Instead, he went over to comfort Sophie, pulling her into his arms and trying to calm her sobs. We all turned as Eloise started to stir, slowly waking up, her eyes looking around the room in confusion.
“Mommy?” she reached out, and Sophie quickly enveloped her in a strong hug. Stroking her back and murmuring to Eloise, she rocked her back and forth for several minutes, letting her wake up at her own pace. Eventually letting her go, Sophie helped Eloise into an upright position.
“Pops!” she yelled as Grandfather rushed to her side.
“Lou, my dear, you had us all scared to bits! The doctors assured us that you’ll be as good as new in no time.”
“Really?” she asked, looking between Grandfather and Sophie, who smiled and nodded. Finally, Eloise noticed me hovering in the corner of the room.
“Mommy, why is he here? Do I have to go with him? Do we have to go to a party with Nat tonight?” I frowned at the fear in her voice and the anxiety behind her odd question. “I promise I’ll be more careful. I won’t ever go on the jungle gym again.”
I opened my mouth in shock. She was acting afraid of me.
“Shh, baby. He’s just here to check on you. Your father loves you and wanted to make sure you were okay,” Sophie told Eloise, which only increased my confusion and anger.
Why does my presence need an explanation?
My grandfather was looking at me with a mixture of disappointment and disgust. I wanted to say something, but I knew it wasn’t the time. I didn’t want to aggravate the situation more.
“Where’s Linc? I want to see Linc. Please, can we call him?” Eloise asked Sophie with near desperation.
“He’s on his way. You’ll see him soon, I promise,” Sophie whispered, and I couldn’t help the anger at hearing that Neanderthal’s name. I had spoken to the ex-wife. She was in a financial bind and was happy to accept my funds to relocate back home, to be closer to her family. I would have to check in with her soonerrather than later.
“I want to see him now. Can we call him? Please. I want Linc.” Eloise cried as she avoided looking at me. I looked at Grandfather, only to find him glaring at me as if it were my fault.
Why is Eloise acting like this? Is she really so terrified to see me?Before I could finish that thought, Linc came bursting into the room. In an old T-shirt and worn jeans, he looked like an ex-con who just happened to be built like a Mack truck.
“Linc!” Eloise shrieked from the bed, causing Sophie to whip around. The man ran toward the group and gently scooped Eloise into his arms without roughing up her injured arm.
“I’m so sorry, Lulu. I got here as fast as I could. I heard you were so brave,” Linc said as he swiped Eloise’s tears away with his giant paws.
Sophie was watching the whole interaction with worry and sadness until the man looked at her, grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze. She looked at Linc like he was the answer to all her prayers. It felt intimate, and I felt like even more of an interloper. Linc pulled a pack of markers out of his pocket before returning his full attention to Eloise.
“Okay, who do you want to sign it first? I thought we could all sign it, and then, if you’re up for it, Quinn and Mason are out in the waiting room. If that’s okay with Mom?”
“They came? To see me?” Eloise asked, looking shocked as tears welled in Sophie’s eyes.
“Of course, baby girl. They’re itching to get back here to make sure you’re okay. They’re all fighting over who gets to sign your cast first.”
The man looked up and gave a nod to Grandfather.
“Walt, good to see you. Wish it was under better circumstances.”
What is this?Grandfather only allowed Grandma Eloise and Sophie to call him Walt.Now this stranger has permission? Who is this man, and why is my entire family so comfortable around him?At that moment, I had the distinct feeling of being an outsider, unwelcome and undesired.
“Agreed, Lincoln, but our Lou is so strong. How are your parents doing?”
“Buying out the gift shop at the moment. They’ll be around the waiting room if you want to say hi before you leave.”
“Mimi is here?” Eloise asked as she sucked back tears.
“Of course. She couldn’t wait to see you.” At that, both Grandfather and Linc shot me a look as if it were a dig to me.
“Lou, my dear, do you want me to see if Mimi can come back and see you?” Grandfather asked, and Eloise nodded enthusiastically.
“Maxwell, come with me,” Grandfather demanded as he swept past me and out the door. I turned to look back at the room, where my daughter was safely wrapped up in another man’s arms with my ex-wife hovering by them. Grandfather cleared his throat, and I turned on my heel, walking beside him silently.
“When your father told me he was planning on marrying your mother, I had such high hopes. I truly believed they were in love the way I loved your grandmother. To say I am disappointed in how your mother has acted since my son’s death is putting it mildly. When you married Sophie, I once again hoped that some dignity and honor would return to our family name.”
