Blown Away (21 page)

“Oh, you scared
me,” she said, flattening her hand against her chest. “I didn’t
hear you come in.” Elsie worked part-time at the senior center his
father frequented. She told Brent during the initial interview she
was used to ornery old people, which made Brent chuckle since Elsie
was a grandmother of four and well into her sixties.

“Sorry, I
didn’t mean to startle you.” Brent glanced at the open bathroom
door. “Is he around?”

“He’s lying
down.”

“At this time
of day?” His father was a creature of habit, and afternoon naps
were not part of his regular routine.

“I guess you
know.” Elsie removed her checkered apron and folded it over her
arm. She prepared meals, did light housekeeping and laundry, and
drove Jerry wherever he needed to go. “Did he call you?”

“No, his nurse
called Keith. Why the hell didn’t he tell us?”

“You know how
he is, honey. He doesn’t want to bother you and your brother. He
knows how busy y’all are.”

“He comes
first, Els. He knows that.” It hurt Brent that his father felt he
was burdening them with his health problems.

“He does, but
you know the way he is. Stubborn as a mule.” She patted Brent’s arm
as she walked past him. “Come into the kitchen, and I’ll make you
some tea. You can see your father when he wakes up. It shouldn’t be
too much longer.”

Elsie knew damn
well Brent hated tea, but she claimed he drank too much coffee… and
alcohol. Not to mention the stress he was routinely under at work.
He knew her heart was in the right place, so he allowed her to
preach about taking better care of himself.

“I got this
from the health food store yesterday,” she said, holding up a box
of green tea. “You’ll love it.”

“I’ll hate it.”
Brent sat on one of the iron chairs with torn vinyl his father
bought when Brent was just a boy. His father insisted on living
like a pauper when he could be living like a king, but Brent had
decided a long time ago that furniture was a battle that wasn’t
worth fighting.

“Oh stop,”
Elsie said, shaking her head. “You’re as wilful as your
father.”

The
similarities between him and his father were uncanny. Jerry
Armstrong had to quit school at fourteen to help support his family
when his father died of a stroke. Without a decent education, he’d
felt his opportunities were limited, and with a young family to
support, he said he couldn’t afford to take stupid risks. Brent
often wondered how different his father’s life would have been if
he, like Brent, had the benefit of a good education.

“Tell me about
his condition. I want the whole story.” Brent could count on Elsie
to be honest. She wasn’t just their employee, she was their friend,
and she only wanted the best for Jerry.

Elsie sighed as
she set the teapot and cups on the table. “He didn’t even know he
was sick. He went to the doctor for a routine examination.”

“I was just
here to see him the other day. He didn’t seem sick.”

“Walking
pneumonia, the doctor called it.” Elsie poured two cups of the tea
and offered one to Brent, who just frowned. She went to the fridge
and grabbed a bottle of water for him instead before setting a
plate of homemade cookies on the table.

Brent covered
his face with his hands and propped his elbows on the table. He was
exhausted. Between the lack of sleep and his stress over his
father’s condition, he felt as though he could sleep for a week. He
couldn’t make that trip. He wouldn’t be able to concentrate until
he knew his father was going to be okay.

Brent texted
his brother asking him to cancel the trip. He told Keith he’d fill
him in on their father’s condition as soon as he spoke to the
doctor. Brent had put in a call to their long-time family physician
on the drive to the house, but he was still waiting for a call
back.

“You look
tired,” Elsie said, patting his arm. “You can’t help your father if
you get sick too.”

Brent could
take care of himself. He thought of calling Ava, but he wanted more
information before he spoke to her. “I’m okay. What did the doctor
say? Did he get the results of this morning’s X-ray yet?”

“Not yet. They
said they’d call to set up an appointment as soon as they know
more.”

“Does he seem
better or worse since he started taking the medication?”

Elsie offered a
sympathetic smile. “It’s difficult to say. The medication makes him
so tired.”

Brent prayed
that was the only thing making him tired. He hated to think his
father’s condition was deteriorating, even with medication.

“What’re you
doin’ here?” Jerry asked, rubbing his balding head as he staggered
into the kitchen.

