Chapter 16

But I was surprised he seemed to know about me.“How…how do you know?I haven’t even told Mom,”I whispered.

They exchanged those knowing glances that only people who’ve spent their lives together could share.I shrugged.It was out.I wasn’t going to deny it.Now wasn’t the time,anyway.

“So,what’s going on?”I asked,changing the subject.

“We need to make some plans.”Grandpa began.

I nodded,waiting for him to continue,but Grandma started talking instead.“The doctor thinks your mom will be here at least a week,possibly up to two.They had to do a lot of repair work in her abdomen and they’re keeping an eye on her for infection.Her nose is broken,as well as several ribs and right ankle.Her left wrist is broken,but seems to be the least of her issues.Her eyes are still swollen,but the swelling is going down some.Once it does,they’ll have a better idea of possible damage to her sight.Her kidneys are bruised,as well.”Grandma had let it all come out in a rush,as if afraid Pamela would return before she could finish.

Grandpa placed his hand over hers and squeezed it.“What we’re saying is that your mom is going to need several months to heal.Once she passes the danger zone,she’ll need‘round-the-clock care.We want to take her home with us,as well as you and Pamela,for the time being.”

Live with them?I hadn’t even thought about the possibility.

“What about our house?”I asked.

“We thought we could get it fixed up,”he said.“And when your mom is well enough to live on her own,she’ll still have the home for the three of you,if it’s what she wants.Once the divorce is final,she may decide she wants to move closer to us…we still have a lot to discuss.We’re just here to support all of you.”

“Divorce?”

“We’re assuming that’s what she’ll want,honey,”Grandma said,patting my hand.

I had no idea why it surprised me.In fact,I realized I hadn’t even given much thought to my father.“Have we heard anything about…about him?”I couldn’t bring myself to even say the word“dad.”He didn’t deserve that title anymore.

They looked at each other again,as if debating whether to tell me what they knew.

“I’m eighteen,guys.I can handle it.”

Grandpa sighed.“You’re right.You’re practically a man.Actually,you’re more of a man than your father has everbeen.”

Grandma wiped at her eyes.“Yes.Yes,you are.”

“A detective stopped by this morning.They’re waiting for your mother to wake up,so they can interview her,but he said it wouldn’t matter.You and Jeff both saw him…”He clutched my grandma’s hand before he picked back up.“You both saw him beating her and Pamela filled them in on the beginning of the‘domestic incident,’as the detective called it.”

“What started it?”I asked,vaguely remembering that question being asked last night.I was pretty sure Pamela had answered,but I couldn’t remember what she’d said.

“Pamela said he was upset because the toaster broke and only toasted one side of his bread.”

I nodded.Yeah,that sounded like him.“So he’s in jail,right?”

“Yes,”Grandpa said.“Once he sobered up and the hospital staff checked him over,they transferred him there.They’re charging him with attempted murder and several other lesser charges.They’re asking for a two-point-five million dollar bond.”

“Whoa…that should keep him in there,”I said.

I sat quietly,letting everything settle in my mind.I didn’t know what to think or feel about anything at the moment.My body still felt numb after last night.God,it had been horrific,yet Jeff had been amazing.I wasn’t sure I’d know how to handle walking into someone’s family nightmare like he did.

I looked around the mostly empty cafeteria in search of him.I needed my friend,but I didn’t see him anywhere.Panic bubbled up in my chest until I saw him stroll around the corner,Pamela at his side,chatting up a storm.His gaze landed on me and my stomach fluttered.He smiled and I immediately settled down.

We soon decided we’d given the doctor enough time,so we headed upstairs.On the elevator,Grandpa brought up the new living arrangements.

Jeff shot me a look of surprise.I guessed he hadn’t thought it through either.“But what about your job,Aaron?Plus,graduation is in a couple of months!And what about us—I mean your…your friends?”

“You have a job?”Grandpa asked,turning to me.“Why didn’t you mention it?”

I shrugged.“I don’t know.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes.It’s at the movie theater.I’m saving up for college.”

Grandpa beamed.“Very commendable,young man,”he said,clapping his hand on my shoulder.

“You could stay with me!”Jeff blurted.

We all turned to him.

“No,really!That way you can still work,be near your friends,and finish school.You can also keep an eye on the house.”

Grandpa mulled it over.“That seems like a good plan,son.Even if your mom doesn’t want to keep the house,we’re going to have a lot of repair work.It would be helpful to have someone nearby to meet with contractors.What do you think,Aaron?”

I eagerly agreed.I knew if I stayed at my grandparents,I’d have to either sleep on the sofa or share a room with Pamela.They’d moved to a much smaller home recently,calling it“downsizing.”

“Do you think your mom would let me?”I asked Jeff.

He beamed.“Of course…or at least,I think so.I’d better call and check.”

As we moved down the hall,he headed the other way to phone his mom.

I followed my grandparents into a room and held my breath at the sight before me.Mom was black and blue almost everywhere.Her face was almost unrecognizable and she had a tube up her nose and an IV in her arm.I held back a gasp and made my way to the side of the bed.I wanted to hold her hand,but I wasn’t sure where I could touch her without hurting her.

Grandma must have sensed my concern,because she gently placed my hand on my mother’s arm.“Don’t squeeze.Just keep your hand there so she can feel the warmth.”

I nodded and looked back at my mom.Her eyes fluttered open,as wide as the swelling would allow.But she closed them almost immediately.I hoped she would wake up again,but as the minutes ticked by,she remained asleep.