Stolen Dreams by Heather M. Borger (most read books in the world of all time .TXT) 📕

Was it tough to sleep?”

“Yeah, pretty rough last night. Is it always so bad this time of year?”

“No, not always. This year seems to be a bit worse than normal. But, I’m sure it will settle down soon. There’s nothing in any of the local weather reports that makes me think we have anything to worry about for the next twenty-four hours at least.”

Skye smiled, but remained alarmed at the size of the wakes she could see forming around their small boat. She tried to close her eyes and relax to the motion of the rocking boat. Any other day, it would be relaxing to be lulled by the motion of the water. Today, her worries took precedence in her mind and took over her thoughts.

“Wanna talk about it?”

“What?”

“Whatever’s bothering you so much.”

“Not really. Sorry. I’d just like to try to relax and forget about it. But, thanks. Maybe later we can talk.”

“Yeah, okay. Well, listen, you have about forty-five minutes until we need to leave. Just try to be sure you’re ready by then. I don’t want to be late.”

“I’m ready now. No need to worry.”

Brock disappeared once again and Skye tried to think of something other than her surgery or her dad. The only thing that came to mind was Chase. She wasn’t sure how she felt about him, so she decided to sort out some of those emotions for a while. On one hand, he helped her forget everything that had happened to her in the past week and a half since her original doctor’s appointment. He helped her feel alive and happy, if only for a night. Then, more recently, he somehow convinced her that she wanted to go through with the surgery. He lead her to the decision and guided her thoughts, and yet, he made sure she felt that the decision was hers alone. He was smooth, she would never forget him. Closing her eyes, Skye found herself smiling as she thought about Chase. Too bad she’d probably never see him again.

“You ready to go?”

Skye nodded and stood up without talking. She was a little upset at having had her daydream interrupted.

“You’re not talking again. Are you mad at me or just worried about today?” he smiled, but it was hesitant and unsure.

“I’m not mad at you. I’m worried a little about today, and a lot about the rest of my life. That’s all. Nothing new. I just want to get this over with for now and have one less worry on my plate.”

“Well, then, let’s get it done.”

Brock lead her inside the hospital and to the desk where she was signing in when a familiar voice made Skye spin around. She was face to face with her very angry mother.

“What on Earth do you think you’re doing?” Skye opened her mouth but wasn’t given a chance to answer, “I came here to pay part of your bill only to be told that until your surgery today is complete and everything is done, they won’t have a total for me. You told me they never called you!”

Skye spoke coldly to her mother, “What difference does it make to you? All you care about is how much it’s going to cost anyway. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it for you. I promise to work my ass off for the next ten years if you promise to keep off my back and let me live like the adult I’m trying to be.”

“I’m your mother. I deserve to know what’s going on with you. It apparently wasn’t so terrible that you didn’t tell him."

“Brock has been a better friend to me and has supported me more in the last week than you ever will.”

Alaina huffed at her daughter, turned on her heels, and stormed out through the hospital doors.

Brock stood in shock, “She didn’t even ask how you were feeling, or if there was anything she could do for you.”

“She never has.”

He felt a pain in his heart for how typical and normal this seemed to be. Skye never flinched, she never even appeared to show any signs of anguish over her mother’s speedy and hurtful departure. This really was how Skye had been treated her entire life. It was no wonder she couldn’t wait to leave the island with her father and explore the ocean.

The receptionist spoke quietly, clearly embarrassed by the scene she had just witnessed, “Miss Pates, you can head upstairs to the surgical unit if you’re ready. Dr. Miller is waiting for you.”

“Yes, thank you.” Skye turned to walk in the direction pointed out to her. She took steady, deliberate steps; but with each one, she felt a piece of her heart crumble. Life for Skye was never going to be the same. The only question still on her mind, was there any way it was still worth living?


Leading her gently down the upstairs hallway, Brock felt her tense at the sight of the doors leading into the surgical unit. Luckily, Dr. Miller was waiting at the door and ushered her quickly inside.

“I promise this will be over before you know it.” He pointed to a chair in the waiting room, “Brock, you can have a seat. I’ll come out for you as soon as she’s in recovery and we can go over her orders.”

