“Yes. It seems that way. I’m sorry about our drinks and stuff. Things got a little hectic there for a while, and with all the excitement, I think we forgot.”
“That’s okay.” Grant got on the phone and after a few minutes he hung up. “One of the guys is going to pick up a pizza, and they’ll bring it up here.”
“Thanks,” Marty said. Cameron woke again, and Marty helped him with his juice. “How is your tummy?”
“Hungry,” Cameron said.
“Let me go check to see what he can have to eat,” Grant said, telling Dexter to stay. Then he left the room and stopped by the nursing station. “Cameron says he’s hungry. What can he have to eat?” he asked the nurse.
She checked the computer. “There are no restrictions, but I’d suggest something light. I can bring him some Jello andmaybe some toast… things that are easy on his digestion. He’s been through a lot, and his little system isn’t going to take a lot at the moment.”
“Okay. Jello it is,” Grant said, The nurse got some from the fridge and handed him two cups of red. “Thanks.” He gave her his best smile and returned to the room. Dexter had moved from his place on the floor to stretch out right next to Cameron on the bed, who petted him on the head.
“Good doggie,” Cameron said.
“Did you ever have a dog of your own?” Marty asked, and Cameron shook his head. He really seemed to be taken with Marty, and even let him hold his hand.
“Did you?” Cameron asked in return.
“Not really, no. My dad was allergic to dogs.”
Cameron looked at Marty as seriously as a heart attack. “My daddy is an angel in heaven. So is my mommy.” He looked at Marty with huge eyes and then sniffled. “I want them back.” He began to cry softly. Marty didn’t seem to know what to do, and neither did Grant. They were essentially strangers to this little boy. The amazing thing was that Dexter shifted closer, his tongue licking Cameron’s cheek. It must have tickled, because Cameron giggled a little, and Dexter did it again. Thank god for doggie instincts.
Marty opened one of the containers of Jello and handed it to Cameron along with a spoon. He took a few bites and then ate all of it. Marty opened the second container, and that one disappeared almost as fast. “We can get you more once your tummy settles, okay?”
Cameron lay back in the bed and closed his eyes. Marty got up and left the room, and Grant followed. “I don’t know what to do now. I don’t want to leave him alone. It’s pretty obvious that no one else is coming.”
Grant understood, and he hugged Marty out of sheer instinct. This whole situation had him unbalanced as hell, and he had no idea what to do about it. “Tomorrow I’m going to find who did this. I don’t quite know how yet, but I am.” Marty put his arms around his waist, and they held each other for a few seconds of comfort. Maybe the quicksand that seemed to have opened up under each of them could solidify once again.
“How is the kid?” Red asked as he came down the hallway carrying the pizza he’d said he’d bring.
“Awake, scared, and a little confused, I’m willing to bet.”
Red glanced around. “Did you take Dexter home?”
Grant snickered as he shook his head. “He has completely reverted to doggie mode and is currently lying in bed with the kid, stretched out like he owns the place, loving every second of it.” Grant took the box and thanked him. Then they wandered down to the nurse’s station and set the box on the counter. He opened it and took a huge bite of the cheesy pepperoni slice. Marty got a piece also as the nurse looked on.
“Go ahead,” Grant told him, and he snagged a wedge as well. No one spoke as they ate, but Grant noticed that Marty never looked away from Cameron’s door, and once he had inhaled his piece of pizza, he wiped his fingers and returned. As soon as he peered into the room, he smiled and motioned to Grant to come over.
Cameron was asleep with Dexter next to him, head resting on his chest, with Cameron’s one hand on Dexter’s side and the other holding the bear. It looked like his K-9 partner had settled in for the night.
“Come on, Dexter,” Grant said quietly, and damned if Dexter didn’t slowly get up and off the bed, touching the floor without making a sound. Cameron clutched the bear with his other hand and snugged down under the covers.
“Thank you for dinner and everything,” Marty said. “I’m going to stay for a while and then head home to sleep before coming back in the morning.”
Grant drew closer. “Okay. I need to talk to Cameron to see if he remembers anything that can help us. He also needs to see a counselor. So I’ll see you in the morning.” He took Marty’s hand. “When they made you, they really created someone special, and then they definitely broke the mold.” He squeezed Marty’s hand, and then he and Dexter headed for the elevator to go home for what Grant was certain was going to be a very restless night.
Chapter 5
MARTY’S BACKached as he cracked his eyes open the following morning. He had sat in that damned hospital chair for hours last night, and even though he managed to make it to his own bed just after midnight, it hadn’t helped all that much. He got up and showered quickly before grabbing a quick bite to eat. He slid his laptop into his backpack before leaving the house and heading to the hospital. He quietly approached Cameron’s room. Thankfully he was still asleep, and Marty settled in a chair next to the bed.
“Coffee?” a nurse asked him in a whisper, and Marty nodded. He needed it badly. The nurse returned a few minutes later and handed him a cup. “It’s terrible, but you get used to it.” He looked Cameron over for a second. “He didn’t move all night. The poor guy was exhausted.”
Marty thanked the nurse and sipped the awful coffee. It was one step up from sludge, but it was caffeine, and what he needed if he was ever going to wake up. He settled in the chair and just relaxed for a while.
“Mommy!” Cameron called out and sat straight up in bed.
“It’s okay,” Marty said. “Do you remember me from yesterday? I’m Marty.”
