Under the Viaduct by H. Anderson (first e reader txt) 📗

The nurse talked Kaylee through helping him put his shirt on, then the sling and swath. She went through the discharge instructions, including how to care for his wound and when to follow up, with both of them. Blayne signed the papers, and they were ready to go.

He hesitated at the door. “I’m a little nervous. About meeting your family.”

“Well, hopefully you can repay the favor soon, when I finally get to meet your parents.”

Blayne grunted.

They walked slowly, Blayne still weak from his near-death experience. The only reason the nurse hadn’t insisted on a wheelchair for his discharge was because they weren’t actually leaving the hospital. Kaylee’s family stood when they entered the waiting room. Her dad stepped forward and extended his hand. As they shook hands, he said, “Blayne, it’s so nice to meet you. My name is Clarence.” He paused and looked down. When he spoke again, he choked up. “Thank you for saving her life.”

Blayne replied. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” He glanced at Kaylee then back at her dad. “I would die to protect your daughter.”

Kaylee’s mom, crying, stepped between him and Clarence wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you,” she blubbered.

Blayne froze, looking flustered for a moment. Then he put his right arm around her and let her cry, not pulling away until she did, his own eyes filled with tears.

Kaylee’s mom wiped her face and cleared her throat. “I’m Linda. And you are every bit as handsome as Kaylee said you were.”

“Mom!” Kaylee, of course, blushed.

“Well, he is.” Linda winked at Blayne.

“Hey, guys,” Luke said, stepping into the circle. “I think we should let these two sit down. Blayne looks pretty pale.” He looked at Blayne. “I’m Luke. The awesome little brother.”

“Nice to meet you, Luke,” Blayne said. “And, from everything your sister has told me about you, you truly are awesome. And a bit spoiled.”

Luke smirked and shrugged. “What can I say? Some people deserve to be spoiled.” He took Blayne by the right arm and led him toward a chair. “Now sit down before you fall down.”

Sweat sprung out on Blayne’s forehead and upper lip again as he gingerly sat.

Linda, concern etched into the creases in her face, said, “Are you sure they didn’t release you too soon?”

Blayne looked at Kaylee and nodded, giving her permission to speak for him.

She laid her hand on his knee. “Blayne is having a hard time with pain control. He’s a recovering drug addict and refuses to take narcotics.”

Luke was first to speak. “Wow, dude, that’s badass.”

“Luke! Language,” Linda said. “But, indeed, that is badass.”

Everyone laughed.

“That takes a lot of grit, young man,” Clarence said. “I don’t know that I’d be able to do that. Even with the strong stuff, I was a huge baby after my ankle surgery.”

Kaylee’s mom nodded.

“You guys…you aren’t gonna judge me?” Blayne said in wonder.

“No, son,” Kaylee’s dad said softly. “We all have things we’d rather not remember from our past. It’s what you do from here on that matters.”

Blayne shook his head. “But my past life got your daughter kidnapped. She could have been killed because of me.”

Clarence scooted his chair, positioning it directly in front of Blayne. He leaned in, his gaze never leaving Blayne’s eyes. “You can’t control the actions of others, Blayne, just your own. And your actions were heroic.”

“Your family is amazing,” Blayne said.

“Yeah, they really are.” Kaylee smiled even though she was struggling to push the wheelchair she’d “borrowed” to get Blayne to Mama C’s room.

Mama C had been moved to a hospice room on the regular medical floor. She’d refused all treatment, including antibiotics, fluids, and breathing treatments. She was only allowing oxygen, the nurse had told them, because she wanted to be alert for their visit.

As hard as it was, they had agreed to each other that they would honor Mama C’s wishes and vowed that neither of them would leave her side until it was over.

The room was larger and much quieter than her room in the MICU had been. Kaylee parked Blayne on one side of the bed and she went to the other side.

Mama C started right in. “I want you two to do me a favor.”

“Of course,” Kaylee answered.

“I wanna see the others. The kids. Before I go.”

Just saying those few words seemed to take all she had. She closed her eyes, her chest rattled with each laborious breath she drew.

Kaylee and Blayne looked at each other over her bed, her shell of a body. Neither of them wanted to leave her side, but they’d known this request was coming. They’d talked about it that morning. Kaylee whispered, “I’ll call Allie.”

Blayne nodded.

She took her phone over by the window and Facetimed her friend. “Allie,” she said, making sure the camera was positioned to catch the movement of her lips. “I have a huge favor to ask of you.”

Allie rolled her eyes. “It seems like there have been a lot of those lately. Ask away.”

Kaylee explained the situation and asked Allie if she would drive down to the viaduct and see if the three kids were there. She’d met them when Max had gone down to examine Mama C, and they should all be able to recognize her. If any of them were there, Allie would bring them to the hospital. If not, she would call back. Allie agreed, not even ending with a smart-aleck remark.

Sighing, Kaylee went back to Mama C’s bedside and laid her hand on the woman’s arm. Blayne looked up at her expectantly and she nodded, lips pursed against her emotions.

“Mama?” Kaylee said. “I have someone who’d like to talk to you on the phone.”

Sick as she was, Mama C was still able to open her eyes and give a look that made Kaylee’s knees quake. “And who might that be?”

“Don’t be mad at me, please,” Kaylee pleaded. “But I got in contact with your old friends in New York. Beth wants to talk to you.”

“Beth?” Mama C whispered. A