Mom turns to Everett. “Do you want some lidocaine to help with the pain?”
He shrinks back, shaking his head. “No. No meds.”
“Max is the same way…” Mom starts the endless doctor-comforting chatter. I’ve seen her do it dozens of times with family.
***
My phone dings fifteen minutes later, alerting me to Dad’s arrival.
Maddox’s helicopter must be flying away right about now.
Max:kitchen
Finally, I’m going to get some answers.
Mom sets some gauze on Everett’s palm and starts to wrap it. “You’re going to need to change the gauze twice a day. They’ll do that for you at the clinic on Willow Street.”
Everett shakes his head. “No clinics. No hospitals.” There’s that look of terror back on his face.
“Okay. No clinics.” Mom sets a hand on his shoulder. “I can take care of you myself.”
No.
No.
No. If this isn’t my brother, there’s no way he’s getting anywhere near you again.
Heavy footsteps echo into the kitchen, and everyone turns towards the door.
As Dad steps in, Everett dashes for the knife block.
In one motion, I pull Mom away from him and behind my back.
But Everett doesn’t even appear to notice us. He’s completely focused on Dad. “You aren’t taking her.”
Well, that’s a twist. A kid with absolutely no muscle mass and some of the worst knife skills I’ve ever seen is going to fight off my dad, who probably has at least one hundred pounds of pure muscle on him.
Everett doesn’t even blink.
That kid is insane. If he doesn’t get himself killed, which is looking more and more likely every second since Dad doesn’t tolerate nonsense when it comes to Mom.
I’m liking the kid more and more.
“Put the knife down, kid.” Dad’s firm voice would scare any sane person.
Everett squares his puny shoulders and grips the knife firmer. He might be stupid, but he’s brave.
“No one, and I mean no one, pulls a weapon out in front of my wife. I suggest you drop it, before I drop you.”
Mom steps out from behind me. “He’s just a confused boy. He’s trying to protect me.”
“Wife?” Everett’s hands shake as he turns towards Mom and me. “Brother.”
“Drop the knife.”
Mom starts towards the boy.
“Woman, what are you doing?” Dad’s head might explode. The veins on his neck pop out and throb.
