Micah Johnson Goes West (Get Out, #2)(38)

“I hate that question. Especially now. What kind of response can I give?”

“I know. I hate it too. I can’t believe I asked it.”

“But how are you?” Micah asked before he could stop himself.

They both laughed, and stopped almost immediately as if ashamed they could find anything amusing at this very moment.

“I feel like shit,” Emma said, finally.

“Me too. Are you ready?” he asked.

She readjusted her bag on her shoulder, composing herself. “I guess so. He’s in Ward 54. I already checked.”

They made their way in silence to the lifts, and didn’t break it as they rode to the fifth floor. They waited for an orderly with a trolley to disembark before they followed him out.

“Simon and Dec have already seen him,” Emma finally said.

“Yeah, they told me the other night. Simon said it was pretty horrible.”

“So we should prepare ourselves.”

“I don’t think we can,” Micah said. “It’s going to be a shock, no matter what.”

At the nurses’ station they confirmed Will’s room number. It was the next one down from the hub, which meant he truly was in a serious condition if he was so close at hand. The door was closed, and they stood outside it hesitantly.

“Why do I feel so nervous?” Emma asked, wiping her hands down her skirt.

“Because we’re lucky. I mean, we’re out here, not in there.”

“Do you feel as ashamed of that as I do?”

Micah was glad to hear somebody else voice that. “I think so, yeah. But I think I’m more ashamed of the fact that I feel like it could just as easily be me, but I’m so glad it isn’t.”

“Yes,” Emma said. “That’s it, exactly. I hate thinking like that. But I guess anybody would think it, right?”

“I think they’d be lying if they said they didn’t.”

The door flew open, and they both jumped. A man who appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties stared at them. “Can I help you?” He looked back into the room, then closed the door behind himself so they wouldn’t be heard.

“Are you Will’s father?” Emma asked, before Micah could stop her. He had met Mr. Deanes; this was most definitely not him. He looked like he had a soul, for one thing.

The guy scowled at the comparison. “No. I’m Will’s uncle.”

“Oh good, I’m glad he’s got family here,” Micah said, offering his hand to shake.

Will’s uncle did so, and then turned to Emma to do the same. “The only one, I’m afraid. I’m Henry.”

“Will’s dad still hasn’t come?” Emma asked, even though it was obvious.

Henry shook his head.

“Does he know?”

“Of course he knows!” Henry winced apologetically at his own tone. “Sorry. He’s just an arsehole. I wish Will’s mother was still with us; maybe she could have made him come to his senses. My sister was much more progressive. I guess she had to be, having me as a brother. Pat probably blames me for Will being gay, thinking it’s genetics from our side of the family or some shit.” He was ranting like Simon in full mode; his brain probably wasn’t even alert enough to register it.

Micah was gradually putting the pieces together. Will’s gay uncle was his only support once he came out. And Will probably thought he was lucky even just to have him, seeing his father gave up so easily.

Emma introduced herself properly, and Micah realised they hadn’t even thought of doing so until now.

“And I’m Micah Johnson.”

“Oh, you’re Micah?” Henry looked surprised. “Wow, it’s really good of you to come. You and Will had all that trouble last year, didn’t you?”

Micah flushed. He hadn’t even thought it was a possibility Henry could have been told all of that. “It was a bunch of misunderstandings and miscommunications.”

Henry snorted. “Will’s told me the whole story. You’re being nice about it. He bullied you and knocked you out.”

“That’s one way of looking at it,” Micah said, feeling the spotlight burning upon his skin.

“Believe me, I gave him plenty of shit at the time. Until he told me he was gay too.” Henry sighed. “But no wonder, with his dad being the way he was.”

Micah was eager to get past this part of the story. “Well, it’s all history now.”

Impatient, Emma broke in. “Can we see him, rather than experience The Micah Johnson Story all over again?”

It was the perfect tension breaker. It gave them the opportunity to laugh, and Henry took in a deep breath. “Fuck it feels good to do that. I don’t think I’ve done anything but cry all week. And Will? Let’s just say he’s in denial. In his mind he thinks the doctors are wrong and he’ll be playing for the Roos by the end of the year.”

“I can believe that,” Emma said, while Micah blanched and said, “The Roos? Really?”

Emma glared at him. “I don’t think that’s the relevant part of that sentence.”

“Yeah, sorry.”

“Anyway,” Henry said, a smile still playing on his lips. “I’ll go and have a coffee and some breakfast and give you guys some privacy.”