Page 6 of Curveball: The Baby and the Grump

They both share a glance, then nod subtly and head for the door. As Doctor Brown steps through, Freya lingers and turns back to me. “I’ll come back soon.”

I have no idea why she’s so obsessed with me, or why she hesitates as she goes. Surely she can’t be crushing? I know I’m a great-looking guy, but she’s the last person I would ever have expected to see that look on. It’s not like I struggle for female attention — I know what attraction looks like.

Why does she care?

And worse, why does it feel so good that she does?

This can’t all be in my head. But as the door closes behind her, leaving me with the memory of her smile, I start to doubt it. It’s her job to be kind, isn’t it? What this is really telling me is I need to get laid sometime soon.

The silence of the room and the murmuring of the rest of the hospital around me is crushing — everyone else with someone, with their people who love and care. People whose families are uncomplicated and lovely, who don’t misunderstand them or act like they’re unreasonable for wanting a life. It must be so easy for them all.

As for me, I don’t know a single person on earth who I want to call and ask to pick me up tonight. And that means I’m trapped in here for the rest of time, or at least until I can persuade them that I don’t need anyone except myself.

CHAPTER 6

FREYA

I’m on second shift today, which is always my favorite one because I usually get to see Matt after school before I leave and I can get out of here by midnight, meaning I’m home by twelve thirty and can get some sleep in before I drop Matt off at school. As he gets older, I’m getting him to take the bus more often, though.

He used to be afraid of the school bus when he was a kid, believing that it was going to take him away and that he’d never come home. It got really bad after Mom died. That’s when I started driving him all the time. Now he’s a little older, he’s a little braver. But I don’t like to see him cry, so most mornings, I drag myself up after six hours of sleep and drop him off before coming home to collapse back into bed.

Today has been quieter than usual — still busy, of course, but by the time eleven thirty hits, I manage to pass Jackson’s room, where he’s still sat looking sorry for himself. As I stare as subtly through his window as I can, Doctor Brown comes past and does the same thing.

We share a look. “He’s not got anyone to pick him up, has he?” I say.

Doctor Brown shakes his head. “Doesn’t look like it. But he can’t stay overnight; we don’t have the space to spare for some rich guy moping about the place.”

“I’ll take him,” I say without thinking. I realize immediately that I’m probably going to regret it, and not just because it means spending more time with Jackson. No doubt he lives in the exact opposite direction to me, so it’ll take me three times as long to get home.

If Doctor Brown and Jackson both agree to this, I’m so getting Matt to take the bus tomorrow. It’s not true to say I don’t care, because I do, but I’m exhausted.

“You don’t have to do that,” says Doctor Brown.

I shrug. “Well, somebody’s got to. It looks like he doesn’t have any friends.”

“Weird, but looks like it. You still got a half hour or so in your shift, right?”

I nod, and Doctor Brown leans in and winks at me.

“Get him out of here now. I won’t tell anybody if you don’t. This way, at least you’ll still be on the clock for dealing with him.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. The relief of getting to leave a little early rushes through me, and I nod at him again before dashing into Jackson’s room before anyone else can call on me to do anything.

I shut the door behind me and clear my throat to get Jackson’s attention. He startles, his eyes flying open from the little nap or daydream he was having. I don’t feel bad for disturbing him, even if he did look peaceful.

“Come on, get up,” I say as I head over to the bed.

“Huh?” is all he says in response, blinking slowly. Maybe he was actually asleep. Whoops.

“I’m taking you home. Put your clothes back on.”

He gawps at me, blinking hard as he takes in what I’m saying. But I don’t hesitate for long enough to let him get any ideas. Instead, I pull back the covers and gesture pointedly to his pants that are crumpled on a chair. He doesn’t complain, just gets up slowly and goes for his clothes. I turn my back for the sake of his dignity, even though it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.

“Okay, ready,” he says a moment later, and I turn back to him.

“Cool. Come on.”

I crook my finger for him to follow, and we walk with purpose down the corridor. Not wanting to be seen by anyone who might question where we’re going, I weave us towards the back staircase where I sneak him out. Jackson gives me a look at the idea of having to go down a flight of stairs, but I ignore him. It’s not really him I’m sneaking out. Doctor Brown might have given me the go-ahead, but Suzette won’t be happy if she learns I’ve left early.

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