“Yes.”
Oh, thank God.
“Casey?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s asking for you.”
The words twist my insides. I’m not sure if they make me happy or sad. But they make me move. “I’ll be right there.”
“Is he all right?” Sage asks when I hand her back the phone.
“I think so. He’s awake.”
“That’s wonderful news. Are you heading to the hospital now?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, great. I’ll come with you.”
I wasn’t expecting her to join me, but I’m glad that she will. There’s this strange feeling in my chest.
My father is better. He’s awake. I should be elated. But I have a sense of foreboding that I don’t quite understand.
Sage looks at me, her eyes soft and penetrating. “What’s the matter?”
I can’t explain it. I’m not good at taking a closer look at my feelings. “Nothing. We should go.”
I drive to the hospital, which is only ten minutes away. As soon as we arrive, Sage curses under her breath.
“What’s wrong?”
“I should have changed.”
Taking a quick glance at her as she steps out of the passenger seat, I realize she’s still wearing her tube top and shorts. I smile. “I don’t know,” I say as I approach her. “If I’m anything like my father, that might be the perfect outfit to get him up and out of bed.”
She smacks my good shoulder and tosses back her hair. “Well, I hope he is like you then and not your mother. I don’t think she appreciates my outfits.”
That piques my interest. “Really? Why would you say that?”
She chuckles. “She’s made a few comments in the past. At Cassandra’s christening, she wasn’t a fan of my dress’s plunging neckline. And she made a face when I came to one of Anthony’s birthday parties in my bikini and a coverup. It was a beach-theme party. I was trying to fit the theme. She said I was distracting the ten-year-old boys.”
I snorted and then laughed out loud. “I think she was worried about you distracting their fathers.”
Sage shrugs. “I did get a date with one of the single dads.”
I rub her leg and give it a quick squeeze. “I wouldn’t worry about it. She’ll be a little too distracted to notice what you’re wearing.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. This isn’t about me.”
I smile, despite my nerves. “It’s okay. I’m glad you shared that with me. I can picture my mother saying those things and she’s not an easy woman to please.”
“No. She’s not.”
As soon as we enter the hospital, Sage pulls my hand. “Casey, before we go any further. I need to apologize. I mean that was beyond unprofessional back at my place.”
“I’m not your patient, Sage. And if I recall correctly, I was the one who asked you to stay exactly where you were.”
