Page 91 of Son of a Preacher Man

“What is it?”

“We’ve got to go.”

Sunlight streamed in through the windows, but Jarrid didn’t see it. He lay there, his eyes closed, skin ashen, barely breathing. The photo they’d taken only yesterday, rested in his palm. Picking it up, Kodiak’s fingers brushed his hand. It was cold.

I should feel something.

But he didn’t. Not really.

Her arm around his waist, Linnea stood at his side. “What are we supposed to do?”

A nurse spoke up behind them. Kodiak thought that’s what she was anyway. He hadn’t seen her here before. “You can talk to him. He can still hear you. Hearing is the last sense that leaves us.”

She moved to the other side of the bed, fluffed his pillow, and lifting the sheet that covered him, made sure he hadn’t soiled himself. Satisfied Jarrid was comfortable, the nurse addressed them once again, “I can bring your dinner here if you’d like. There are extra linens and pillows in the closet for the pull-out. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be in to check on him from time to time, but otherwise, I’ll be respecting your privacy.”

“Thank you.”

Smiling, the nurse gazed at the Polaroid Kodiak still held. “He wanted it close to him. Said the board on the wall was too far away.”

Stifling a cry, Linnea turned around.

He gently placed the photo back in his father’s palm.

“You okay?” Rubbing her shoulders, Kodiak stood behind her.

“Yeah.” With a sniffle, she shrugged. “I don’t even know why I’m crying.”

“It’s a lot.”

“I’ve never watched someone die before.”

“Can’t say I have either,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “We’ll see each other through it, right?”

“Yeah.” Her head nodded against his chest. “Do you think he’ll wake up again?”

“I don’t know.”

But he didn’t think so.

It was too late. Now, Jarrid would never be able to tell him about Brandy, not that he would have anyway.

The second hand on the clock seemed to revolve painfully slow. Shadows of the trees outside the window were cast upon the wall. And Jarrid still lay there, the picture in his palm.

Hugging his waist, Linnea kissed his cheek. “Thanks for setting up Charlotte’s bed. She’s asleep.”

Remaining silent, Kodiak slipped his arm around her and hugged her back.

“Are you hungry? I can ask them to heat up your dinner or fix you something else.”

“No, I’m okay.” Stepping away, he went over to the window.

“Did you call Kelly?”

“Yeah, when I went for a walk.”

The room closing in on him, Kodiak took a stroll through the gardens. Discovering a trail into the woods behind the house, he followed it. Then leaning against a tree, he pulled out his phone and his pen. Hearing Kelly’s voice soothed him more than cannabis ever could.

“How is she?”

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