AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ve booked a room in the hotel. If you give them my name…”
She takes my hand as I search for my keys. “I can come with you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I’d like to. I mean, I can’t drive your car or anything because it scares the shit out of me, but I can hold your hand or…I don’t know.” She’s oozing compassion and tenderness, and I can’t help but take it.
The car ride is quiet for the most part. I get a call from Grayson telling me Dad’s been taken to the hospital.
The perpetual silence that follows is more burdening than anything I’ve ever felt. It allows fear to sink right in and wreak havoc with all my foundations. But she’s there with me, and it’s impossible not to let her into all the places I’ve tried to keep her out of.
The hospital is quiet, it’s nothing like the New York modern giant Dad was taken to when he had the stroke. But the staff are kind and quick to point us in the right direction.
Grayson’s pacing up and down the long white and gray hall as we walk in, and Fran is sitting on a chair that’s clearly been put outside Dad’s hospital room for her. Eyes red and face tear-streaked, she’s impassive.
“You can wait with me,” Grayson tells Ava. Reluctantly, she releases my hand with one of her lip-biting smiles.
All I want is to bring her with me. I just want to hold on to her. Instead, I hold on to Fran. We stand outside Dad’s room and watch as the doctors talk to him and Mom.
The only relief is that Dad is awake and he’s talking. He’s okay, and the world finally stops spinning too fast for me to gather myself. I can breathe.
“See?” I draw Fran into my side. “I told you, it’s okay.”
She nods, pushing away from me. “You didn’t see it. You didn’t see him.”
“Francesca…”
Walking back the way I just came, she looks exhausted. I don’t bother arguing with her over her pessimism. I let her go, because she will come back. Like Fran always does.
The doctors leave, and Mom settles Dad. I sit with them for a while listening to what happened and why.
“So, it’s just low blood pressure?”
“Yes.” Mom pats my knee. “The meds he’s taking were too strong, but the specialist is coming to see your father tomorrow morning to review everything.”
“Honestly, I’m fine. I’m just sorry I scared our Franny.” He winks at the door.
“You’re not funny!” she growls from the doorway.
“Bring it in, kid.” He pats the bed beside me, and with a sulk she ambles over, sitting next to him.
He wraps his arm around her shoulders, and in spite of looking frail, he comforts her. Like he would Mom and me.
“You’re really okay?”
“Yes,” he tells her.
“You scared the shit out of me,” I grumble, my heart still trying to slow to its normal rhythm.
“Yeah,” Mom sighs, standing. “Apparently assholism runs in the family.”
“That’s not a word,” I tell her as she shoos us off the bed and pulls the covers over Dad.
“Out with both of you.” Mom walks us out of the room. “You—” She points at Fran. “—go home and put those feet up. Stooge one—” Pinching my chin, she winks. “—you make sure she does as she’s told, and stop worrying. Okay?”
“Mom…”
“He’s fine. It was a dizzy spell.” She takes a deep breath. “We’re staying so the specialist can see him first thing. Now go on, get out of here.”
