Page 141 of Roses Are Dead
“It’s not that simple. There’s a standing order for his bone marrow to go to his sister. But his parents showed up ten minutes ago and asked to nullify the request.”
“What?” I stood up and immediately regretted it. The room spun so badly I had to put a hand on the wall to keep my feet under me.
“They’re claiming it will kill him.”
“Good.” I hoped it killed him slowly.
“Beth is their daughter, right?” Tits asked to clarify.
“That’s right,” her husband answered.
“Don’t they care about her?”
I shook my head. “They’d fuck her over for Carl. He’s their golden boy.” The room stopped spinning, but I was tired as fuck. I sat back down because this night was getting long. I still hadn’t seen Rose, and that’s what I really wanted.
No, needed. I had to apologize. Grovel. Beg her forgiveness. Even battered, bruised, drugged, scraped up, and struck by lightning, she had the compassion to think of her friend. “Did anyone call John or ask Beth?”
“The hospital did. John’s on his way here to advocate for his wife.”
That was good. Maybe he could talk some sense into her parents. And if he couldn’t, well… maybe they should get a visit from Wolf and me? “You up to a haunting?”
“A what?” Wolf asked.
“You know, what bad little bikers do to good God-fearing folk on Halloween night.”
Wolf grinned. “Who are you calling little? Cause that ain’t me, and it certainly isn’t you.”
Tits flicked her blade out. “I think he means me.”
“Oh yeah, like you’d scare anyone,” I teased.
I came about one millimeter from having another cut requiring stitches. But Tits was a master of blade control. She pressed just hard enough to draw a single drop of blood.
I rubbed it away. “I’ve had paper cuts that bled more.”
Tits examined her knife. “Didn’t you lose enough blood tonight?”
“What’s a few ounces more between friends?” I joked.
I’d bet Wolf regretted showing up. He leaned in and kissed his wife. “Stay here, guard Rose’s room for Bear. We’re going to go for a walk.”
“Don’t get arrested,” she said right before giving him a quick smooch.
“That’s it?” Wolf asked.
Tits shrugged. “I’m not bailing you out. You put me on baby-sitting detail…in a hospital.”
“You know what I mean. Kiss me like you mean it.” He locked lips with her for longer than was necessary.
I grunted to remind them this was a public hallway. Wolf flipped me off, and finished his mauling.
Finally, Tits broke the kiss.
Wolf frowned but gave her space. Then he motioned to me. “Come on, Bear.”
We stopped outside the ER.
His mother looked like Carl used to. It was rather eerie.
