Leo’s mom turned from him to his father. “Now, Howard, we’re not supposed to be complaining about things like getting down here. We’re here to make sure Leo’s all right. It’s not about you.”
He harrumphed. “You’re right, as always, dear. Leo, we’re so sorry this happened to you. Did they catch the guy?”
“They did,” Leo said, glad for the change of subject to keep his parents from arguing in the hospital room. “Actually, Felix and Julie beat on him until the cops arrived to take him away.”
His father’s bushy gray eyebrows rose. “Really? Felix, I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“You’d be surprised,” Felix muttered.
“Well, I don’t care who did it or how. I’m just glad you’re still here with us.” Handing her purse to his father, his mother claimed his other hand.
For a moment it felt weird having Aud holding one hand and his mother holding the other. Then it crossed his mind that even though he’d told his mother about Aud, they hadn’t actually been introduced. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you guys to meet Aud. He’s the one I told you about on the phone recently.”
His mother looked across him and smiled. “Nice to meet you, Aud. I’m Debbie. You’re just as handsome as Leo said you were.”
Heat rose in Leo’s face. “Mom.”
“Well, you did and he is.” She tsked. “Never mind that. I’m very pleased to find you at Leo’s bedside. It makes a mother feel much better when her son’s romantic interest proves to be caring. Leo hasn’t always had the best of luck with that in the past.”
Leo fought the urge to roll his eyes and suddenly wished his parents had opted to stay home and just get reports from Julie as to his condition.
“I do hope I prove to be much better than the men in Leo’s past.” Aud flashed his wide, bright smile at them. It was the smile that had stopped Leo’s heart more than once in the past couple of weeks. “Besides, they’re in the past and I’m his present and, I hope, future.”
“That would be good.” Leo’s mother smiled back at him. “You’ll be a lot better to look at across the Thanksgiving dinner table than a few of the people who’ve been there. Uncle Bryan, for example.”
“Mom,” Leo objected again. “Can we not talk about stuff like that here? We’re in a hospital room.”
“So I noticed,” she replied. “But what else are we supposed to discuss? I didn’t figure you’d want to talk the whole time about the guy who attacked you. You have a really boring job…. You know, most of the time I completely forget what you do for a living, beyond answering phones.”
Leo looked at Aud, hoping for a rescue. “Mom, what were you doing today before Julie called you? It’s the weekend. Did you get your hair done? It looks very pretty.”
She ran her hand through her hair, the same reflexive gesture she’d always had when someone complimented her. “Yesterday. Since we’re both retired now, it’s easier to go to the beauty shop during the week. There’re fewer crowds.”
Julie giggled. “I can’t wait to be able to do that. I hate the crowds on the weekend. It’s just awful.”
Leo was thankful for Julie distracting his mother. For the better part of an hour, they chatted while the men in the room sat around in an odd quiet, like they were afraid to say anything for fear of what they would set off with the women. Then a nurse came in.
“Okay, we’ve got too many people in here.” She gave them all a stern frown. “Mr. Caldwell needs some rest. Why don’t you all go down to the cafeteria? Give him a couple of hours; then you can come back.” She glanced at her watch. “That will give you an hour or so before visiting hours end.”
A wave of fatigue flowed through Leo and he yawned.
His mother bent over him and gave him another kiss on his forehead. “Dear, we’ll go find a hotel room.”
“Mom, I’m going to be fine. You don’t have to stay.”
She waved away his comment. “Nonsense. We’ve got nothing better to do. We’ll be here until you’re back on your feet.” She gave his hand a parting squeeze. “Come on, Howard. We’ll go get settled and come back before visiting hours are done.”
His father waved from the door. “We’ll see you all later. Nice meeting you, Aud.”
“You too, Mr. Caldwell.” Aud waved back as he stood from the bedside. He glanced down at Leo. “I guess I should leave too. But I’ll be back in a bit.”
Leo looked at the nurse. “Do they all have to leave? Can Aud stay?”
Her frown deepened. “You need your rest, Mr. Caldwell. If we let one of them stay, your mother might come back.”
Her words gave Leo a sudden revelation. “You’ve been listening to her go on, haven’t you?”
The nurse looked at the floor. “Let’s just say that other than this room, the ward is rather slow this afternoon. Let’s clear everyone out and if folks drift back one by one, I don’t see a reason to have a problem with it, as long as everything stays fairly quiet. I enjoy easy days… if you get my drift.”