Page 18 of Cryptic Curse
“Oh, Daddy,” Raven says, cupping his cheek.
“Raven flies,” he says.
The aphasia.
“How’s it hanging, Pop?”Eagle asks.“It’s great to see you awake and alert.”
“Eagle talon,” Dad says.
At least he’s able to get our names out.He knows who we all are.
“It’s okay, honey,” Mom says, squeezing his hand.“You don’t have to talk.”
But Dad’s eyes widen.“Need fences to mend,” he says.
Fences?That’s the second reference to a fence, but I’m pretty sure it means nothing.
He knows all the fences on our property are always in tip-top shape, but if he’s speaking metaphorically…
Hell, we all have fences to mend.
“Before looks, thanks dropping,” Dad says.
Mom just smiles, squeezing his hand again.“Yes, honey.We know.”
“But message long last time,” he says.
Eagle looks at me, fear in his dark eyes.
Is he looking for some kind of validation?That Dad is okay?
I have nothing.I can repeat what the nurse said, that the aphasia will probably resolve on its own, but he knows that as well as I do.
Still, I end up doing what I always do.“It’s okay, E,” I whisper.
Because even though I resent being my brother’s keeper and getting him out of all of his messes, he is still my little brother and I love him.I would take a bullet for him in an instant.
And yes, I resent the hell out of that.
“You look good, Dad,” Falcon says.
“Yeah, Daddy,” Robin agrees.“Your color is great.”
“Pill father though either,” Dad says.
“Can you count to ten for me, daddy?”Raven asks.
He squeezes his eyes shut.“One two four five seven nine ten.”
Not bad.He only left out three, six, and eight.
“Coming,” Dad says.
“It’s okay,” Mom says again.“You don’t have to talk, Austin.I know it must be frustrating for you.”
Dad’s breathing accelerates, and he blinks his eyes rapidly.
“Austin, please.Relax.”
