Page 177 of Sticks and Stones
That made Sam laugh.
Yeah, he was going to be okay. That was the sense of humor that always made him laugh, and stay calm. If Charlie was joking around, he was going to be okay.
When he told him he was having‘the big one’,Sam’s whole world came screeching to a halt.
This was the man he loved.
“I’ll stay with you while you’re in the hospital. It should only be a day or so. God knows you’re out of control on a good day, and can’t be left alone to your own devices. We don’t need you driving the nurses crazy. You want those good meds.”
Yes, yes, he did.
“It’ll be fun. Think of it like camping.”
Charlie went there.
“Yeah, if you wanted the neighbors in the tents to have TB, Measles, Mumps, and Polio. Then, yes, Sammy, it’s all kinds of contagious fun.”
It amused Sam.
Charlie always did.
So, he reassured him.
“There are shots for all of those diseases, and I know you’ve had them. Calm down,” he said, amused. “This is exactly why I have to stay.”
Charlie grinned up at him.
There was a time when he’d not have someone stand over him and care about him. Sam was definitely the best thing he’d ever done.
Other than having Elizabeth.
“Want to climb into bed with me, and we can have some real fun?” he asked. “We can take my lack of gallbladder out for a spin.”
Sam opened his mouth to warn Charlie, but didn’t get to say anything.
Why?
Elizabeth cleared her throat. She was sitting five feet from him in another chair, waiting for him to realize she was there.
The whole time, she was taking in the interaction between the two men, watching her father finally have happiness with Sam.
It made her heart happy.
Why?
She understood that joy. Elizabeth had found the same peace with Chris.
God knew he’d be waiting for her to wake up if she was coming out of surgery, or God forbid, a coma. He’d be right there, like Sam.
Thank God for a good ME.
As soon as he heard her voice, Charlie actually cringed.
Oh, shit.
This was uncomfortable.
“That’s not my kid, is it?” he asked, knowing how awkward it was whenever she asked him personal questions about his sex life.
