Page 54 of Chase

Will I be able to walk away from these people?

Mumma Nat pulls away and Arden is standing there with his arms out waiting for his turn. His hug is brief and very un-Arden.

“I’ve taken the food upstairs. Your room is ready,” Arden says just a ward clerk arrives with a wheelchair.

“My shift is finished. But I’ll be back in the morning,” Mumma Nat says. “Are you staying here?” Nat asks Chase.

“I’m not leaving,” he replies.

“We figured as much. It’s against hospital policy, but I’ve pulled some strings,” Mumma Nat says. “I’ll leave you guys to go and get settled. Make sure you try and eat something. See you both in the morning.” She kisses my forehead and hugs Chase and Arden on the way out.

The boys follow behind the ward clerk as he takes us upstairs. I’m rolled into my own private room that has a couch, TV, bathroom, and massive window. On the couch is a pile of blankets and pillows. I guess they really did know Chase was going to stay with me.

The nurse comes in to check my obs. My sugar is still sitting at 5.1, which is low considering I’m on my second bag of glucose. She makes her notes and says she will let the doctor know, but they would like me to try and eat something. It will help.

Arden hands a container of food to both Chase and I. I open it, and the smell of honey chicken hits me. Mushu’s. My favourite.

“Thank you,” I say picking up my fork and stabbing a piece of chicken.

We pretty much eat in silence. Once I’ve finished half the container of chickeny goodness, I put the container on the table and lay back.

“Where’s Rhys?” Curiosity getting the better of me. I know he still isn’t my biggest fan, but I knew he was with them this afternoon. I don’t think he hates me enough to not come to the hospital.

Or does he?

“Hayden blew up a public toilet.” Arden answers.

“He did what? How? What the fuck?” How does a fifteen-year-old blow up a toilet? More to the point, why did he want to blow it up?

“He blew up one of the toilet cubicles at Main beach. No idea why, that kid is trouble with a capital T. Rhys had to go home to make sure his dad doesn’t kill him this time,” Arden says while still eating.

“What do you mean this time? Has he blown up a toilet before? Is this a habit?” I need to talk to Millie, tell her to stay away from Hayden.

“Not a toilet. But he has a history of vandalising property. Usually it’s just tagging buildings, although last year he set their pool house on fire,” Arden explains. What the hell?

“Don’t forget the time he turned the public pool green with dye and covered Mr William’s car in plastic wrap,” Chase adds.

“Wow.” I have no idea how else to react. I knew he was a bad boy; I just wasn’t expecting that.

“Yeah, most of the time his pranks are harmless, but on the odd occasion it goes wrong. I’m not sure how long their dad can keep getting him out of trouble.”

Chase finishes his food and comes to sit beside me on the bed. I scoot over giving him room. He lays back and wraps his arms around me, allowing me the opportunity to snuggle closer.

“Alright kids, I’ve got a hot date. I will see you both tomorrow,” Arden says. He starts to clear away the empty food containers.

“Who with, Chuck?” I ask genuinely curious.

“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell,” he says with a wink. Before I can respond, he’s out the door.

“A gentleman my ass.” I laugh. I can feel Chase’s chest rise with his silent chuckle.

“Hey Chase?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you sure it’s okay if Millie and I stay with you?” I ask. Millie and I discussed it. She’s disappointed in Dad. She wants to stay with me, although she is happy here in Canary Bay and would rather not have to move next year. I told her we would discuss it again closer to the end of the year. All I can hope is that Dad comes around.

“Of course. You are both welcome for as long as you need. I like the idea of having you beside me every night.”

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