She had known her parents loved her and each other. And she had known that Walt loved her. Had Walt’s love as her older brother been the extra cover of protection for her? Had it acted as just enough of an added buffer for her to make up the difference between them?
Or maybe they were just different people who made different choices. Either way, she wanted to help him.
He opened his eyes and saw her there.
“Grace,” he said. He sat up a little straighter in the bed and a smile came to his face, slowed by the pain in his stitches. “You came.”
She took a step toward him. “I wanted to see you.”
“Did you get my letter?” he asked.
“I haven’t read it yet.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t remember a lot. I think I hurt you.”
She hesitated. There was no point in shielding him from his actions. Not if she wanted him to change. “You did,” she said. “But I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad Lillie found you and brought you in.”
He shook, his thin hands tremoring, and sweat was pouring down his face. He grimaced.
“Does it hurt terribly?’ she asked.
“The withdrawal is agony,” he said. “I apologize if I throw up on you.”
“It’s worth it if it makes you better,” she said.
He was quiet. He looked out the window, his mouth twitching. “For the first time in a long time, I actually want to.”
“What happened?” she asked. “Why were you fighting?”
“I got into it with someone,” Walt said. “About money. About the drugs. It’s all blurry. I don’t remember much after I started throwing punches. Until I saw your friend Theodore.”
Grace’s heart flipped. “Theodore?” she asked.
“Oh.” Walt grimaced and let out a low curse. “You weren’t supposed to know. My memory is trashed right now. You can’t let on that I told you.”
“Wait. Theodore was the one who brought you here?” Grace asked.
“Yes. He talked to the police. Made a deal to bring me here. He said he’d take care of everything.”
“Theodore Parker? Are you sure?”
“Isn’t he the one with the birthmark on his face?”
She nodded slowly, dazed. It was Theo.
She sat down abruptly on the chair. Her face flushed. Her heart flooded with something that felt like light and song were sweeping through her.
Theodore Parker must have paid a huge sum to help her brother.
“I’m going to make this right, Grace,” Walt said. He held out his hand to her. “You don’t have to believe me until I show you,” he said. His lips were pale, his teeth almost chattering.
She laced his fingers through his as he whispered, “I don’t want to make you promises I can’t keep. But I can tell you, from the depths of me, I don’t want to be that person anymore.”
Grace’s heart couldn’t stop beating furiously. She picked up her skirts, walking briskly through the streets.
Where did Theodore live?
She had to find him.
