I walked down the hallway, past the occasional nurse pushing a cart or flipping through a chart, and stepped into the resident room.
Erin was sitting at the table with my phone in her hand.
“There you are,” she said, relief flashing across her face. “I was looking for you.”
“Oh, thank God somebody found it,” I said and took the phone from her. “I was looking for it everywhere. I even checked my car and every bathroom I ever used.”
She didn’t look suspicious. Just nodded.
“Are you done with your rounds?” I asked, slipping the phone into my pocket. “I need to finish mine now that I found my phone. You’re welcome to join me.”
Her eyes widened, and her lips curved into a huge smile. “I’d love to.”
I smiled back. “Just wait here. I’ll be right back. Gonna use the bathroom real quick.”
“Okay.”
The bathroom was right around the corner. I slipped inside and checked the stalls. Empty.
Quickly, I pulled my phone out.
My dad’s number lit up the screen. It rang longer than usual.
“Dylan, you okay?” His voice came through, tired but alert.
“Yes,” I said. My tone sounded completely normal. Friendly. Like I hadn’t spent years resenting him. “Sorry for calling this late. Hey, listen, can you do me a big one?”
“Yeah. Of course.”
“Well, my car broke down at the gas station near the Seacoast Inn.”
“That shithole?”
“Yeah.” I sighed. “Don’t tell Amanda, but I was trying to get something to help me sleep. The nightmares are back. I needed some Valium off the books. Some guy sells it behind a liquor store near the motel. Nothing you need to worry about. But my car started acting up and … I feel horrible asking this, but can you come get me?”
There was the sound of movement on his end. Keys. Clothes.
“Yeah, of course. I’m already on my way.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You bet.”
He sounded pleased. Too pleased. Like this small rescue erased everything. Like showing up tonight could cancel out years of cheating, lying, and abuse.
“Oh, and Dad?” I said before he could hang up.
“Yeah?”
“Can you please bring the Porsche? I’d love to drive that thing again.”
He chuckled. “You bet, buddy. I’ll be there in a minute.”
I hung up.
For a moment, I just stood there in the bathroom, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
Then I unlocked the door and walked back to get Erin.
