When I focused back on him, she relaxed. “Doing so well, he’s getting released.”
“That’s great news. How are you doing?”
Reflexively, she touched the bruised lump on her forehead. “I still get headaches, but I’m otherwise well.”
Nodding, I slipped my hands in my pockets. Why was this so fucking awkward?
“Well, son, I’m sure you’ve cracked the whip over there at the RC.”
Grinning at his setup, I replied, “As a matter of fact, they’re fixing up your room right now. I’m just worried that Dr. Webster wants twenty-four-hour care for you and we’ve only got the aides to take shifts.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sailor open her mouth before closing it back.
“I mean, you can’t reasonably go from the best care you’ve ever gotten down to nothing better than home health aides.”
Neither of us had any problem with the aides, but I needed to twist the knife far enough that Sailor would practically volunteer to stay with us.
“It’s not like you have a home to go back to.” With my palms outstretched, I sat on the edge of Dad’s bed and picked up his hands. “But we’ll make do.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, shut up!” Sailor burst out. “Who do you think this act is working on?”
Dad sighed dramatically. “Seriously,cara mio. He’s no Sean Connery, is he?”
I glared at them both. “Forgive me for trying to see to your health the best way I know how.”
Why had I thought I could get her to agree to my wishes? She was too fucking stubborn, clearly. I had nothing to hold over her head, so I couldn't persuade her in my usual manner.
“Listen, Noah,” Sailor began, coming closer to the bed. “I’ve been thinking.”
My heart beat just a tad faster. Was she about to capitulate? And if so, why did that thrill me?
“You’re right that Benito needs me more frequently for the first few days. Despite living close to the hospital, it would be foolish to run back and forth all day.”
I sat patiently, waiting for her to come around to my point of view without rubbing her nose in it.
“I’ll stay, but only for a few days. Once he no longer needs constant care, I’ll go back home.”
Biting back the huge grin threatening to split my face, I settled for a small smile. “Thank you for your graciousness.”
Dad clapped his hands. “That makes me so happy,cara mio. You’ll have the time of your life, I assure you.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she mumbled.
Dr. Webster came in for his morning rounds, and I had the honor of watching Sailor in her element as the two of them discussed my father’s discharge instructions in technical terms.
“It’s a good thing she’ll be there,” Dad commented, “since I have no damn clue what they're saying about me.”
I couldn't help my grin. “She does, and that’s what counts.”
It was more of a production to get him out of there than I’d hoped, mostly because he balked at the wheelchair until Sailor snapped at him to get over his machismo and let her push him out to the doors.
He blushed, closing his mouth and obeying everything she instructed him to do.
Yeah, this was going to work out splendidly.
The three of us rode in the limo to the hotel, and I couldn't help watching Sailor’s facial expressions. The city streets were covered in a light sheen of snow, but as native New Yorkers, that was par for the course. When we arrived and stepped out of the car, she craned her neck, allowing snowflakes to fall unheeded on her face, catching and collecting on her eyelashes until they melted and she blinked. I’d become so jaded to the sight of the thirty-three-floor building that I never even bothered to look at it anymore, but her reaction fascinated me. Mirroring her stance, I stared up at the falling snow and the pale facade until Dad cleared his throat behind us.
“I’m sure you’re enjoying yourselves, kids, but this old man is freezing his balls off.”
