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I could just shut the marina down for a few months until Dad gets better. I should go back to my marine studies and make some money to help save the marina.
I slowly walked to the truck and went to take care of my father.
“Hey, you guys, you have no idea how much I appreciate you staying with him,” I said from the doorway of his room. “You still have that pizza?”
“Not only do we still have it, we ordered a fresh one that will be here in a few minutes.” Bobby pulled me into a chair. “Allen said the power is out at the marina.”
“Yeah, it’s ok. I’m not there at night, anyway, and I don’t need power to take tours out.” I smiled. “How long has he been sleeping?”
“Pretty much since you left. The nurse said Dr. Johnson ordered more meds and, once those started, the tremens have stopped.” Lucy smiled back at me. “Don’t you have to pick up the band tonight?”
“Yes, I do, in three hours.” I leaned back and closed my eyes. “I have to do it. I have no money left to run that marina.”
“What are you gonna do, honey?” Lucy knelt in front of me. “Admiral is gonna need a lot of recovery and you have a great career, Dr. Campbell. Maybe it’s time to give in.”
“I won’t give in, Lucy, but I was thinking about shutting down for a few months.” I stood and walked over to hold my dad’s hand. “He’s gonna need it when he gets done with rehab.”
“And what do you need and deserve?” Lucy asked.
“I need my father healthy. Then, I will deserve to go back to my career.” I laid my palm on his forehead. “Has he been shaking or feverish?”
“He was earlier, but Tommy added more medications to his IV.” Lucy gave me a side hug. “Why don’t you go in that bathroom and grab a quick shower. By then, the pizza will be here.”
“I do feel miserable. If you don’t mind, I think I will.” I gave her a full hug, grabbed my bag, and went to get a shower.
“Jade, the pizza is here, so hurry up,” Lucy called from outside the bathroom door.
“I’ve only been in here ten minutes,” I called back, laughing. “I’m hurrying, I’m hurrying.”
“You better. Bobby is still hungry, so this pizza may not be here much longer,” she called back.
I pushed the bathroom door open with a towel around my head to find Bobby and Lucy pretending to have eaten all the pizza.
“You do know I’ll find where you hid it,” I chuckled, and casually walked around the room, looking. “I wonder if, perhaps, Dad is watching over it for me.”
“We have no idea what you’re talking about. I did tell you to hurry.” Lucy wiped her face with a napkin. “The second pizza was delicious, though. Should we order another one?”
“Bobby, I haven’t forgotten how ticklish you are.” I stood in front of him, trying not to laugh. “Don’t make me use that against you.”
We all turned to see Dr. Johnson as he pushed through the door and froze.
“This scene is very familiar to me.” He crossed his arms in front of himself. “Yes, very familiar, except Bobby isn’t crying this time.”
“That’s not what happened, Tommy, and you know it,” Bobby objected. “I spilled my drink when she tickled me.”
“Yes, that is what you’ve been saying all these years.” Tommy walked over to Admiral’s bedside. “I feel like you better give in to whatever she’s getting ready to attack you about.”
I lunged at Bobby, sending him falling back into the recliner behind him.
“It’s in the drawer by the bed.” Bobby put his hands up to block my advances. “This is how you act when I come here to help you?”
“It smells like pizza in here, and Jade has always had a big appetite. So, if you’re holding out on her, you might not be able to be saved.” Tommy pulled the sheet back to look at Dad’s leg. “The leg is looking good as far as no infection, but we’re going to have to get him up and moving tomorrow.”
“What about the withdrawal? You said you wanted to keep him sedated.” I pulled two slices of pizza out of the drawer and handed Tommy one. “Can’t you just have a physical therapist work with his leg while he sleeps?”
“I’ll reassess in the morning, but he’s doing pretty good with the withdrawal.” Tommy took the slice of pizza. “The meds I added earlier will keep him sleeping until tomorrow morning, so get some rest.”
“Thanks, Tommy. He’s gonna be mad when he wakes up, isn’t he?” I asked. “He’s had a real bad temper lately.
