In The Hospital, My Parents Called My Daughter’s Surgery “Nothing Serious”

the one they still used like it was 1998. “Rachel. Your mother’s right. This isn’t a big deal. We’re not driving two hours for an appendix. Call us when it’s actually serious.”

They hung up.

I sat there staring at my phone like it had betrayed me. Then I stood up, because Lily was still in a hospital bed without anyone but me, and whatever my parents continue reading …