Page 38 of Sleigh My Heart

Nick crushed his water bottle. How long does it take to set a cast?

Michelle left ninety minutes ago. The surgeon came out thirty minutes after to tell him his father was being wheeled into recovery where they would be setting his cast. Then, Nick would be able to see him.

“Mr. Jolley?” A nurse stood in the doorway.

“Yes.” Nick jumped up.

“You can follow me.” He held the door open. As Nick reached the door, he said, “Your father is awake but groggy.”

His father’s post-op room was one of a dozen that circled a central desk. A handful of medical personnel worked at the nurse’s station. The sound of beeps and chatter from the staff faded into the background when the nurse pulled the curtain aside.

Nick’s dad lay in a reclining position. The color of his complexion was almost as white as the bandage on his head. A blue sling covered the cast on his upper arm.

Nick’s stomach sank. In twenty-years of military service, he’d seen it all. Lost friends and brothers in arms, but not one of them came to mind. No, the image that flooded his mind was the one of his mom. It was in this same hospital, where he watched his mother take her last breath. She may have been injured on duty when the car hit her, but she died here with her family at her side.

“Nick,” a weak whisper slipped from across the room.

Nick almost didn’t recognize his father’s voice. He moved closer and reached for his father’s hand. His fingers shook.

Shit. He fisted his hand and closed his eyes. Get it together, Jolley.

Cold fingers feathered over his tight fist. Tears stung the back of Nick’s eyes.

“Son.” The haze in his dad’s eyes gave Nick pause.

“Are you in pain? Should I call the nurse?”

“Not bad. I still have the good drugs swimming in my veins.” His father gave a weak smile.

Russ Jolley, always seeing the bright side of things. Nick loved that about him, but right now, he needed to take care of his dad. To do that, Nick needed to look at all the sides, not just the sunny parts. “What happened?”

“I got hit by a car.”

“I know. Where were you going dressed as Santa?”

“The children’s ward at the hospital.” He raised his uninjured hand to circle the room.

“Why were you walking?”

He touched his head then flinched. “I don’t remember.”

“Dad, are you taking CBD oil?”

Russ’s face wrinkled. “What?”

“You know, the oil made from hemp?”

“Pot? No. Well, I tried it in college.” His voice trailed off.

He could see his father was fading. “You need sleep. We can talk about it tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Russ closed his eyes. “Sleep sounds good, but I’m hungry. Can I get a snack?”

“Sure Dad, I’ll ask the nurse on my way out.”

“Uh huh. Oh, can you bring me the cookies?”

“You want cookies? Sure.”