Page 191 of Choosing You

It’s like he forgot I was here yesterday. Ryan warned me that Frank might have some memory problems and confusion from his injury. I go along with it and pretend I just got here.

“College is good. And I brought Garret back with me. My boyfriend.”

“Yes, I know. I met him yesterday.”

NowI’mthe one confused. He remembers meeting Garret yesterday? But he doesn’t remember seeingme? I ignore it. Between the brain injury and his meds, I’m sure he’s not all there.

“Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?” Frank asks.

“Yes, it was great.” I already told him all about Thanksgiving weeks ago over the phone.

“It’s too bad your mother is gone. She used to love Thanksgiving. Well, all holidays, really, especially Christmas.”

He’s definitely not all there. My mom did not love Thanksgiving or any holidays, at least not when I knew her.

Frank’s eyes are getting heavy. “You could spend Christmas with your father.”

I glance at Garret, unsure how to react to Frank’s confused gibberish.

“I saw him on the news,” Frank continues. “He’s here, you know.”

My stomach drops when he says it. I know Frank’s completely out of it, but why would he say something like that?

“I should probably let you rest.” I turn to leave but Frank keeps talking.

“Your mother always said you didn’t look like him. But every time I see that bastard on TV, I think you have his smile.”

A chill runs down my spine. I don’t know why he’s saying this stuff to me, but it’s freaking me out.

I go back over to his bed. “Okay, Frank. Well, we’re going to leave and let you get some sleep.”

“I left a box in your room, Jade. Photos of your mother.” His eyelids close, then slowly open again. “There’s an article that shows your father at that speech before it happened. Can’t believe he got away with it. And now he’s in the running.”

“In the running for what?”

“He’s running for president. Your father. Royce Sinclair.”

CHAPTERFIFTY

I back away fromFrank’s bed, a chill now radiating throughout my entire body. I know it’s not true. Frank is clearly confused. But why would that thought even enter his head?

Garret grabs my hand and gives me a look to get out of there. Frank’s eyes are now completely closed and he seems to be sleeping.

Ryan comes back just as we’re leaving. He follows us into the hall.

“What did your dad say to you earlier?” I ask him. “Anything odd?”

“No. We talked about what his doctor said, then went over some insurance stuff.”

“So it didn’t seem like the meds were making him loopy or anything?”

He shakes his head. “He was tired but not like drugged out or anything. Why are you asking? Did something happen when you were in there?”

“Um, no. I mean, at first he acted like I’d just got here. Like I wasn’t here yesterday, so he seemed a little confused.”

“He was really out of it yesterday. He probably didn’t remember.”

“Yeah. That’s probably it.”

---