Page 65 of I Blame the Club

“You need to come home.”

There’s something off about Jonathan’s voice, his usual commanding tone missing its usual bite. Unease pricks my skin as I exit the locker room, seeking privacy from the suspicious eyes of my teammates.

“I have a game in an hour.”

Not that you would know that.

A twinge of annoyance seeps through my discomfort. For all his concern about my league status and academic records, when it comes to being a present father, Jonathan is severely lacking. If it weren’t for the affection he showered over my mother, I would think he was incapable of loving at all.

“There’s been an accident.”

It takes a moment for the words to sink in, but once they do, panic floods my body. My mouth goes dry as a wave of nausea hits me, my knees almost buckling as I drop onto a nearby bench.

“Stella?” Fear builds with every beat of my heart, the pressure increasing until it feels like I’m about to explode.

“She’s in Emergency.”

My mind flashes to every worst case scenario but nothing prepares me for what my father says next.

“Your sister will be okay but your mother… she’s dead.”

By the time I make it to the Vancouver General Hospital, Brett has messaged me saying the Tigers won the game. I feel nothing as I read the message, my mind and body on autopilot as I turn off my phone. Life in Taber didn’t press pause just because I’m rushing to a hospital to see what’s left of my sister. It continues as it always has. Even though my favourite person in the world is no longer in it.

There’s a part of me that doesn’t believe my mother is dead. A part of me hopes that I’m rushing into the hospital to find both my mother and Stella waiting for me. It’s a silly, irrational thought but it’s the only one I’ve got.

Marching to the front desk, I hand the tired nurse my credentials.

“I’m looking for my sister, Stella O’Brien. Can you point me in the right direction?”

She takes a glance at my ID and points to the corridor to our right.

“First door on your left. Should be room 817.”

“Thank you.”

Resisting the urge to sprint in that direction, I walk as fast as possible to the designated door. Flinging it open, I’m almost knocked over by a nurse rushing through. The sight of her stained scrubs immediately puts a sour taste in my mouth.

Where the hell is my sister?

The corridor looks like a scene straight from a horror movie: doctors and nurses rushing past while bloodied and moaning patients are being wheeled into different rooms. Gritting my teeth, I make my way down the hall, scanning for the right room number. My father’s cold, clipped tone catches my attention and I spot him barking into his cell phone outside the room at the very end. He looks exactly the same since the last time I saw him and relief crashes through me.

“Dad!”

Jonathan starts at my voice and quickly ends the call. My control slips and I finally let myself break into a run. I don’t think before wrapping my arms around my father, his familiar build bringing a fleeting moment of peace.

“Tell me mom isn’t really gone.” My voice cracks and my shoulders start to shake as my control comes crashing down. Firm hands grip my shoulders and for a second I think he’s going to hug me back.

“Maurice.” Jonathan pushes me away and I stumble a couple of feet before looking at him in shock. His eyes narrow, their pale colour emptier than ever before.

“Pull yourself together. I did not raise my son to meltdown in public.”

My spine immediately straightens but my hands continue to shake. Jonathan notices and curls his lips in disgust.

“Enough. Stop the dramatics and go take care of your sister. She needs you right now.”

My brows pinch together as anger replaces the grief, “How can you be like this? Stella and I just lost our mother-

“And I lost my wife.” Jonathan’s eyes flash dangerously, “Don’t think your loss is greater than mine, son. Your mother was mine long before you came into this world.”

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