Page 87 of Duke

“You’re at the hospital?”

“Yes.”

“Is Meat there?”

“Yes.”

“Hold on sugar. I’m taking the bike. I’ll be there by daybreak.”

Racing through empty streets, I pull onto the PCH, heading north. I wasn’t there for her when she needed me last time. My girl’s hurting bad. Racing like a demon in the dark, I push the bike’s limits, taking the ride of my life.

Her hands are as cold as ice. Taking them in mine, I hold tight. I can’t promise her he’ll pull-through.

It kills me.

The docs told her they’re not sure if he’s brain-dead. She took it hard.

She won’t speak. She just sits still with her head hanging. Not even my touch brings her around.

“You want coffee, baby girl?”

She shakes her head.

Sighing, I put an arm around her, drawing her to my side.

We sit in silence for another twenty minutes when the door swings open, and the doc walks in.

She pauses, hesitating for a second, “Ms. Flynn?”

Shanna’s head snaps up.

“Your father is stable… for now. He suffered a severe stroke. If he does regain consciousness, I doubt he’ll be able to walk. His emphysema… makes this case harder to treat. He’ll need constant care, possibly needing to live in a facility.”

“Are you saying even if he makes it that he’ll never live at home?”

“I don’t see how. You’d need a hospital bed, a home nurse—”

“I’ll do it. If he lives, I’ll find a way. You don’t know my Pops; he’d pull his own plug before he rots in some home.”

The doc falters, at Shanna’s bluntness. My heart sinks at what she just signed herself up for. Shanna’s so close to being free from this place, and she just prevented herself from leaving.

“Let’s think about that later and just focus on him waking up for now.”

She finally sits up, looking me in the eye. “I’ve been giving him shit for months… never forgiving him from hiding her letters, or her attempts to visit me.”

“You know why he did it though, right?”

“I know. I still looked at her through the lens of a hopeful child; not wanting to believe the woman I built up in my mind was a drug-loving, slut.”

“She did love you, baby girl. The only way, she could.”

“I know.”

“Listen, sweetheart, you can’t take care of him on your own, especially when, you’re weeks away from graduating.”

“There’s no other choice Duke. He was there for me—raised me all these years. He didn’t walk away. He needs me now, more than he ever did. He’s all I have left.”

Fuck. I get it. But it shouldn’t be at the cost of her dream.

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