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“Well, I know what to order for your birthday.”He closed the magazine and dropped it onto the table wedged between the two uninviting chairs.“How is she?”
“Surprisingly well.Mostly grumpy at the fact she can’t change the TV channel.”
Rick started for the exit and I fell into step beside him.He caught my hand in his, and I tangled our fingers.
“Thank you for staying.”
“‘Course.Anyone would.”
“No, you’re wrong about that.Not everyone would.”I squeezed his hand.“I’m grateful.”
He pressed the button for the lift and it whirred as the cables worked behind the shiny gray doors.
“You’re welcome,” he said softly.
We walked out of the hospital and to the long stay parking lot in silence, still holding hands.
Rick was a steady, warm presence beside me and, for a long moment, I allowed myself to fantasize that this was my life and that I got to curl up beside him after a long day.
Pathetic.I’d known him what, five minutes?
I needed to get a serious grip on myself, but Aunt Laurie’s injury had been such a shock that I didn’t have the energy to tell myself off right now.
Rick unlocked his truck with the key fob and opened the passenger door for me.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Once a Southern boy, always a Southern boy.”
I dropped into the comfy seat with a big sigh.
He started the engine.The evening sun slanted through the window and bathed his koi carp tattoo in rays of gold.
“I’m so glad your aunt is okay.How’d she do it?”
“Trying to reach something on the top shelf of the bakery.She slipped off the footstool.Thank goodness the window cleaner was passing, or she’d have been alone there for God knows how long!”I scrubbed my hands over my face.“It’s just a reminder that she’s getting older.You know?When I was young, Aunt Laurie was this superwoman.Invincible.In that bed, she seemed small.”
Rick navigated us out of the parking lot and onto the highway.“It’s a hell of a thing, ain’t it?When your elders suddenly become human?They’re not meant to have weaknesses.”
“Exactly!They’re meant to always be there.”
He reached across the space between us and took my hand, intertwining our fingers.“My dad had a stroke ‘round about the time Jenny got left high an’ dry by her ex.Those two things led me to drop out of the Army.My family needed me.It was a tough time.”
Sympathy for him made my chest tight.“I’m sorry.”
He lifted one shoulder in a half shrug.“I don’t regret it.”
“Were you career Army?Jenny said you were a Staff Sergeant.”
“Yeah, I guess I was in it for the long haul.”He took a deep breath, and I watched his chest move as he did so.“I’m not anymore.I did it to travel, expand my horizons.Get outta bumfuck, Kentucky, you know?Made some friends I’ll have for life, but on the whole, it’s good to be back here.I was ready.I wanted to look after my folks when they need it.I was worried that Jenny’s douchebag ex might come after her, an’ Toby.I wanted to be here.For them.”
It was more words than he’d spoken in a row since we’d met and I listened greedily.I wanted to learn everything there was to learn.
“You’re a great brother.And son.”
He smiled.He didn’t bother to deny it, but he also didn’t say anything faux-modest, likeI try.He just accepted the compliment.It was refreshing.
“This way, I get to see Toby grow.It wouldn’t be the same, only hangin’ out with him on leave, seeing him every couple’a years.”
