Everything feels distorted and…offwhen we leave. Like the world has tilted and we’ve officially entered the next phase.
And if I’m feeling it, I can only imagine what Vince is feeling.
As I study his face, the relief isn’t there. Instead, there’s a heavy sense of dread and an even heavier sense of uncertainty.
I brush a thumb over the back of his hand. “You okay?”
He doesn’t reply.
Outside, the air is warmer than I expect. Vince walks a step ahead of me, already retreating into his head. It hurts more than I expect it to, like he’s shutting me out.
My phone buzzes when we pull up to a stoplight.
Darren:no rush to reply, just wanted to know if you’re coming in after Vince’s appointment. Both Carlos and Jose are out sick.
Fuck. Of all the days to be shorthanded. And on a big job, too.
I reply:Should be there in a couple of hours. Appointment’s done, but I’m making a couple of stops before heading home.
Darren replies instantly:How’d it go?
Me:No real answers yet. But it’s a step forward. He’ll be okay.
I hope.
It’s all I can do—hope.
I swipe my phone again and quickly send off a message to Declan. I keep it vague, since Vince should be the one to decide how much he wants others to know, including his boss.
Declan doesn’t reply.
When we finally pull into the driveway, Vince doesn’t move right away. Neither do I. I sit with him in the silence, wishing I knew what to say.
He rubs a hand over his thigh, staring out across the yard. “I think I feel worse than when I went in.”
I reach for his hand, but stop. “We just need time to figure it out.”
“Yeah. I guess.” He sucks in a breath. “I think I want to lie down for a bit.”
“Of course. I’d join you, but I’ve got to head in to work.”
Vince walks slowly inside, his feet dragging a little in pain.
“I don’t know when I’ll be home, but dinner’s already in the fridge. Just needs baked. Instructions are on the cling wrap. Georgie can throw it in, too, if you don’t get to it.”
He nods once, but it’s like the information goes right over him. My heart aches for him. Vince is definitely drowning in information overload. Thank God that forum recommended recording the appointment. It’ll help later, when he can process it.
Vince turns toward the bedroom, shoulders hunched like the weight of the day has already settled somewhere permanent.
I reach for his arm. “I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
He touches my back lightly before closing himself off in the room.
Bones whines at the door until I pull him away.
“Come on, big guy. Your favorite human needs sleep.”
Deep down, panic is starting to settle in.
