“It’s okay. You’re sober right now.”
“I am,” she said. “Thirty-five days.”
“Why were you at the drug house?”
“That scum is my ex-boyfriend. He’d been hiding a necklace my mom gave me and my dad’s watch. They were the only things from my parents that I hadn’t pawned. I had to keep just one thing of theirs. I went to get it back.”
“Oh, Shayla,” I whispered. I could see the heartache in her eyes. “Did you get them back?”
“Yeah,” she said. “But they were in my pocket with my coin. They’re probably all melted now.”
“I think they’ll be fine. I think an average house fire isn’t hot enough to burn metal.”
“Can you check? I haven’t been able to get up since I’m hooked to all this stuff.”
I rose from the chair and made my way over to the plastic bag containing her belongings. I dug through it until I found her jeans and, in the front pocket, totally intact, were the three tokens that were her worldly possessions.
I closed them in my hand and sat back in the chair. “They’re fine. See?” I opened my fist and showed her the necklace, watch, and sobriety chip.
“Thank you,” she whispered and peeked at me through her downcast eyes. “Can you tell me about Tucker?”
I smiled and I did. I told her about his love for baseball and how that had only grown since Gunner came into our lives. I told her about Colt and Tuck conning me into getting a dog. I told her about how well he did in school and about his friends. It evolved into stories about the rest of the family and how much we still loved her. How my parents missed her and prayed for her. I told her every holiday my mom wrapped a plate and put it in the fridge, just in case.
I held her hand through it all, and we cried together as I told her about her son.
“All that crying made me hungry,” I said and laughed when my stomach rumbled.
“Me too,” she said and bit her lip. “Can you get me some pudding?”
“You know, the last time you asked for pudding, you pulled a disappearing act and I lost you.”
“That will never happen again. I’m going to be there for Tucker’s life. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to take him from you. I just want to get to know him. On his terms.”
“Promise you’ll be here when I get back?”
“Yeah, I’m here to stay,” she said.
I nabbed four chocolate puddings, two for each of us, from the cart in the cafeteria before I headed back to Shayla’s room. I slowly walked the halls, not back up to full energy, and took the elevator to her floor.
“Hey,” I said, smiling when I stepped off the elevator and came face-to-face with Gunner.
“Delilah.” His voice was soft and he stepped forward, placing his hands on my hips.
“Did she leave?”
I’d thought this time would be different. I’d thought she would stay. I’d fallen for it again.
“Delilah,” he said. “She died. She had a heart attack. Her heart was too damaged for them to save her. They did everything they could, but she didn’t make it. I’m so sorry.”
“No,” I whispered and collapsed against Gunner’s chest. He rubbed my back as I stared over his shoulder at Shayla’s hospital room. I’d only been gone for less than thirty minutes. I should’ve read the map better. Maybe if I’d been in the room, someone would’ve gotten there faster.
“No,” I whispered again.
Chapter 36
Gunner
I lifted my fist to knock on the door of Delilah’s new cabin but hesitated. She’d been distant since Shayla died and Tuck was released from the hospital. She’d made excuses why she couldn’t see me, and when we did see each other, she barely talked. I wanted them to stay with me, but she’d refused, saying they needed their own space. She wouldn’t even stay with her parents. Tuck was miserable too. I was at a loss for what to do and how to help them.
“You actually have to hit the door to make the knocking sound,” Mom said.
I shook off my thoughts and popped my neck, knocking on the door. Tuck opened it a moment later. He was in a black suit with a white shirt and a loose tie around his neck. There were bags under his eyes that he was far too young for, and the smile he gave Mom when she hugged him wasn’t nearly as bright as it normally was.
I crouched down to his level. “Need some help with that?” I pointed to the tie.
“Yeah,” he said. “Ties are stupid. I don’t like them but Mom is making me wear it.”
“They’re not my favorite either, but some occasions call for it.”
I worked through the knot of the tie slowly, explaining the process to him, but he wasn’t paying attention. He was staring at a far-off corner, lost in his own thoughts.
“There,” I said. “It’s done.”
“Thanks, Gunner.”
“Tucker,” Delilah called, coming out of her room while putting on a pearl earring. She looked beautiful as she always did. Her dress skimmed her hips. She looked classy and gorgeous. I never wanted to see this dress again though. A reminder of this ugly day. “Oh. You’re here.” Her lips tilted up in a forced smile, but there was nothing behind her eyes, not even when she looked at Mom.
“Yeah,” I said. “Can I help you with that?” She was struggling with her necklace.
I stepped forward and she turned, handing it to me over her shoulder. I lifted her hair and put it to one side as I fastened the necklace around her neck. “There, all done.”
She turned, placing her fingers on the simple gold chain with a flower pendant. A piece of jewelry I hadn’t seen her wear before. “Thank you,” she murmured.
She walked around me going to Tucker. “Oh, your tie is done.”
“Gunner did it.”
Delilah licked her lips. “That’s great.”
“Sweetheart, can I get you a cup of coffee or a shot of tequila?” Mom asked.
Delilah cracked a slight smile. “I think it’s a little early for that.”
Mom shook her head. “There are no rules on days like today. It’ll be a long day. If you want a shot, I’ve got one.” Her hand disappeared into her purse, and she pulled out an airplane bottle of tequila.
“Let’s go put on your shoes, Tuck,” I said, leading him out of the hallway as Mom stepped toward Delilah. I glanced over my shoulder, watching Delilah take the little bottle, with tears in her eyes, and swig it back in one swallow.
I laced and tied Tuck’s new dress shoes as he sat on the couch. Everything Delilah and Tuck were wearing was new. They’d lost everything in the fire. Everything had to be replaced, but even once they were, I wasn’t sure things would ever be the same.
“It’s time to go,” Mom said.
I looked up from Tuck’s shoes and into his eyes. “Are you ready, bud?”
“No,” he said. “What if I cry? Will everybody think I’m a baby if I cry?”
“Never,” I said, shaking my head.
“But boys don’t cry.”