Page 36 of The Burnt
Declan went for his coat. “Come on. I’ll take you over.”
“No. No I… I’ve got to start on the case. It’s important.”
Mrs B looked toward Declan then intervened. “Well, you can’t start the case until the contract is signed, and I’ve still got alotof filing to do before it can be sent.”
“Okay,” Charlie replied uncertainly. He slowly stood.
“I’ll take you,” Declan said. “You’re in no state to drive.”
“No. I’ll just get an Uber.”
Declan frowned. “Are you sure you don’t want me there?”
“I do, but…my folks’ll be there. I haven’t talked to them in a while and they don’t know about us. They think you’re just my boss and things could get awkward. My dad blames you for everything—wasting my degree, getting a job that got me beat up and hit by a car… I just don’t think it’d be a good idea.”
Mrs B looked at Declan. “Let the boy go on his own. He’ll be fine.”
Charlie put his hand on Declan’s shoulder. “Never think that I don’t want you with me. It’s just that…”
“I understand,” Declan said, kissing Charlie on the forehead. “You’re doing what’s right for you. Come on. Grab your coat and I’ll take you down and get you an Uber.”
Charlie picked up his phone and placed a call. “Carrie, I’ll meet you at the hospital. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
* * * *
As Charlie rode in the back of the car, he thought about Gran. She was more than just his grandmother—she knew his secrets. She was the only one in the family who knew he was gay and she didn’t care. She loved him for who he was.
But when Charlie had started working with Declan, then moved in with Carrie, he’d abandoned his grandmother. How long had it been since he’d last seen her? Months. And when had he last called her? He couldn’t remember. All because he’d become so wrapped up in his life. In Declan’s life. And now she was in hospital, and he wasn’t sure if she was going to make it.
Why was it that every time he took a step forward in his life, he felt like he was always moving in the wrong direction?
Chapter Fourteen
Charlie held onto Carrie’s hand for support. He took a deep breath and entered the hospital. They were directed to a private room just off the ER. Charlie’s parents, Maggie and Ted, were on the opposite side of the room. When she saw Charlie, his mom walked around the bed and put her arms around him.
His father just said, “It’s good you’re here, Charlie. And nice to see you, too, Carrie.”
It had been a long time since he’d seen his parents.
Charlie made his way to the bedside.
Gran was lying with her eyes closed, hands at her side. Her right wrist was splinted. Tubes and cables ran from her arms to a series of machines. She looked…
“Am I too late?” he squeaked out, his eyes filling with tears.
“You think I’d go without saying goodbye?” a voice said. He looked down at Gran and she opened her eyes. “Lean down and give your gran a kiss.”
He did what he was told, then slid his arms around her and gave her a gentle hug.
“I love you, Gran,” he whispered to her.
“I love you too, boy.”
“What happened?”
“Oh, you know me. Always causing trouble. I was just heading to the bathroom when I felt dizzy. Next thing I know,” she said, pointing to the monitors beside the bed, “I’m here hooked up to all these gizmos.”
“Your gran fell and broke her wrist,” his father added. “The doctor told us they’ll get her in for surgery and deal with that, but they’re running some tests to see why she lost consciousness.”
