The front door wasn’t locked and I thought about chastising my mother for being so lax in security until I saw her hunched over form standing at the counter in the kitchen. Her dark head, with hair the same shade as mine, with the few wisps of grey that she refused to color was bowed down as she hastily wrote on a piece of paper. She was proud of her grey hair. Called them her victory stripes.
“Mom,” I called out, holding the screen door open so Garrett could follow me in. My mother looked over her shoulder and the look of relief on her face at the sight of me hit me square in the chest.
“Riley Boo,” she said and I could hear the bone deep tiredness in her voice. She crossed the small kitchen until I was wrapped in her arms, inhaling the familiar smell of her shampoo and her all-natural laundry detergent.
“Why aren’t you at the hospital? How’s Dad?” I asked, trying not to sound as panicked as I felt. Had something happened while I was on my way here? What if I was too late?
“Dad’s the same. He’s really out of it. He’s had a bunch of tests and the doctors say he has a blockage. They are going to do some more tests to see if he needs surgery. I had to come home and get a few things and then I’m heading back. Gavin and Felicity are with him.” My mom gave me a sad smile and touched my cheek.
“I’m coming back with you,” I said, grabbing Mom’s keys from her hand.
“Okay. That would be great. But aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend first?” my mother asked, looking behind me to Garrett. I had almost forgotten he was still there, standing quietly off to the side while I spoke with my mom.
Garrett came forward and held out his hand to Mom, who took it in hers. She didn’t shake it. She simply held it firmly between her palms. She was most likely trying to read his aura or something.
“I’m a friend of your daughter’s. My name is Garrett Bellows, ma’am. I offered to drive her up here after she got your phone call. I didn’t want her making the trip on her own,” he said and I could tell his answer pleased my mother.
“That’s very thoughtful of you, Garrett. Thank you so much for taking care of my Riley,” she said genuinely. Her eyes went back and forth between us and I knew she was trying to work out exactly what our relationship was.
“It was my pleasure. But I’d best be getting back on the road. I know you both need to get to the hospital,” Garrett said, already moving toward the door.
My mom stopped him. “You haven’t slept tonight, have you, Garrett?” she asked. Garrett looked at me then back to my mom and shook his head.
“But that’s okay. Nothing a little coffee can’t cure. I’ll be all right to get back to Bakersville,” he assured her but my mother was shaking her head.
“Absolutely not, young man. You will stay here and get some sleep. Get something to eat and then you can get on the road. But I will not allow you to leave until those things are done first,” she scolded him good naturedly but with a firmness that brooked no argument.
Garrett opened his mouth to protest but I cut him off. “Forget it, Garrett. Mom will shackle you to the bed if she has to. Just go take a load off. Get a few hours of sleep. Please. I know you’re tired,” I said.
Garrett seemed unsure but my mother took him by the arm and led him down the hallway.
Walking into the ICU, the first thing I was acutely aware of was the smell. God, hospitals reeked. The horrible scent of too much disinfectant and an overabundance of stress and grief stuck in the back of my throat. The waiting room was small, with a TV mounted to the wall playing CNN on mute. There were a few other people sat around looking as anxious as I felt. I briefly wondered what their story was.