“Oh, don’t start the Mr. Walker bullshit, Pri.” I roll my eyes at her.
“I’ll update you if anything else happens tonight, but I assure you, I’ll make sure nothing does. We’re working on figuring out how she came about getting the knife, and I’ll report to you when we know more.” Her voice is suddenly so… monotone.
She slightly bows her head, and I shake my head. “This is why I didn’t want a young nurse. You’re such a brat sometimes.”
“I’ll send you my best referrals if a new nurse is a path you want to take, Mr. Walker.”
I stare at her for a minute, but she doesn’t even blink. “You’re fucking ridiculous.” I walk away from her because I’m not dealing with this tonight.
“Liam, come meet my friend Susan.” She makes me meet this woman every time I come, and I don’t like her.
“It’s nice to meet you, Leo.”
I blink twice in her direction, and when she smiles, I look away. I know that old hag knows my name, and she’s a horrible actor with even shittier humor. My mom laughs softly, and I almost think she’s in on whatever joke this is. Somedays, I really do think everyone in here is faking it, but I don’t voice my thoughts.
“Oh, Liam, I know I said I’d go see your new apartment, but our show is starting soon, and I don’t want to miss it. I’ll go after, but it’s already getting late and–”
“It’s okay, Mom.”
She smiles up at me, and I kiss the side of her head before pulling her in for a hug. “I’ll see you soon.”
She barely hugs me as she rushes to the couch and gets comfortable as the show starts. I almost walk away, but she suddenly freezes and looks around for something.
“Mom, what is it?”
“Oh, Liam.” She turns around and holds her chest. “I didn’t see you there. Where’s the baby?” She looks around again, but when she tries to stand, I stop her.
“I’ll get her. Watch your show.” I direct her back on the couch, and I watch her as she sings the theme song. The two other residents walk in, singing before sitting on the couch with my mom and Susan.
I take a seat behind her and stay for two episodes of whatever horrible show this is, but she looks fine, and I don’t want her to even get reminded of Shanti by seeing me, so I leave without saying goodbye. When I turn, my eyes lock on Capri. I pull my gaze away from her as I head for the door, but just as I pass her, she walks out of the house with me.
“I really am sorry about telling her that. I’ve told her once before, and she didn’t react like that; she remembered what happened and–”
“I don’twanther to remember that day, Capri.” I stop in my tracks as I turn to her. “You weren’t there. You don’t know what it was like to drag her off the floor as she sobbed for weeks when we lost Shanti.”
“I know, but–”
“You don’t though! When you lose your baby sister and have to take care of your grieving mother at seventeen, you can get back to me—actually, when your dad kills himself for what he did to his daughter,thenyou can get back to me.”
“Liam–”
“My mom is getting a new nurse. Send me those referrals.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sage
Isit up in thebed as Liam walks in, and he looksbeat.I force myself not to think the worst and chew my lip in thought as he slips his hoodie and shoes off.
He doesn't say anything for a few minutes, but when he slips into bed, I can't take the silence anymore. “Is everything okay?”
Rather than responding, he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to him like I weighnothing.“I'm so fucking tired, Dory.” He lays his head on my stomach.
His words pull at my heartstrings, and I wrap my arms around him.
“I just need a break,” he mumbles, and I feel my throat tightening at how torn he sounds.
I kiss the top of his gently, and he squeezes me tighter. “Okay.” I kiss his hair again. “I'll be your break.”
