The Country Duet(55)

“Well, you are my damn son. Isn’t family allowed back here?” Dave’s few rotten teeth shine behind the smile on his face.

I shrug. “You’d think they’d let family back.”

“Sorry about the confusion. We will be back shortly once the test results are back,” the nurse finally announces.

When she leaves, I turn to Dave, who even though is being swallowed up by a hospital bed he’s smiling with pride.

“I think Grandson would be more believable than a son, Dave.” I take the seat next to his bed.

“Naw, you are my son.” He pats the bed.

After a night from hell waiting on getting to him, I’m not about to argue with him about the vast age difference.

“What the hell happened?”

“Couldn’t get out of bed. My home phone wasn’t working, and I finally found an old cell phone on my nightstand that I bought from Costco. I called 911.”

“Jesus, Dave.” I scrub my face. “So, what’s going on?”

“My feet hurt so bad, I couldn’t even sit up to piss.”

“Think you have an infection?”

He shrugs. We wait in silence for another hour before a new nurse enters the room. Right off, I know this is going to go downhill fast because she’s one of the prettiest women I’ve ever seen.

“Holy shit!” Dave sits up a little higher in the bed. “You’re the prettiest gal I’ve ever seen; you need to go home with my boy here.”

The nurse is a good sport, nodding, and gives Dave a thank you.

“Nice rack, and I’ve taught my boy how to dance. You married? He’s looking for a wife.”

“Jesus, Dave.” I bury my face in my hands from embarrassment.

I should be used to this, but Dave is on one tonight with her. I can’t really blame him because she should be on the movie screen with her perfect body and face.

“The doctor will be in in a minute, Dave.” She pats his legs. “And I am married, but thank you.”

She turns her back and begins striding out of the room.

“Nothing wrong with a little fun on the side,” he hollers after her.

At least, his spirits seem to be up at the moment.

“One of these days you are going to get slapped across the face.” I lean back in the chair, stretching out my legs.

“Will be the most action I’ve seen in years,” he replies.

“I’m proud of you for thinking to use that phone.”

“Yeah, was thinking about sending you to buy one for me.”

“I could do that.”

“You need to go down to the store on Main Street.”

“Okay.” I smile, wondering how Dave and a cell phone will go together.

“Ask for the manager and get the best possible deal on one.”

I jerk my head, acknowledging him, amused at his typical antics when it comes to saving money. The man is so tight, he’d never pay me a penny that I didn’t earn.

Our conversation is interrupted when the doctor comes in. I cringe when he has a deep accent, knowing Dave will never be able to understand him.

“Mr. Hendricks.” He sets his laptop on the table next to the bed. “Looks like you’ll be spending a few weeks in here.”

Dave looks over to me. I give him a knowing look that I’ve got him and will tell him everything the doctor says.

“You have a severe infection streaming through your blood, coupled with a MRSA infection. Your blood sugar was also way out of whack when you came in. Controlling your diabetes is crucial.”

I lean over the bed and relay the information to Dave.

“Bullshit. I’m not staying in here for a few weeks.”

“Sir, you don’t have any other options.”

“I’ve got two legs, and I can walk right out of here.”

“Dave.” I place my hand on his bed. “Listen, they are here to help you and ease your pain. You need to listen to what they have to say and follow their orders.”

He growls at me, but listens. I don’t know what it is, but he’s combative with everyone except me. It’s my job to be the middleman, talking Dave off the cliff and back into reality. You’d think he’d listen to the professionals, but he never does.

It’s well past three in the morning once he’s settled in his room on the third floor of the hospital. His good spirits from earlier when he saw me enter his room have vanished. Dave’s in pain and nearing the pool of hopelessness.

“Going to head out. I’ll be back tomorrow with a phone after school and work.”

He just nods, not making eye contact.

“It’s all going to be fine, Dave.” I grab the top of his hand with emotion clogging my throat.

“I’m tired, Hunter. Tired of the pain and living like this.” His words flow through the room, and he still doesn’t make eye contact.

The emotion nearly choking me causes my eyes to water up. “Day by day, and I’ll be here for you.”

He never turns his head to make eye contact before my boots finally move out the door. My legs are weak and tremble with each step. Dave’s downtrodden spirits tear and pull at my soul. The parking lot is deserted, with only a few cars scattered around.

A woman strides in front of me with a large purse over her shoulder. It happens in slow motion. The tip of her shoe catches on the pavement, and then her body lurches forward, tumbling hard onto the unforgiving parking lot.