He offers a weak smile, but it quickly fades. “I... I don’t remember.”
I exchange glances with Natalie.
Her face falls, but she masks it quickly. “That’s okay. It’s probably the concussion. The doctors said you hit your head pretty hard.”
Roland shifts uncomfortably. His breath rattles faintly.
Natalie pulls the chair closer to his bed, her voice thick. “I’ll come visit you every day, okay? I’ll make sure you’re not alone.”
I don’t love the idea, but one look at her, and I know I can’t stop her.
“I’ll bring her,” I say quietly. “But only when you're strong enough.”
Roland gives a faint nod.
Natalie’s eyes brim with tears. “You were trying to tell me something, remember? Right before the car came. You said you needed to tell me something.”
Roland’s brow creases. “I did?”
“Yes. You said it was important.”
His eyes flicker with effort, searching for something in thefog of his memory, but he shakes his head slowly. “I... I don’t know. I’m sorry.”
Natalie covers his hand with hers. “That’s okay. It’ll come back. Rest now.”
The curtain draws back, and my father steps in. Stoic as ever, but his eyes soften when they land on Roland.
“You look like hell,” he mutters.
“Like you look any better,” Roland rasps with a faint smile.
Dad pulls up a chair and rests a hand on Roland’s shoulder.
“I’ll stay with him,” Dad says without looking at me. “Helen and I will stay with him.”
I nod. “Let us know if anything changes.”
“Or if you need anything,” Natalie murmurs. She gives Roland’s hand one last squeeze before we step out into the hallway.
Nick is leaning against the wall outside. Alone.
“Hey,” he says, shifting uncomfortably.
“Hey.”
Natalie excuses herself to join Sarah as the rest of the family check on Roland, leaving us alone.
Nick runs a hand through his hair. “I just... I wanted to say sorry. For Elisha. What she said earlier. That was out of line.”
I nod, crossing my arms. “You don’t have to apologize for her, Nick.”
His jaw tightens. “She’s just... overwhelmed. This pregnancy’s been rough.”
“So has this marriage. You don’t seem happy. You haven’t for a while.”
His shoulders stiffen. “It’s not that simple.”
“Isn’t it?”
