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“I told Lilly that Georgie could be trusted,” Aiden says pointedly to his sister.
“Let me remind you that you’re the one who said he’d burn down the restaurant,” I remind my brother.
“He did burn it down once.” Aiden laughs.
Boone’s eyes go big and he swallows. “Wait! Really?”
Laughing, I nod. “He caught a towel on fire getting too close to the open flame on the gas range. Charles lit into him good and he’s not gotten near the range since.”
Boone chuckles and Aiden snickers. While we eat, Lori comes in to check on Aiden’s IV bags holding all his anti-infective agents because his blood cells still aren’t bouncing the way they want. She scoffs that pizza isn’t the healthiest thing for her boy but then takes a slice when Boone offers. She leaves and returns with three apples, extracting promises that we’ll eat them after for dessert to balance out.
“Come on, kid,” Boone says after we’re finished and he disposes of the pizza box. “Let’s go for a walk outside. It’s nice out.” Boone then looks at me. “Want to join?”
I shake my head. I mean, I do, but I also want Aiden to have time away from me. I don’t want to be a hovering sister. “You two go on. I’ll get some more work done.”
They get Aiden’s shoes on, the IV pole unplugged, but as they’re walking out the door, I say, “Bring your apples and eat them.”
Boone grabs them from the tray, tossing me one. “You got to eat yours too.”
I hold it up for him to see me take a big bite, smiling at him as I chew. He winks, then they’re gone.
Opening my laptop back up, I ponder the employee schedule while I eat the apple. My mind drifts to Boone, which seems to happen a lot these days. He’s become almost a normal part of our lives and yet I’m still sometimes starstruck by him. When I consider all the things he’s done for us—and for me—it feels like I have a bit of a crush on him. Like I want to burst into giggles or shy smiles when he’s near, which is utterly ridiculous. I don’t have time for anything like that, and besides… Boone is just being a good friend. He’s driven by charity, philanthropy and a good heart. He’s also gorgeous, famous and could have a supermodel for a girlfriend if he wanted. He’s not interested in me that way, nor would he ever be.
We’re firmly in the friend zone, that’s for sure.
Finished with my apple, I dispose of the core, wash my hands and put Boone out of my mind by looking at the catering requests we have coming up, double-checking to make sure I’ll have all the food items and supplies in stock. It’s a balancing act of timing and expiration dates, and I’m always scared I’m going to screw something up.
I’m deep in thought when my phone rings. I don’t consider ignoring it as it could be the deli, but I’m surprised when I see it’s the medical rehab center where my father is.
I quickly connect the call. “Hello? Dad?”
“Hey, Lilly,” he says, his voice a little shaky.
“Are you okay?” I exclaim.
“Yeah… fine. Having some hard days, but it’s expected. I wanted to check in on Aiden.”
I frown because calls out aren’t allowed, although I’ve been providing daily updates via email and phone to his counselor to pass on to my dad. “He’s doing great. His labs are looking good. His bone marrow isn’t recovering the way they want, so at least a few more weeks in the hospital they think.”
“At least the leukemia’s gone.” He sounds tired and slightly disconnected.
“What’s going on? Why are you calling?”
He inhales and his voice quavers. “Um… Mary doesn’t think I’m ready for an outpatient program.”
“Oh.” This startles me and I don’t know what to say. My dad wanted outpatient so he could come back and see Aiden, which I was all for. But I’m not opposed to inpatient if that’s his best chance. “I think you need to do the program that works for you. Aiden is doing fine and I’ve got everything under control.”
“That’s why I’m calling,” he admits with relief. “I’ve got my counselor here. I’m going to put you on speakerphone.”
“Lilly?” a woman’s voice says, and I recognize it.
“Hi Mary,” I reply. We’ve talked a few times since Dad started rehab last week so I could keep her updated on Aiden and she could pass on assurances.
“Your dad is almost through the detox. He’s doing very well, but we’re both evaluating his ability to maintain sobriety via outpatient. He’s a little unsure of himself—having too much responsibility for his sobriety outside of the program. I feel like he should do at least two weeks of inpatient but he really wants to get back home.”
I can read between the lines of what Mary’s saying. She needs me to side with her on this. “Dad… I think you should listen to Mary. Coming back before you’re ready isn’t going to be good. Even though Aiden is doing well, it’s still very stressful. I don’t want you in an environment that could set you back.”
“I don’t want to disappoint Aiden,” my dad blurts out.
