Page 80 of Out of the Blue

“Fine by me. I love you more.”

She pushes the stool over, next to my bed, and intertwines our hands. Giving my fingers a kiss, she says, “You’re looking so much stronger by the day.”

“I’m getting ready to blow this popsicle stand. With my favorite flavor on my arm.”

Her expressive mocha eyes shine. “I’m so excited. I got your house all ready for you, like we talked about. Had your bed moved down to the living room, so everything’s on one floor.”

“I can’t wait to get you alone with me in there. Without these stupid machines to tell the world when my heart rate picks up because of my girl.”

She giggles. “Can’t wait.”

My door swings open and a nurse wheels Braxton into the room. “Hey, Trent. How’re you doing?”

This isn’t the first visit my father’s made to my hospital room. My anger toward him has diminished, but we’re a long way from a kumbaya moment. Cordy stands. “Brax. So good to see you. I’ll let you two have a nice visit.” She kisses my cheek, hugs him, and disappears with the nurse.

Brax?

He wheels himself closer to my bed. “Your color is back to normal. Feeling better?”

“I am. Should be sprung soon.” This man did give me his kidney, so he deserves my response. But nothing more.

“Me, too. Getting back’s been more of a bitch than I thought.”

I tap my cast. “I hear you.” Without this man—my father—I would be dead already. Not making plans with Cordy to go home. With her.

“Happy I was able to help.”

I rub the back of my neck, avoiding all the wires. “In case I didn’t say it before, thanks.”

“You have.” He waves his hand. “It’s the least I could do since I wasn’t there when you were growing up.”

His words noseplant into my new kidney. “Well, in your defense, you didn’t know I even existed.” For the first time, the truth lodges in my heart. Is it right for me to continue to hold a grudge when he was clueless?

“Can you share a little bit with me? How was your childhood?”

I shrug. “It was good, I guess. I met the guys in the band early on. We always were playing music and getting into trouble.” Like riding the Light Rail for free. I beam at the memory.

“I get that. I’ve known the guys in Hunte forever.”

Huh. Another similarity. “I can tell. You guys gel when you’re on the stage.”

He smiles, and the crow’s feet by his eyes crinkle. Wonder if I’ll get them someday? “I have to admit, I’m kinda pumped one of my kids has some musical chops.”

“Mom was surprised when I picked up the guitar, but she always supported me.” I blink. “She was our biggest cheerleader.”

“I’m so glad you had her.”

I rub my hand down my arm, over the tattoo that honors her. For the first time in a long while, I allow myself a moment of happiness over my decision to get it. “She was kinda amazing.” No lie.

“Would you tell me one story? From when you were a kid.”

His question takes me back. My mind races backward, discarding memories, until I settle in on a relatively innocuous one. “Well, when I was about eight or so, Mom got me a bike for my birthday.”

“Which is when?”

“March fifteenth.”

He nods. “Ah. Beware the Ides of March.”

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