ASPEN
I find myself back on the third floor, and just like they have since he was admitted, my feet carry me back to Emmett’s room, against my better judgement.
At first, I couldn’t put my finger on why I felt the need to check on him. Honestly, I still can’t quite nail it down, but I’ve given up on overthinking it.
He needs a friend whether he wants one or not. And I’m the one he’s getting.
At least for as long as he’s trapped here. Because that’s exactly how he sees his situation. These walls are a cage. Sitting still is a punishment.
If he’s not watching the news, he’s staring out the window, and he fidgets nonstop when he’s awake, folding and unfolding the corner of his sheet, tapping on the bed rail.
It’s exhausting to watch.
From what Becky’s told me, he’s hell-bent on getting released, despite not being ready. Between the nightmares, his eagerness to return to the fire line, and his growing agitation, I’m worried he’s going to do something stupid and risk his health.
There’s obviously a lot I don’t know—the man is a cavern of secrets.
But a little fresh air and something to take his mind off being stuck here can’t hurt. Thankfully, the air quality has improved enough that it’s safe for him to join me.
So this is me, trusting my gut and doing for him what I hope someone would do for my brothers if they were in his shoes.
“Hey, Becky,” I say, setting the brown paper bag I’m carrying at the nurse’s station. “Is now still a good time for a jail break.”
She lifts her readers off her face, resting them on a bed of graying curls. “You really want to give up your lunch to spend time with such a grouch?”
“You’ll be singing a different tune when I bring him back in a better mood.”
Her eyes narrow. “What’s so special about Mr. Slate that he gets special treatment? I know it’s not his sparkling personality.”
There’s a mutual respect between us so I don’t take offense to her keeping me honest. I’d do the same for her. Still, I find myself wiping my palms on the front of my scrubs.
“He’s not that bad.”
She laughs, loudly. “Then tell me why none of the other nurses want to deal with him, but you’re here, looking to spendmoretime with him.”
Grumpy? Absolutely. Misunderstood? For sure.
He’s the asshole he wants everyone to think he is, but I’m not convinced.
Before I’m able to figure out how to answer her honestly, she moves on. “Even knows he’s a pain in the ass. This morning, when I came to take vitals, he said, ‘You must really suck at picking straws if you drew the short one again today.’”
I frown. “You’re just as cranky.”
She snickers. On a bad day, Becky is scarier than Emmett could ever dream of being.
“Maybe, but someone has to keep him humble.”
“You don’t get that good at putting up walls without a reason.”
She glances at his closed door. “True enough. No one is born miserable. Circumstances make them that way.”
Life hasn’t been kind to Emmett, but I can be.
“He’s still cleared for supervised ambulation, right?”
“Yes, but don’t think I didn’t notice how you skirted my question.”
You and I both.
