With a shaky nod, Momma reached for Gran’s arm, linked it through hers, and the two of them walked down the hallway.
It was quiet for long moments while my sisters and I watched our mom and grandma until they turned a corner and slipped out of sight.
“Okay.” Rory turned around to face us, wiping under her eyes. “We need a game plan and to figure out how we’re gonna get Momma out of this hospital. She needs to rest, but she won’t leave Daddy alone.”
“I’d stay, but I think that may cause Daddy more harm than good.” Nat shrugged.
No one bothered to disagree because there was little doubt in my mind that was true. Nat had a way of riling our father up that none of the rest of us could manage.
Rory glanced at her watch, her brow furrowed. “I’ve gotta get back and pick up the girls. Marie was so sweet to take them, but they’ve already been there so long.” She turned to Will. “What about you? Can y’all stay?”
Will’s eyes were bloodshot, and she had more baggage beneath them than a luggage rack. She was actually swaying on her feet. “Yeah. Of course. I can stay.”
I huffed out a breath. I should’ve been used to this by now, but I wasn’t. I wanted to scream,hellooooo!at the top of my lungs just to get a reaction.
“Ican stay,” I said, trying not to let the irritation seep into my tone. “Y’all have been here the longest. It only makes sense that I’m the one to stick around.”
“Oh!” Rory’s tone belied her surprise, as if the thought had never even crossed her mind. “Of course. That’d be great, Mac. Thank you.”
Nat shifted on her feet. “Asher and I can take Gran and Momma ho?—”
“I hope you weren’t about to say home, Natalie.” Momma strode up behind Nat. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but she seemed more relaxed than when she’d gone in.
Nat’s eyes grew wide, and she mouthedOh shit. Momma didn’t use our full names unless she really wanted to drive a point home. Or she was mad as hell. Hopefully this was the former.
“How is he, Momma?” Rory asked. “Can we go back?”
“He’s fine. But Dr. Harris was right—he’s completely out of it. It doesn’t make sense for y’all to stick around tonight when he won’t even know y’all’re here. Everyone should go on home and get a good night’s rest. Y’all can come back in the mornin’ when he’ll be coherent and y’all’ve had some sleep.”
Rory shot me, Nat, and Will a look before stepping up to our mom and resting a hand on her arm. “Momma…we were thinkin’ it’d be?—”
“Aurora Haven, I know you’re not gonna finish that sentence with some nonsense about me goin’ home.”
My eyes went wide as I shot a glance at Will to see her doing the same. Two full names meant shit was getting real. Our momma wasn’t messing around.
Tentatively, Will stepped up. “But, Momma, you’re so tir?—”
“Willow, I’m not gonna hear it.” She held up a hand to stop all conversation and looked to me as if challenging me to say something just so she could pull out my full name, too.
“This is silly, Momma,” I said. “You’re exhausted. You said yourself he was out of it, so why not go home and get cleaned up and sleep in your own bed for a night? I’ll stay so he’s not alone.”
“Mackenna”—annnnnd, there it was—“if any one of y’all thinks you’re gettin’ me anywhere away from this hospital for the next few days, you don’t know me very well. I haven’t spent a single night away from your daddy since we got married, and I don’t plan to start tonight. Icertainlydon’t plan to go home and sleep in our bed without him.” Her voice cracked, and my chest cracked right along with it.
“Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’m capable of makin’ my own decisions. And my decision is to stay right here with your father.” She jabbed a finger toward the ground and narrowed her eyes on each of us, daring us to challenge her.
Considering neither me nor my sisters were stupid, we all realized a losing battle when we were up against one. Our momma was right—she could make her own decisions. We just had to hope she was doing what was best for her.
“All right,” Rory finally said. “But Gran’s comin’ home.” She turned to our grandmother, an accusatory finger pointed in her direction. “And don’t argue with me, old woman. I’ll get Nash to carry you out of here if I have to.”
Gran raised an eyebrow. “You’re gettin’ awfully feisty over there.” She hooked her arm through Nat’s and dipped her chin. “I like it.”
“You—” Rory’s shoulders relaxed, and she dropped her finger. “Oh. I thought that’d be a lot harder than it was.”
“That’s what she said,” Nat mumbled, which caused Gran to hoot with laughter, which, in turn, sent a ripple effect around the group until we were all in stitches.
Delirious laughter was a real thing, apparently.
With amusement in her voice, Nat tipped her head toward the main door. “C’mon, Gran. Asher’s stayin’ at the house, so you can ride with us.” Nat squeezed our momma, then guided Gran away, tossing a, “Later, bitches,” over her shoulder to me, Rory, and Will.
