Page 45 of Awakened Desires

“I can imagine. What do you normally do?”

“Draw. Watch TV. Snack. Talk to you.”

“That’s just tonight.”

“It still counts.”

I can’t help but laugh. But as the happy sound fades, my brow furrows.

“There’s that anxious look again,” Quinn notes. “I’m sure Callan and the baby are fine.” His voice is back to normal now.

“It’s not that. Well, I guess it is.” I scratch my beard. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

“Of course not.”

“Living with narcolepsy can’t be easy.”

“It’s not.” His chin drops as he giggles. “That’s not a question.” His voice is slurred again like someone is turning a switch on and off.

“I’m getting to the question.”

He laughs harder. My stomach flips. Should I have made a joke?

His eyelids close slowly. He snaps them open again. “You might want to ask your question quickly.”

Even I’m having a hard time picking out his words. They’re running together like a bubbling stream.

“You always seem so happy. How do you manage it?”

Quinn shrugs. “Being angry won’t change anything.” His eyes drift shut. “So I let it go.”

“You make it sound easy.”

“It’s not.” He opens his eyes and stares at me. I can tell he’s struggling to keep them open. “It’s hard. And sometimes I’m angry. And I get frustrated because…because…”

“Because?”

“Because I’m not…” His head nods.

“It’s okay, Quinn. Go to sleep.”

“Not…in control.” A soft sigh escapes his lips, and his body relaxes.

I’m pretty sure he’s asleep. I retrieve the blanket Theo keeps stashed in here for film nights and lay it over Quinn.

I watch TV again, but it’s nowhere near as good a distraction as talking to Quinn.

My phone buzzes as the credits start to roll.

Callan:It’s a boy.

9

CALLAN

My head is spinning, and my hand is aching from being squeezed so tight. The baby has been given a health check, weighed, and cleaned, and is now suckling on Niamh’s milk-swollen breast. He is so beautiful. Tiny and perfect. I didn’t know I could feel so much overwhelming love for something so small.

We’ve been left alone in the delivery room. I expect Niamh and the baby will be moved to a ward soon so that the delivery room can be used by someone else. I don’t know if I’ll be able to go with them, as it’s the middle of the night. Niamh scowls as my phone beeps.