27: Got it

The closer they got to Girard, the tighter Terri's stomach twisted. It had been over six months since she’d visited home, though Charlie hadgone at least once a month to see their parents.

It wasn't that anything particularly bad had happened during her childhood. That was, if you didn't count the constant, underlying feeling that she would never be enough for her mom and dad.

And maybe she'd exacerbated that, built their preference for Charlie up in her head to make it more of a deal than it really was, but why delve into that when you didn't have to? She had her own life in Chicago now. Had for years. The past was in the past.

Except, of course, when she had to visit home.

“Wow,” Logan said as they took the exit for the hospital. “There really isn't much here.”

“This isn't even our destination.” Her hands had started to go clammy, and her mouth dry. “We’re not in Girard yet.”

Logan followed the signs for the hospital, where Terri's mom waited for them. It was a small building, newly built, and to call it a hospital would be generous, but that's what the sign proclaimed it to be.

After finding a spot in the main parking lot, they entered through the front sliding doors. As fortune had it, they found themselves right in the waiting room, where her mom stood against the wall talking on her phone.

At the sight of them, she murmured one last thing into her phone, then put it away. Her deep brown eyes swept right past Terri and landed on Logan, where they stayed.

“Mom.” Terri stopped in front of her, feeling awkward, and shoved her hands into her jeans’ pockets.

“Terri.” Donna Lane pressed a hand to her heart.

“This is Logan.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Logan offered his hand.

Terri’s mom shook his hand, her eyes still curious. “Since when do you have a boyfriend?”

“He’s… uh…” Terri sent Logan a ‘see?’ look, but he smiled big.

“We’ve been slowly getting to know each other,” Logan said. “When Terri said she was coming here, I offered to drive her. I didn’t want her making the trip on her own. How is your husband?”

Terri pursed her lips at him, but he acted like he didn’t notice.

“He’s alive.” Donna sighed. “He hit his head pretty bad, and the doctor was worried about brain damage, but it looks like he’s in the clear there.”

“What else?” Terri’s heart squeezed up. “What other injuries does he have?” “A broken arm, plus several cracked ribs and a sprained ankle.”

Terri nodded. It could have been much worse. Her dad wasn’t exactly a spring chicken.

“I was just talking to Charlie,” her mom went on. “He’s still in the city, but he’ll be here soon as he can. He’s so busy, you know. He has such an important job.”

Terri blinked. Was that supposed to be a jab at her for quitting her job to travel?

“We can go in and see him.” Her mom patted at her forehead. “But you have to be nice. You can’t work him up.”

“I won’t get him worked up, Mom.”

She nodded absently, like she hadn’t even heard what Terri said.

“Where are you staying? You should stay at the house.” Donna’s words— and smile—were directed at Logan. “It’s not much, but there’s the guest room you two can stay in.”

So she definitely thought Logan was Terri’s boyfriend. And for some reason, he wasn’t doing anything to correct her.

“We haven’t discussed our plans yet,” he said, “but thank you very much for the offer.”

“I want to see Dad,” Terri sighed. “Then we’ll figure it out.”

The day already felt so long, and it wasn’t even dark yet. Getting someplace where she could put her feet up and relax sounded like a dream, but staying at her parents’ house would be less than ideal.

“I’ll wait out here,” Logan said. “Take your time.”

“Oh, I’ll wait with you.” Donna took a seat in one of the blue-cushioned chairs and patted the one next to her. “We can get to know each other.”

“Great,” Terri said through a tight smile. “Be back soon.”

The hospital being as small as it was, she was able to find her dad’s room easily with the help of a nurse. Except he was asleep, salt-and-pepper head resting on a pillow and snoring intermittently.

Other than the arm in a cast and a bruise on one cheek, he didn’t look too bad—certainly not as bad as she’d expected him to look. She suddenly wished she’d stopped to get him flowers or a “get well soon” card. That way he’d have something from her when he woke up. She’d been in such a rush to get there, though.

Well, he was alive and kicking. The anxiety her mom had expressed when she called Charlie must have been over the possible brain damage. Now that it looked like that wouldn’t be an issue, everyone could breathe easier.

Shutting the door as quietly as possible, she went back to the waiting room, where her mom and Logan still sat chatting. The sight of them together planted a ball of ice in her stomach.

Bringing Logan home might have been a bad idea. They hadn’t solidified a cover story. Instead, they’d spent the drive good-naturedly arguing over radio stations and discussing the pros and cons of different fruits. On top of that, Charlie would be there soon, and then everything would come to a head.

Unless she and Logan left right away. Dad seemed well enough, and—

“Oh, Terri.” Her mom stood. “Logan said that you two can spend the night at the house. I really appreciate it. The cats need to be fed, and I should really stay here at the hospital. Just to be safe.”

Donna wrung her hands. It wasn’t a false show of concern. Terri could tell she was really worried. What had happened to her husband had shaken her, and she needed help.

Apparently, Logan had seen it too. But his offering to stay and help out shocked Terri. That didn’t sound like him at all.

Terri kept her mouth closed, choosing instead to raise her eyebrows at Logan. Was this what he really wanted?

“We already drove all the way out here,” he said. “It’s the least we can do, staying a bit and helping out. Don’t you think?”

Terri wet her lips. “Charlie will be here soon.”

“I know.” He nodded once.

“Charlie can sleep on the couch,” Donna said. “It folds out. Remember?”

“Yeah.” Terri cleared her throat. “I remember.”

“Wonderful. The key is in the same spot, and there’s casserole in the fridge. You know that Biscuits needs his wet food mixed in with the dry, right? Otherwise he won’t eat it. But May’s not picky.”

“Okay. Got it.”