Taking over for Brock, Dr. Miller gently ushered Skye on and continued speaking, now directing his words at Skye, “I know this is difficult, so we will get you comfortable, administer the general anesthesia and get started as soon as you are asleep. The next thing you know, Brock will be with you and you will be waking up.” Stopping briefly just outside the door to the surgical prep area, Dr. Miller looked at her, “I promise you, Skye, I am certain this will confirm that nothing has spread. I am only doing this for peace of mind, because in the small chance I’m wrong, it would be devastating.”

They walked through the doors and a team of nurses took over. The anesthesiologist was soon asking for a signature to allow the anesthesia. Before she had a chance to reconsider, Skye was on a bed being rolled into the operating room. Dr. Miller’s caring eyes and reassuring words were the last things she remembered.

Ten

“Good morning. Sleep well?”

Skye smiled at Brock’s encouraging demeanor as she awoke. She nodded, feeling surprisingly well-rested.

“I guess everything went well since you’re smiling.”

Brock nodded. “Dr. Miller said the surgery went flawlessly and you should be able to get out of here within the hour. Then we can get back to the island and I’ll help you grab some things and head to my place for a few days. It’ll be like old times when we were kids and your mom left for the mainland.”

Skye smiled. How could she say no to his attempt to have her stay with his family. “You’re tricky, bringing up our childhood in an attempt to make me want to stay.”

“Sorry, I really don’t want you staying with your mom right now.”

“Don’t apologize. I don’t really want to stay with her right now, either. If she even goes home today.”

Dr. Miller stepped into the room quietly, “How’s my favorite patient feeling?”

“Pretty good. I guess it’ll feel worse as the day goes on.”

“Yeah, tonight and tomorrow will probably be the worst of it. Into Sunday evening you should be feeling much better. Are you ready to make an appointment for removing the stitches?”

Brock nodded and stood to get Skye’s bag.

“Ten days will put us at next Monday. How early can you be here?”

Skye looked to Brock for help. He answered Dr. Miller, “We can come Sunday night and be here any time Monday.”

“Great. Let’s do six thirty again. Then, I can get you in and out before my other surgeries are scheduled.”

Skye smiled at both Dr. Miller and Brock, “Thanks. Now, when can I get out of here?”

Dr. Miller chuckled, “I’ll send in a nurse to check your vitals and if everything looks okay, you can leave now. I’ll see you in ten days.”


Forty-five minutes later, Skye and Brock were back on the boat heading toward the island. Skye closed her eyes and sat back in her seat. The wind tore through her hair as Brock seemed to be in a hurry. They were going fast, trying to beat the dark clouds forming in the distance.

“I thought you said the weather was clear for at least a day.”

“That’s exactly how meteorologists get a bad name. If I was this far off in my job, all the life in the surrounding ocean could be dead by next month.”

Skye became worried, “So you think there’s a storm close by?”

“Yeah. We’ll beat it, but it could get nasty tonight.”

Skye remained quiet the rest of the ride. She couldn’t get the image of her father’s ship being tossed by the stormy waves out of her mind. What if they capsized? What if all his research was lost? What if she ended up wishing that these were the worst things that had happened?


Brock’s parents met them at the dock. Skye had allowed Brock to tell his father what was going on. They jumped on board immediately to help unload Brock and Skye’s things.

“How are you, dear?” Jaslynn’s kind, soft voice comforted Skye immediately.

“I’m okay. Glad to be back on solid ground.” She barely hesitated before getting the answers she needed. “Have you heard from my dad?”

Trace answered quickly, “No word from them today yet. He was able to contact us yesterday with his coordinates, though. He’s making good time.”

Skye relaxed. Although short and to the point, Trace’s answer was honest and sincere. Skye knew that much. “Thank you.”

Trace nodded.

Brock knew his dad didn’t want any other questions, so he spoke up, “Dr. Miller thinks it would be best for Skye to have someone to help her around for a few days while her leg begins to heal. I thought it would be best for her to stay with us.”

Skye started to object politely, but was cut off by Jaslynn, “Of course, she’s better with us. There’s no question. Will you help her get her things before it gets too nasty out here?”

“Yeah. We’re going now.” Brock smiled smugly at Skye and helped her onto the dock. Speaking quietly, he dared Skye to disagree with his mother, “If you want to break her heart, you tell her you’re not staying. I’m not going to do it.”

Skye just shook her head in defeat and limped along the dock. The walk to her house took twice as long as normal. Both