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She dips her head. “You should know, Mason. I told you plenty of times.”
I lift her chin, and we make eye contact. “Quality time?”
She nods. “Quantity matters too.”
I rest my forehead against hers. “I’m sorry.” I wish I could change. I do. I don’t know how yet. And I can’t give Lauren empty promises. She deserves better than that. Actions speak louder than words. Gran always drilled that into me.
10
LAUREN
It’s another glorious day at the rapids, with the sun glistening off the waters surrounded by green riverbanks. But I’m freezing from assisting another tourist who had slipped from the back of the boat when their partner steered in the wrong direction.
I towel my hair in the changerooms and slip on a sweater even though it’s meant to be a warm day. Digging in my tote bag, I find my phone and switch it on to discover three missed calls from Mason. He should know by now that I have my phone off during work hours. What’s with all the calls? A lump forms in my throat.
Gran.
I click on his name and hold the phone to my ear while rubbing the chill out of my arm.
“Lauren,” he puffs.
Air swooshes into the receiver. Is he jogging?
“I’ve just arrived at the hospital. Gran’s in the ER.”
My phone nearly slips as my legs buckle. “What’s wrong?”
“She’s had heart palpitations, and they’re running tests. Dad had his phone off during a meeting in the city, but he’s on his way now. I tried to call you half an hour ago.”
“I’ve finished work now. I’ll come straight away.”
“Thanks. I need you here.” His voice cracks with emotion, and my heart breaks for him.
“Of course. I’ll be there. See you soon.”
I shove my belongings in my tote bag and peel out of the parking lot in my faithful Toyota Yaris.
When I enter the hospital, the scent of sanitizer and lemon greet me. I look left and right in the foyer. Would she be in a room by now? I’m not officially family, so will they let me into the ER?
Mason notices me down the green hallway, and he jogs toward me. Without permission, my legs run to him, and we meet in a tight embrace.
Mason buries his face into my hair and cups the back of my head. He’s breathing me in like I’m his oxygen. My hand rubs circles over his back, and we stay like this for at least a minute.
“Thanks for coming so quickly.” My hair muffles his words.
I pull back and look up at him. “I want to be here.” I stretch up on my tippy toes and give him a peck on the mouth. It comes naturally to me, as we always kissed after a long hug.
He doesn’t react like I’ve breached some boundary but hugs me again. “I hope she’s going to be okay.”
“What have they told you?”
He pulls back and takes my hand. “Follow me. They said they’ll have an update soon.”
We stride down the corridor, hand in hand, as nurses and doctors pass us. We make it to a nurse’s station. A woman in scrubs peers up at Mason. “How can I help you?”
“I’m Jean Brooker’s grandson. Is there an update yet? Are we allowed to see her?”
The nurse taps on her keyboard and nods. “You can go in.” She looks at me. “Are you related too?”
