stick you just peed on was going to show one line or two after a questionable one-night stand. Lalaine's mother was in surgery, her father sat patiently beside her reading the local newspaper, and Nick was somewhere in the building concocting a plan to explain his presence in Lalaine's world. Her fingernails couldn't withstand the torture her gnawing teeth were putting on them, and the tension was palpable.
• Sandra, aka Nurse Barbie, had come into the room moments earlier to update them on Lalaine's mother's condition. She informed them that everything went well and that Lalaine's mother was in recovery. Daniel would be in soon to provide more details. It was fantastic news, but Lalaine still had other concerns. Her father was skilled at detecting deception, and she hoped Nick's plan would be as flawless as his charm.
• Suddenly, the door flew open, startling Lalaine. Lexi rushed into the room and wrapped her arms around her. "Are you okay? Is your mom okay? What's going on?"