Page 68 of Restless
“Didn’t Christopher say you have to respect adults?”
“When I see an adult, I’ll respect them.”
Behind her, her mother struggled to her feet. Horrified, Rebel turned and wrapped an arm around Momma to keep her steady.
“Get out, Johnnie. I won’t have you disrespect my daughter. I’ve heard you loud and clear. You want me to leave. Christopher likes babies, and I’m too old and used up to give him anymore. I’m not leaving my husband even if you offered me fifty million dollars.”
“The one fucking thing you’re supposedly good at, popping out his children, and you’ve failed. He wants to leave a legacy.”
“Why are you doing this to me?” Momma asked, her sniffles horrifying Rebel. “I can’t leave…Please, stop torturing me. I’m not getting a hysterectomy. Okay? No matter what Jordan says. I’ll give Christopher as many babies as he wants.”
“What? Momma…” Rebel snatched her phone from her pocket, but before she dialed the door opened again and Uncle Mort walked in, carrying a bag in one hand and a cupholder with four drinks in the other.
He looked from Momma to Uncle Johnnie and leaned against the door to keep it open. “Don’t say a fucking word. Just leave, Johnnie. I don’t know what the fuck is possessing you, motherfucker, but Red losing her shit because your bitch-ass disappeared. Now, you here fucking with Meggie? If you not gone by the time my hands free, I’m shooting your fucking ass off and putting you out your goddamn misery.”
For a moment, Uncle Johnnie seemed as if he’d argue. Then, Uncle Mort headed for the bed table. In the minute it took him to set the bag and cupholder down, Uncle Johnnie rushed out of the room without another word.
The encounter left Rebel shaken and her mother in tears. Anger blanketed Uncle Mort’s face, although he was gentle as he helped Momma back to her bed and instructed Rebel to call the nurse then go to the nursery and get Diesel and Daddy.
When she returned with her father and Diesel in tow, Momma was asleep. Rebel suspected the nurse had sedated her. Still, it broke her heart as the scene played out.
“Megan, I took a couple pictures of Jo,” Daddy said as he followed Rebel into the room and nodded to Uncle Mort, who sat in the chair Momma had vacated. Seeing Momma’s closed eyes and still form wiped away Daddy’s smile. “Megan?”
She didn’t answer.
Diesel walked to the foot of the bed.
“Megan?” Daddy called again, his gaze snapping from the monitors to her. Her vital signs were steady and strong. “Baby?” He leaned down and kissed her lips.
“She started having a lot of pain, Prez,” Uncle Mort said. It seemed he needed a few moments to control his anger toward Uncle Johnnie. For whatever reason, he wasn’t revealing the truth. “I called her nurse and she gave her a sedative.”
Daddy had gone pale. He nodded, then sat in the seat he rarely left, close to her side, between her bed and the door. “I’ll just wait for her to wake up.”
Uncle Mort handed Diesel a white Styrofoam cup.
“We have a roast beef sandwich and a Coke, Uncle Chris.”
“I’m not hungry—”
“Momma told me she’s worried you’re losing weight and was happy Uncle Mort was bringing you a sandwich,” Rebel said. “She was going to steal a piece. When she wakes up, you can tell her that you ate.”
He dragged his worried gaze away from Momma. “She…she’sworried?”
“Daddy, don’t do that. We don’t care how you talk, and I will fucking scream if you correct every other word.”
“I ain’t…I don’t want Megan worryin’,” he said in a distant, distracted way that suggested he was a step away from going mad. “Where the fuck the sandwich?”
Rebel snatched the drink from Diesel and placed a straw in it, then held it close to her father’s lips. “Have a sip first.”
He followed her instructions. “Motherfucker kinda bitter.”
“Here, Prez.” Uncle Mort gave Daddy the sandwich and a couple napkins. “Take a few bites.”
“Soda has caffeine and fructose,” Diesel offered. “If you drink this, it’ll help you stay awake as well as the buckets of coffee.”
Daddy ate in silence, barely focusing on the sandwich, too busy staring at Momma as she slept. Once he finished the food, Uncle Mort took the wrapper and used napkins and discarded both in the trashcan.
“Momma’s fine, Daddy,” Rebel whispered, and hugged him, careful not to drop the cup. She kissed his cheek and smiled when he wrapped his arms around her. “Have more Coke,” she said, stepping away from him and handing him the drink.
