Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“I feel like I should’ve insisted we stay in Los Angeles.”
My dad comes and sits by me. I lean into him and lose myself in his cologne. He’s worn the same one since I’ve known him. It’s comfort. It’s home. “I’m scared. I’m scared he’s not going to wake up or that when he does, there’s so much damage he can’t recover.”
“I know, sweetie. All we can do is hope and pray the doctors caught the sepsis in time and he’ll be okay.”
“If you’re out here, who’s in with my son?”
Brenda’s snarky voice rings out over the waiting room. Thankfully, it’s empty so no one else has to listen to her.
“Hi, Brenda,” I say, trying to sound pleased that she’s here. “It’s nice to see you again.”
She looks at my dad and smiles. My stomach twists. I will never let Brenda be alone in a room with my dad or even Liam or Jimmy. I know she’d try something and when rebuffed, she’d freak out. She’s untrustworthy. I know she’s Ben’s mom and has every right to be here, but having her here makes me sick to my stomach.
“Stop with the niceties,” she says. “I know you don’t like me.”
Because you just love me.
“You’re Ben’s mother. Of course, I like you.”
She scoffs.
I look down and see her suitcase. Either she didn’t book a hotel, or she came right here. I’m going to think her son means more to her than anything, and she came here from the airport because I’ll be damned if she thinks she’s sleeping in Ben’s room.
“It’s good to see you, Brenda,” my dad says, and she lights up. I get it. Most people are charmed by him. Still to this day, my mom will say my dad can charm her out of her socks with just one word or wink. Of course, these are things a daughter doesn’t want to hear, but I’m happy for my parents.
“Won’t you come sit,” he suggests. Brenda takes the seat across from us and makes eyes at my dad. I swear I can see her eyes turn into hearts.
“Ben’s getting a bath right now,” I tell her, breaking her concentration. “When he’s done, the nurse will let me know.”
“Us,” she says as she gives me a pointed look.
“Right.” I look away from her, unable to engage her in her antics.
“I want to know what you’re doing about his healthcare.”
“What do you mean?” I ask her.
“He was in one of the best hospitals in the country and you moved him here, and now he’s sick. I looked up what he has on the web. He’s going to die from it.”
“He won’t die,” my dad butts in. “The doctor is certain they caught it in time and before the infection did any real damage.”
“Certain is not matter-of-fact,” Brenda fires back and she’s right.
“You’re absolutely right, Brenda.” As much as I hate saying it, I want to give her credit for looking things up about her son’s illness. She deserves that much. “We can only go by what the doctor says, and he feels like Ben has a strong chance of recovering with little to no side effects. Of course, only time will tell, but he’ll have care, regardless. As for being here—it’s what Ben wanted. After the first infection in his port, he didn’t want to stay in Los Angeles or Malibu and asked that we come here. He’s happy in Beaumont. It’s where he’s comfortable. And while Beaumont General may not have the best of everything, Ben does because I make sure of it. The doctor here has been in constant contact with his oncologist and urologist. I can assure you I’m not taking any of this lightly and I only want the best for Ben.” I finish what feels like a sermon and close my eyes. I’m tired. Exhausted. The ICU doesn’t like overnight visitors but when you promise to make a sizable donation, they seem to forget you’re in the room. Only, there isn’t a place to sleep, and the only option is a chair.
“The best for Ben?” Brenda shakes her head. “The best for Ben was when I was taking care of him. Everything was fine until you showed up and started waving your money around. Ben, Brad, and I were doing just fine. I would’ve made sure he made all his appointments.”
“You couldn’t even keep the house clean.” I sit up a bit straighter. “You expected me to pay for a cleaning service because you felt it wasn’t your job. The house was a walking Petrie dish of crap because you and Brad refused to clean up after yourselves. I don’t want to hear that you would’ve taken care of Ben because we both know that isn’t true. You didn’t even take care of him in high school, you certainly weren’t going to take care of him now.”