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“What was it?” Gator asked, leaning forward.
Sylvie laughed. “It was when I told you not to waste time thinking about girls and start chasing your dreams instead.”
Gator raised an eyebrow. “And what did I say?”
“You said, ‘You need to chase your dreams too’ and not let anyone chase them away.”
Gator’s expression softened, and he reached across to take Sylvie’s hand. “That was good advice, Sylv. We all could see what your dream was. Your passion.”
Sylvie looked melancholic for a moment. “Yeah, playing baseball. But I never pursued it as I should have, and I regret it to this day.”
“That’s a damn shame,” Gator said, his voice low. “I remember watching you on the field. Everyone knew you had an exceptional talent. Marvin was just jealous because he knew you could hit the ball farther than he ever could.”
Sylvie nodded. “Yeah, he did everything in his power to stop me from playing, even made us move from the parish. I missed you so much, Gator. You were like a little brother I never had.”
Gator’s expression twisted in distaste. “Ugh, I don’t like the sound of that. Lover, maybe. But not little brother.”
“Lover?” Sylvie echoed him, her voice catching.
Gator grinned. “What were we talking about again? Dreams? Passion?”
She smiled and nodded.
“You’ve always been my best dream, Sylv.” She blushed. He didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. Marvin had done enough of that in her life, so he decided to change the subject. She knew how he felt now, anyway.
“Hey, want to know what my latest dream is?” he asked.
“Your latest? I’m not sure. I might be disappointed now that it’s not me.”
“It’ll always be you.” She seemed relieved. “It involves you, me, a ride to somewhere private...” Her eyes widened with anticipation. He continued, “A blanket on the ground...”
“I’m liking this,” she said. “Tell me more.”
Before either could say another word, her cellphone rang, and he saw the look of fear on her face.
When she finished the call, having barely spoken, she told Gator, “I’ve got to go. It’s urgent.”
“What is it?”
“Paw’s in the hospital.”
“What happened?”
“I’m not sure. Sorry, I gotta go.” As she grabbed her keys and dashed out the door, Gator was left standing in the house. He didn’t even know which hospital her father was in, but as he walked outside, he flicked the latch and pulled the door closed behind him.
21
Sylvie’s handsgripped the steering wheel as she drove to the hospital, her eyes flicking nervously between the road ahead and the rearview mirror. She couldn’t shake the image of her father, Pierre, lying motionless in a hospital bed. Over the years, he’d suffered several heart attacks, and she lived in constant fear that one day they’d find him dead, leaving her mother heartbroken and adrift.
Pierre knew about Marvin’s unwelcome return to Sylvie’s life, and the problems he’d been causing her. She had tried to keep it a secret, but the truth had inadvertently slipped out during a conversation, leaving her father deeply troubled.
As her car sped through the streets, Sylvie couldn’t help but wonder what had triggered this latest attack...if it was an attack. She hoped it wasn’t stress over Marvin that had pushed him over the edge. If only Pierre knew that Marvin would never be a problem again.
Her thoughts raced, and a wave of panic washed over her as she realized she hadn’t told Gator which hospital she was headed to before rushing out the door. She’d have to call him when she got there. But then it dawned on her: in her haste, she’d left her cellphone on the dining room table. To make matters worse, she didn’t know Gator’s number by heart...it was stored in her contacts, now frustratingly out of reach. She was left with no way of reaching him, and no way for him to reach her.
Sylvie’s mind was a whirlwind of worry and regret.
When Ouida had called, her voice had been shaky, and she seemed unsure of what exactly was happening with her husband. Sylvie surmised that her mother was in shock, as the bond between her parents was deep and unwavering.
