Lynnia (25 page)

“Ma, I’m sure she has heard worse than this working here. Am I right, Mrs. Turner?”

“He’s right, Mrs. Anderson. I’ve become immune to it I’ve heard so many combinations of some of the words. What he just said was almost virginal in the pool of strung together swear words sounded out against the walls of this building. Don’t worry about it. I’ll go get you some medicine. I was planning on asking you before I left anyway. I guess, I can cancel the meal order that we placed for you since your parents brought you food. I’ll be back shortly.”

Dario sat back and waited. He knew there would be questions. His parents wouldn’t be able to help themselves. It wasn’t in their biological make up to allow something to just slide on by.

“Where’s Lynnia? I thought she would be in here. Did she leave because of your other lady friend?”

There it was. There was the reason he and his mother would probably never be able to talk about whatever was going on in his life. He didn’t want to deal with any of the questions having Lindsay around would bring about. He didn’t know how, but the woman guessed his feelings for Lynnia. His father had also, but his father was the “cooler” of the two.

“Em, you said you weren’t going to pester him about that other young lady. You’ve gone back on your word before we could even get the food out of the bags.”

“I’m sorry. I was just curious. We’ve been waiting for Lynnia and he’s been even asking for her. He didn’t ask for this other girl, so I’m curious to know who she is.”

What he wouldn’t give to be invisible in that moment. He could avoid listening to them going back and forth about his “lady friend” situation. Not wanting to deal with any of it, he hit the call button for the nurse. Nurse Turner was back in the room within moments.

“Yes, Mr. Anderson. How can I help you?”

“Will you help me get to the bathroom? I need to drain the main vein.”

His mother’s gasp brought a smirk to his lips. He heard his dad chuckle and saw Mrs. Turner’s smile in the mirror showing their reflection. Mrs. Turner helped him into the restroom. Once he was there, he asked if she would mind letting his parents know that he wasn’t feeling so good and asking if they would mind coming back the next morning. The doctor said they would be releasing him in the morning. He had follow up checkups and other appointments, like physical therapy that he had to figure out how he was getting himself to everything. He’d deal with it starting tomorrow. Tonight, he wanted to put on his underwear, eat, take his meds, and get some much needed sleep.

A few minutes later, he heard his parents call out their “see ya laters” and he stood. Opening the door, he asked for Mrs. Turner’s assistance again. As he sat back on the bed, he looked at the clock and saw that it had been a few hours since Lynnia had left to go get herself something to eat. Where in the hell was Lynnia?

Chapter 13