Page 96 of Corkscrew You
“Could it be his heart?” says Mom, almost frantic.
“Ginny, his heart sounds fine to me,” replies Doc in his steady way. “But in my field, we err on the side of caution. Boy’s not going to be worse off for having a thorough check-up. Do him good to take a bit of time out, even if he has to spend it in a clinic.”
He pushes on his knees, rises from the chair.
“Come see me in the morning, Nate, and I’ll set you up. But listen to me …” He waits till he has my full attention. “Take it easy for the next few days. Lie around on the couch. Watch bad TV. Get to bed early. Eat good food, and plenty of it.”
“We’ll look after him,” says Ava.
I don’t like the way she’s smiling.
“Run you home, Doc?”
She jangles the Porsche keys in her hand. Danny snatches them from her.
“I’llrun him home,” he says.
“Spoilsport,” Ava mutters.
Once Danny’s left with Doc, I decide I may as well try getting to my feet. I’m OK during the standing process, but sway a little when I’m fully upright. Suddenly, I have Izzy and Max on either side. They grab an arm each.
“Where to?” says Max. “Bed or couch?”
“You’renotputting me to bed,” I tell him. That’s enough humiliation for one day.
“Yessir. Couch it is.”
“Nate?”
Mom comes up, cups my face with one hand. She looks upset, and exhausted. Possibly, I don’t look that snappy, either.
“You lie down, and I’ll bring you some food,” she says.
“We’ve got that covered, Mom,” says Izzy. “Don’t you worry.”
“But—”
“Mom.” Ava has her arm around our mother’s shoulders. “Chill. He’ll be fine.”
Mom bursts into tears, and Ava pulls her into an embrace, stroking her hair and gently shushing her.
Dad, who’s been glowering this whole time, stalks off without a word to any of us. I see Ava raise her middle finger at his departing back.
And then I spot the other silent witness to this little drama. Shelby. Standing back, hands clasped so tight, her knuckles are white.
Her big blue-green eyes lock onto mine, and, as I’m trapped between the twins, I make the best apology face I can. I hope she knows it’s not just for right now, but for the last few days as well.
Shelby’s hands fly to cover her mouth, but then, like a miracle, she blows me a kiss. I feel light-headed again, but this time it’s from sheer relief. I’m about to draw the twins’ attention to her, but Izzy’s already on the case.
“Shelby,” she says. “Follow us. We’ll get Nate settled, and then … don’t know … break out the bourbon?”
“Is bourbon medicinal?” asks Max, as we head towards the TV room.
“It is now,” I say. “Although I should probably have a sandwich or something.”
The twins lead me to the couch and make as if I should be lying down.
“Nope,” I resist. “Sitting is just fine.”
