Free Keep the Window Open for Me by Elizabeth Ventsias Page A

from a heart attack that had no cause five months ago. After looking over your x-rays that were taken after your last heart attack, I can confirm that you have broken heart syndrome,” he said with absolute certainty. Pressing my lips into a thin line, I shook my head not believing what he had just told me. I couldn’t have broken heart syndrome. I was dying from a weak heart…wasn’t I?
    “Then why haven’t I gotten better if I have this syndrome?”
I asked.
    “That is the unusual part about your case. Normally you would have, but as long as the stress levels in your life remain the way they were that caused the initial incident, I’m afraid you’re condition will continue to degrade until ultimately your heart does fail you,” he said. “There is still hope though. Your heart can still recover if your stress goes down and you give yourself a chance to rest and relax while you recuperate and your heart heals.”
    My breathing picked up at the possibility that everything could be all right in the end. My hand covered my mouth as I felt my stomach flip around inside of me. Tears brimmed my eyes as the relief of the realization washed over me.
    “You mean, I could actually get better. I don’t have to die?” I asked my voice thick with the onslaught of tears that threatened to fall. Danny’s hand came to rub my back soothingly. I couldn’t believe it; I was going to be all right. With a soft reassuring smile, Doctor Lawrence nodded.
    “Yes, you’re going to be just fine as long as you keep your stress low for the next few weeks,” he replied. He looked up at the clock before turning his gaze back on Erin and Danny. “I’ll give you two a few minutes in private, but after that I want to move you to the ICU so we can monitor your recovery more closely.” With that he left, shutting the door behind him.
    “I can’t believe it,” I whispered more to myself than to Danny. “I’m going to be all right.”
    I felt like an unimaginable weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Tears freely ran down my cheeks. I felt so happy. I was going to live, and Danny was right here by my side. For the first time ever, I felt as if everything was going to work out. Nothing could get in the way. I had everything I needed to be happy and stay happy. And suddenly, my heart didn’t hurt anymore.
    “Yeah, you’re going to be just fine,” Danny whispered to me as he wiped my tears away with his thumb. I couldn’t stop the smile that broke out across my face at the remark. I really was going to be just fine like he said.
    I wrapped my arms around his neck.
    “Keep the window open for me until I get out of here?” I asked, reveling in the overwhelming happiness that I was immersed in. Danny chuckled and held me close.
    “Well, I’ll have to think that about—” he joked.
    Laughing, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Of course I will,” he whispered to me.