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. . .
River
I pulledup to the hospital and parked my car.
Fuck.
Ruby had gotten under my skin earlier, out on the water. Why was I so drawn to a woman who insulted me every time I saw her?
Yeah, I’d dished it back because you shouldn’t talk shit if you can’t take it in return.
But the way her hazel eyes had shown her hand was something I hadn’t expected.
I’d hurt her feelings.
Hell, I didn’t even know she had feelings.
And her bullshit about me being afraid. Sure, there was some truth there. I didn’t trust many people. I kept my circle small.
But at least I had a fucking circle.
She’d run away from everyone.
At least I dealt with my shit.
I got out of the car and made my way into the hospital to visit Lionel. He’d just started inpatient physical therapy, and he’d been grumpy and annoyed about being there, so I knew the visits helped him.
But damn, did I hate being here.
I took the elevator up to the sixth floor. When I stepped off, I came to a stop at the sound of her voice.
“I want to know why my father is sitting in his own urine. It’s completely unacceptable.” Ruby was on a tirade, which I’d come to learn was the norm for her.
I moved beside her, because for whatever fucking reason, I felt the need to make sure she was okay.
She glanced over at me, but for the first time since we’d met, she didn’t seem annoyed by my presence.
“We didn’t know he needed to use the restroom,” the older woman on the other side of the desk said. She crossed her arms over her chest, but I could tell she was nervous, even if she was trying to act like she hadn’t done anything wrong.
“That’s interesting,Betty.” Ruby said her name with complete disdain. “My father said he rang the bell four times. Four goddamn times. And he isn’t allowed to get up and walk on his own, per your rules. So, you just let him pee himself like he’s a child? Do you know how demeaning that is?”
“I must have missed the bell. We have other patients here. He isn’t the only one who needs us.”
“Got it. So, there’s no apology or attempt to make things better for him?” Ruby’s voice cracked as the words left her mouth, and it startled me. I’d never seen a vulnerable side before this morning, and now it seemed like she was ready to lose it.
But she raised her chin, shoulders squared—almost like she was gathering herself and getting into fight mode.
Damn, did I recognize that move.
I’d always been able to shift quickly when I needed to.
Fight or flight? I’d always fucking fight.
“Betty,” I said, and the woman turned toward me, eyes hard. “Have you ever had a family member have a stroke, leaving them unable to take care of themselves?”
“I don’t know why that’s your business.”
“I’m just making a point. How about a little empathy for Ruby? Seeing her dad in this state is tough. She left her home and her job to come here and support him. I’m sure you can understand why it’s difficult for her to see her father like this, yeah?”
