Free My Beloved by T.M. Mendes

me. He just turned eighteen so that’s only a six-year difference. Much better than the hundreds of years’ difference between you and Mr. Gilmore,” she quipped with a saucy wink. Wendy chose not to comment on the last statement.
    “How did you know about Markus’ birthday?” she asked instead, steering clear of the subject of her and Vincent.
    Anya gave a small shrug with a secret smile. “It is my job to know these things.” Her cryptic answer brought frustration back to Wendy but she otherwise stayed silent, choosing not to fight this round with her ‘babysitter’. The elevator dinged, signaling it was their floor to get off and Anya took the first step. She turned around abruptly to face Wendy. “He loves you, you know.” Her voice was soft before she turned around and marched back to Markus’ room.
    “Yeah… I know.” That’s the problem, Wendy thought to herself.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 7
     
     
    Wendy
     
    The appointment went off without a hitch and the surgery was set for tomorrow morning. Wendy looked at her parents and saw how anxious they were to get their son fixed and it made her smile. They now had a strong hope to believe in. Markus was chatting away happily with Anya who politely smiled at him and kept up the conversation. Wendy laughed to herself quietly thinking her brother was a shameless flirt. When they first started to talk after the elevator, Wendy was worried but after seeing Anya deflect his pick-up lines with grace, she was fine.
    "Do you know what this hospital gown is made out of? Boyfriend material." He sent a sly smirk her way and Wendy couldn't help but burst out laughing from her brother's lame attempt. Markus glared at his sister for ruining his 'moment'. Anya had to look away to quietly giggle to herself so she wouldn't hurt his feelings.
    "I'm sorry Mark, but wow!" Debbie and Jim both shared a laugh when they saw how Wendy poked fun of him. They've noticed how she seemed more down these past few days and it worried them, but for now it seemed she's doing better.
    Wendy chuckled and turned back to the magazine she was reading absentmindedly. Even though she felt a little more relaxed, there was that worry at the back of her mind. As if Anya could sense her thoughts, she looked over and gave her an encouraging smile. It didn't help much but it was the thought that comforted her.
     
    "Alright, honey, are you staying with us or going home?" Wendy's parents asked but Anya stepped in.
    "Oh, she's coming over to my place. It's only a short drive from here. I'll be sure to get her here in time to see Markus before he goes into surgery."
    Wendy couldn't believe her! It didn't help the fact that Anya had lied to Debbie and Jim, saying she was another close friend. Wendy's parents were all too thrilled to hear she had another one besides Jamie. Before she could object, her mother clapped in happiness. "Oh good! That sounds like fun, right, honey?" Debbie said toward her daughter.
    'Wow, mom, way to look out for your daughter,' Wendy thought with an internal eye roll. She faked a smile that looked more like she had a migraine.
    "That sounds... great," she settled with and saw Anya beam at her parents. The worry began to seep into the front of her mind the more the clock ticked by. Without wanting to, her eyes all day have been constantly going between the large clock on the hospital wall, and the large window that was repaired while they were out eating lunch.
    "You ready to go?" Anya's voice snapped Wendy from her thoughts. She nodded slowly when she saw her family watching, so for the sake of not wanting questions asked, she stood up and hugged each of them.
    "See you tomorrow," she promised and walked out with Anya silently next to her. "Wait!" She stopped in the middle of the hallway, making Anya stop with her. Some nurses walked around shooting