He seemed
shaky, and that made Brent uneasy. Coordination had never been one
of his father’s problems. “I came to see you.” Brent watched him
take an orange juice box out of the fridge and stick a straw in the
opening. “What’s this I hear about you not feeling well?” He didn’t
want to overwhelm his dad by coming on too strong. Slow and easy
was usually the best approach.

“It’s this damn
medication,” he said, scratching his chest. “Makes me tired and
weak.”

“Why didn’t you
tell us you weren’t feeling well? Keith had to hear it from Ruth
instead.”

“Ah hell, she
shouldn’t even have said anything to you boys. I told her I’m
fine.”

“Isn’t that up
to the doctor to decide? What did he say about your condition?”

Jerry grunted
and sat down at the opposite end of the table. “Damn doctors. What
do they know? I felt fine before he put me on that medication. I
tell ya, all that stuff they pump into our bodies is pure
poison.”

Brent and Elsie
shared a look. They’d heard his father’s conspiracy theories
before. He believed doctors manufactured problems because they got
kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies. No matter how many times
Brent told him that was ridiculous, Jerry was steadfast in his
opinions.

“You didn’t
answer my question, Dad. What did Doc Roberts say about your
condition?”

“He doesn’t
know a damn thing yet. Typical. He thinks he knows it all. If he
knows so much, why does he always need a second opinion before he
can tell ya what the hell’s wrong with ya?”

Brent didn’t
like where the conversation was going. With his father’s impaired
hearing, Brent was concerned he may have missed something important
during one of his appointments. “Did he suggest you see a
specialist?”

“He said we’ll
wait and see.” He threw his hands up. “That’s all he ever says.
‘Wait and see, Jerry. Just wait and see.’ The old fool. If you ask
me, he should have retired years ago. He’s too damn old to be
practicin’ medicine anyway. Retire already and make room for some
new blood. Kids who haven’t had time to forget what they learned in
medical school.”

Brent knew his
father hated being sick almost as much as he hated going to
doctor’s, so he didn’t try to halt the tirade. If venting made his
dad feel better, Brent would listen.

Brent’s cell
phone rang. It was Ava. “I have to get this. Excuse me.” He stepped
out on the back porch, eager to hear her voice. “Hey, baby. What’s
up?”

“I was about to
ask you the same question. Are you on your way to the airport?”

“Uh, there’s
been a change of plans. My father’s not doing too well.” Brent sat
down at the old picnic table, surprised the dilapidated furniture
was still strong enough to support his weight.

“Oh no, what’s
wrong?”

He heard the
concern in her voice and it made him love her all the more. She’d
never met his father, but she cared because she knew how much the
old man meant to him. “Pneumonia.” He sighed, wishing the word
didn’t scare him so much. He’d heard of too many older people dying
of complications from pneumonia. With his father’s lung condition,
the situation was even more serious.

“I’m sorry to
hear that. Is it serious?”

“It could be.”
Brent looked out over the backyard. Fence boards were loose and the
lawn should have been cut a week ago, but the man Brent hired had
fallen ill. The way his father was living made him angry, even more
so when he felt so helpless. “We don’t know his status yet. I’m
waiting to hear from the doctor. I want to convince him to go to
the hospital so they can monitor him.”

“That’s sounds
like a good idea.”

“To you and me
because we’re rational people, but I doubt I can convince my
father.” He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I’m sorry to dump all this on you, babe. It’s just been a hell of
a day.” He would have suffered in silence, trying to handle
everything himself, but having someone to talk to lessened the
burden.

“You know you
can talk to me about anything,” she said quietly. “Is there
anything I can do? Maybe I can bring some chicken soup over or stop
at the pharmacy?”

He smiled. “I
love you.”

“I love you
too.”

“We’re doing
okay. He has a caregiver and a nurse. I’m just gonna hang around
and see what the doctor has to say, and we’ll go from there. If the
doc thinks he should be in the hospital, I’ll get him there one way
or another.”

“If not?”

“I’ll spend the
night with him, make sure he’s okay, and go to the doctor with him
in the morning.”

“You’re such a
good son.”

Brent didn’t
need praise for taking care of his father. It was the least he
could do. “You go to your father’s party and have a good time. Call
me when you get back to your place to let me know you got home
safely, okay?”

