6
MICHAEL
Remembering Joseph’s earlier comment, I knock on his door before entering his bedroom, carrying the plate of food Rita put together for him. “Room service.”
Joseph, who’s leg is half hanging off the edge of the bed, looks like he’s using up all his energy into pulling it back up under the covers. “Thanks,” he manages to say, his face red from exertion.
Or pain.
“Hang on, let me go find Lana.”
“No, forget it. I’ve got it,” Joseph snaps, frowning at me. “It’s fine.”
I really don’t want to get into it with him but I have a feeling it’s unavoidable. “It’s the whole reason we hired her to begin with. You’re just going to have to get used to working with her and being honest about how you’re doing with her. Even if you aren’t with me.”
The look on his face sours even more. “I can manage, thanks, and I damn sure don’t need you telling me how to deal with my nurse.”
I shake my head. “I’m simply suggesting that you be truthful with her. If you don’t heal properly, you could end up walking with a cane, or a walker, or even worse. You could get an infection that damages you even more by being an idiot. Again.”
Gritting his teeth, Joseph sits up straighter. “I know all that. Can I eat my food in peace, now?”
It infuriates me to see him not take what I’m saying at face value. I take a few steps toward the door, reaching out to grab the door handle when I pause, turn back around and roll my shoulders back. “No, you know what? No. Do you even realize how serious this is? You almost died.”
When he laughs I want to punch him right in the damn jaw. “Yeah, yeah. There’s no need to be so—”
“No. Seriously, I saw you after the accident. Jesus Christ, if you’d been on a different mountain, at a different time of year, or if that random skier hadn’t found you and called in the medivac. Damn it, Joseph.” I don’t want to discuss the fear of losing him with him, especially not when he doesn’t get it.
This seems to sober him up a bit. “I know. I was being stupid.”
“And is that enough to teach you to be more careful with your life?”
He doesn’t answer. He just sits there, slowly taking bites of his food and avoiding my gaze.
“I’ll leave you to it, I guess,” I say, having enough of Joseph’s brand of bullshit. I love my brother, but sometimes I struggle to understand him. “I’ll send Rita in for your plate later and I’ll have Lana get you settled for the night.”
I ignore the pissed-off look on his face and leave before he has a chance to say anything else.
--
Dinner is surprisingly nice, considering that I’ve never had dinner with a child present like this, but Olivia is a well-mannered little girl and not only that, but she’s whip-smart, too. After Lana sends her to finish her homework, I smile after her. “She’s a really bright young lady.”
“You have no idea,” Lana says, wiping at the corner of her mouth with her napkin. “She’s way too smart sometimes. In fact, she’ll have her homework done in half an hour. It’s like she’s some kind of alien child, I swear because she definitely didn’t get it from me,” she laughs.
I don’t like the way she puts herself down because I can tell Lana is one smart lady, but I don’t feel it’s my place to say anything about it. “Is her father smart?” I ask, curious to hear more about the situation, but Lana abruptly replies with a ‘No,’ silence falling rapidly between us. I didn’t mean to offend her and try to change gears. “So, what school does she go to? Is she in one of those accelerated programs?”
She shakes her head, her eyes dropping back to her food as she takes another bite. “No, nothing like that. I mean, I do my best to provide her with supplemental education when she wants it, which is most of the time. Olivia doesn’t really watch TV. Not unless you count documentaries.” A smile softens the frown on her face. “Sometimes I can barely keep up with her. I’m very proud of her, but it can be a little terrifying. I feel like one of these days she’s going to outgrow me.” Lana pauses, her dark eyes going wide before quickly takes another bite. “I’m sorry for rambling.”
I brush it off. After all, I do want to know more about the woman who’s taking care of my brother. “It’s fine, believe me. You know…Joseph and I went to Wellington-Meade School. We still donate quite a bit of money there, too. They have this scholarship fund and I would be happy to call—”
“No. No, thank you. I, uh, appreciate it, but I’m doing just fine with Olivia,” she cuts me off before I get a chance to continue. There’s a hardness in her eyes, but there’s also some worry there. It’s like every time I try to get a little closer to Lana she puts up a defensive shell.
I don’t like it but I know how to take a hint. “Of course, and I wouldn’t imply otherwise. Still, the offer is on the table. It’s a very good school, and I feel she would excel there.”
Pushing away from the table gently, Lana stands up and smooths down her pants. “Thank you, again, but we don’t need the help. I think I’ll go ahead and check in on Joseph, now if you don’t mind.” She scoops up the plate and I shake my head.
“Leave it. Rita can get it for you.”
The forced smile on her face is stretched thin as she takes it anyway, heading toward the kitchen, leaving me alone to my dinner.
Where had I crossed a line? And what’s happened in her life that the line got drawn in the first place?