Page 109 of Take My Name

Great.

“Doin’ what exactly?”

“She put on clean sheets and stocked your fridge with food from the restaurant. A couple lasagnas and some chicken cordon bleu.”

Well, shit, that sounds fucking delicious after only eating pudding cups and apple sauce.

“What about my chickens? Did she?—”

“Bodie did. He said he got everythin’ taken care of,” Dad replies, but there’s a hint of amusement in the way he says it.

That means the little shit stole my eggs.

Posey and Bellamy walk in giggling and looking suspicious.

“Where’d y’all go?” Dad asks.

“Sorry, we got distracted by all the cute doctors in the hallway.” Posey smirks, waggling her brows. “I think they’re doing rounds, but they should be doingmeinstead.”

“Wouldn’t be surprised if you got knocked up from the way one of ’em was starin’ at your ass.” Bellamy snorts.

“Girls…” Mom scolds.

“So glad we could have this little family reunion in my hospital room while I’m already sufferin’,” I deadpan, wishing I werealready home.

“Oh, lighten up…you’re alive and have all four limbs.” Posey pokes my arm.

“Too bad he didn’t lose his dull personality,” Bellamy taunts.

I groan, leaning back against the pillow. “Why’re you here again?”

“Dad made me.”

Figures.

Finally, the nurse returns with my discharge papers, and I’ve never signed anything faster. Of course they don’t let me walk out. I have to be wheeled out.

“I’ll get the truck and meet y’all at the front doors,” Dad says, giving Mom a quick kiss.

“Shotgun!” Posey calls out, following behind him.

“No way! Your choice in music sucks,” Bellamy calls, chasing after her.

“They’re not allowed in my house,” I mutter to my mom. “So please drop ’em off somewhere. Preferably the town over.”

She sits in the chair next to me. “Don’t let ’em fool ya. They were very worried about you.”

“Mhm.”

They were probably fighting over who’d get to move into my house if I died. If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on Posey. She’s little and petite, but she fights dirty. With us only being two years apart, we’d wrestle as kids and while I’d be careful not to hurt her, she’d bite my arm and shove her knee in my gut once I was distracted by the pain.

“So while we have a minute, tell me what’s goin’ on with Maisie and you.”

“Later, Mom.” I groan, not at all wanting to talk about it. At least not until I get to discuss things with her. After I signed the papers and left, I was fully prepared to never hear from heragain. I understood her points and didn’t want to stand in the way.

But when I heard her voice and felt her touch, I’ve never been more relieved. She cared enough to be here and even if we only get a few more days together, I’m taking them to spend every minute with her. I’d rather end things on a positive note than the way we did yesterday morning.

Warren