Page 250 of Redeemed

“I don’t want to leave him!”

“Hey,” Phil says weakly. “I’m not going anywhere. Couldn’t even if I wanted to.”

Rachel sniffles. “But Daddy—”

“Go.” His smile is pained but patient. “Just fifteen minutes, okay? Maybe Xander will get you some of that boba you like.”

Xander looks up. “What?”

“Yeah,” I say, cutting him a hard look. “You two can take a quick trip down the street, and then you’ll be right back, okay?”

Rachel looks like she wants to protest, but that’s the thing about being twelve. Sometimes, you don’t have a choice.

“All right,” she says dejectedly.

I know Xander doesn’t want to leave Phil, but he needs to get out of the hospital. He hasn’t been out in the sun since we got here. Hell, the only time he’s outside is when we’re leaving to go home for the night or when we’re on our way back.

He doesn’t protest, though. He knows if he wants Rachel to get out and walk, then he has to lead by example. That’s the thing about Xander. He’ll always put his family’s wellbeing above his own.

Once they’re gone, Phil clears his throat. “Luc.”

I move in closer so he doesn’t have to project his voice. “You need something?”

Slowly, he nods. “I need you to take Rachel and Xander home.”

“What?” I glance at my phone. “Phil, it’s barely three. There’s plenty of visiting time left.”

He shakes his head. “Rachel needs some normalcy, and I can’t keep this up.”

Oh.Just in the minute since Rachel and Xan have left, Phil has gone from looking mildly tired to downright miserable. He’s putting on an act for her, and it must be exhausting.

“You can sleep,” I tell him. “We told you we understand.”

“I knowyouthree do,” Phil says hoarsely, “but Rachel is scared enough as it is. Get her out of here. Please.”

“He’s right,” Bob says. “I’ll hold down the fort here. Josie is already over there doing laundry for you all, and she said she was going to make dinner while she’s over there. It’ll be good for Rachel to have a home-cooked meal. She probably needs a nap, too.”

“Xander isn’t going to want to leave you,” I warn.

“He knows he needs to prioritize his sister.”

“All right.” Uncle Bob stands and pats Phil’s arm. “The kids will say bye once they’re back. For now, you need to take a nap.”

With a tired nod, Phil closes his eyes. “Just… wake me…”

“We will, Phil.” I squeeze his hand. “Don’t worry.”

. . .

Neither Xander nor Rachel are happy about leaving the hospital, but Xander agrees that Rachel needs to go home, and he knows she won’t unless he does, too. I drive us back to the Eldridge’s house with one hand resting on Xander’s thigh the entire time.

When I pull into the driveway, Xander is staring out the window. I know he’s looking at the overgrown grass and the flowerbeds that need weeded. Phil was already struggling with the upkeep of the house—no time—and now it’s going to be even harder.

“Shit,” Xander mutters as we get out of the car.

Rachel punches him with her good arm.

“Hey! What the hell?”

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