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Levi
With some coaxing, I was able to convince the doctor that Charlee was not a suicide risk so they would discharge her. There was a part of me that wasn’t convinced I should be covering for her and that maybe Charlee needed to be under a seventy-two-hour watch. I mean, the doctor assumed it was a purposeful drowning considering the severity of the storm, so shouldn’t I be worried, too? I had been concerned before, but she seemed so much better yesterday. Maybe it was just an honest lapse in judgment. She had obviously planned to spread Bridger’s ashes today and didn’t expect the worst storm in a century to interrupt those plans.
Genesis hadn’t left Charlee’s side, but I wanted to talk to her about the next steps. I needed to know that Charlee would be in good hands if she didn’t want those hands to be mine.
“Genesis, can I talk to you outside?” I whispered.
She nodded and followed me out. I closed the door, leaving just a little crack so it didn’t make any noise.
She crossed her arms and rubbed them. We were both still pretty wet and had been sitting here for hours now.
“You can go back and change. I’ll be here.”
She smiled. “Maybe I will. Thanks. Was that it?”
My jaw tensed. “No,” I admitted. “The doctor wanted to keep her for a seventy-two-hour psychiatric hold.”
“What?” She dropped her arms.
“I mean, is it that surprising? She went out in that.” I pointed at a window where the storm was still raging.
She rubbed her forehead. “Shoot, I guess not. She has seemed off, but we had been having a good time, and she’s opened up so much with me. She even seemed like she was going to take me up on my offer to move back to Nashville with me.” She paused. “Which is probably why she was acting like everything was okay, because she didn’t want us to suspect anything.” She grimaced. “I’m such an idiot.”
My body drew tight at the thought of Charlee moving so far away from me, but it would be better than her living alone. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. I missed the signs, too.” I looked to the floor. “Do you think she’ll move with you?” In all honesty, I didn’t want to hear the answer because I felt like I already knew.
Genesis glanced back at the hospital room. “I don’t think I’m going to give her a choice after this. Even if it’s just temporary, she needs to get out of here.”
I could manage temporary. “I think you’re right. After we get her back to the trailer, we should talk to her about it.”
“We?” She raised an eyebrow. “That’s really cute and all, Levi, but you’ve known her for like two weeks. I’ve known her my whole life. I think I should talk to her alone,” she said sympathetically.
I nodded, but I could have argued that she had disappeared from Charlee’s life for twenty years and so really had known present day Charlee for less time than me, but I kept my mouth shut. In the end, Charlee would probably feel more comfortable with an old friend anyway. “Sorry, you’re right.”
She placed a gentle hand on my arm. “You’re really sweet, Levi, and I can tell she likes you and you’ve been good for her right now. Don’t be sorry for caring about her. I really appreciate it.” And then she paused and took in a small breath. “But I do think that what she needs right now is a friend and not a complication.”
Was she calling me a complication? What the hell? I stepped back from her reach. “I’m going to try to not be offended by that, because I know you are only trying to protect her, but I am her friend, not a complication.” I stood my ground.
“Okay. I’m sorry. We’ll get her back to the trailer, and we’ll see what she wants, then we’ll go from there. Does that work for you?” she asked carefully.
It sounded fair, and ultimately, it was up to Charlee and what was in her best interest, so I agreed. I knew everything was going to change, and there was a strong possibility this would be my last few days with Charlee. The thought made me anxious in a way I wasn’t expecting.
“Yeah, that works,” I answered even though I wanted to argue against her logic, but it wasn’t unfounded, and I needed to accept the fact that Charlee and I barely knew each other.
We took Charlee back to the trailer after she was discharged. Beverly was there, watching Midnight as promised.
“Oh, dear, I’m so glad you’re okay,” Beverly cried as she pulled Charlee into a hug.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” Charlee whispered hoarsely.
“I’m going to get you some food from the café.”
“Charlee can only have soft foods right now,” Genesis interjected like a protective mom.
“Soup and smoothies, it is,” Beverly responded as she made her way out.
I hung back and followed Genesis’ lead, not wanting to step on any toes.
“I’m going to take her back to shower,” Genesis said.