“Sure.”

“Do you want me
to send my driver? I don’t want you drinking and driving.” Just the
thought of something happening to her turned Brent’s stomach.

“I’m fine. If I
need to, I’ll take a taxi home, but I don’t expect to have more
than a drink or two. Are you sure you don’t need me tonight? My dad
would understand.”

Her offer meant
the world to him, but he couldn’t tear her away from her family
celebration just to hold his hand. “I’ll be fine. Wish your dad a
happy birthday for me, okay?”

“I will. Love
you.”

“Love you too,
sweetheart.”

***

By the time Ava
arrived at Jimmy’s and circulated among her family and friends, she
was feeling better. She’d been worried about Brent and his father,
but he’d texted her to tell her the doctor didn’t think Jerry
needed to be admitted to the hospital yet.

Ava spotted Eli
talking to Aiden at the bar. “Hey, you two,” she said, slipping her
arm around her uncle’s waist. “You’re not talking shop, are
you?”

Eli leaned in
to kiss her cheek before admiring her little black dress. “Look at
you! You look gorgeous.”

“Thanks.” She
smiled at Aiden. “You guys look pretty good yourselves. Where’s
Sela?”

“Down with the
flu, I’m afraid. She hated like hell to miss the party, but she
didn’t want to risk infecting y’all.”

“Aww,” Ava
said, “I’m sorry to hear she’s not feeling well. Give her my
love.”

“Will do.”
Aiden checked his watch. “I guess your daddy’s gonna be here soon.
I’m gonna call my beautiful wife to make sure she’s doin’ okay
before he gets here. Excuse me.”

Ava waited for
Aiden to leave before ordering a glass of white wine. “So, what
were y’all talking about?” She nodded her thanks when the bartender
placed the drink in front of her.

“You know
Aiden’s retiring at the end of the season. We’re all hoping he’ll
get the nod as head coach. He’s been here a long time, knows
exactly what it would take to turn things around and make us real
contenders for the Cup.” Eli grinned as he brought his beer bottle
to his lips. “But something tells me you’re not all that interested
in hockey.”

Ava laughed.
“What makes you say that? Did I get that dazed look in my eye
again?”

“Hey, it’s not
for everybody,” he said, smiling. “I get that.”

Ava spotted
Tara and beckoned her over. “There’s my best friend Tara. She works
with me. I’d love for you to meet her.” She watched carefully as
Eli’s eyes drifted over her friend. He was definitely interested.
Ava reached for Tara’s hand. “There you are. I was worried you were
gonna be late.”

“Sorry, I had
to stop and get gas.” She flashed a quick grin at Eli. “Hi.”

He set his
bottle down and discreetly wiped his hand on his black jeans.
“Hi.”

Ava was
thrilled to see those two definitely had chemistry. “Tara, I’d like
you to meet Eli Rea.”

“It’s a
pleasure,” Eli said. “Ava tells me y’all work together. Does that
mean she’s helped you find your Mr. Right?”

“No, I’m still
looking.” She winked at Ava. “Not that she hasn’t tried. She can’t
help herself; she thinks everyone has a soul mate.”

“I happen to
agree with her.” Eli shot a side-long glance at Ava. He lifted a
shoulder. “What can I say? I guess I’m just a romantic.”

Tara laughed.
“Don’t let the boys in the locker room hear you say that.”

Eli quirked an
eyebrow. “You’re a hockey fan?”

“Am I a hockey
fan?” She laughed. “My dad and I used to plant ourselves in front
of the TV every Saturday night with a big bowl of popcorn and watch
the game. That lasted until I was about fourteen.”

Looking amused,
Eli asked, “What happened when you turned fourteen?”

“I discovered
boys, of course!”

Eli chuckled
and cast an appreciate glance at Tara’s obvious assets. “Don’t you
mean they discovered you?”

Men were
usually drawn to Tara’s curvaceous figure and beauty first. When
they realized she was also sweet and funny, they often wanted to
pursue her, but Tara didn’t believe in wasting time with men who
wouldn’t be around for the duration. “Flattery will get you
nowhere, Mr. Rea,” Tara said. She smiled at Ava. “Excuse me, I’m
going to powder my nose before your father gets here.”