Chapter Fifteen #2
“Okay, so why don’t you let your man feed you, massage you, and give you some care you haven’t had in a while, and we’ll wash this day off you.
You can tell me all about it, without breaking HIPPA laws, vent it out, cry it out, whatever you need to do, then we’ll crash in your bed, no shenanigans, just sleep.
In the morning, or afternoon, whenever we wake up, I’ll make you breakfast, and we’ll stay in our jammies—”
I snorted.
“What?”
I smiled into his chest. “You said ‘jammies.’”
He kissed the top of my head. “Made you smile, though, huh?”
I gave him a squeeze. “Yes, yes, you did.”
“You hungry?”
“I’m starving.”
“Okay, you go plant that sexy ass of yours on the sofa and I’ll dish up and pour the wine.”
I raised my head for a kiss. “I love you.”
He grinned. “Love you, too.”
I collapsed onto my sectional, pulling a blanket over myself, letting out a long, exaggerated sigh when Archer brought me a glass of wine first, and kissing me before heading back into the kitchen.
“How did your lunch with Floyd go?” I asked.
“Great,” he said.
Archer and Floyd had become besties, and it was the cutest thing ever. Archer called him every day.
Every.
Freaking.
Day.
Major green flag.
Archer took him to lunch a couple of times a week if Judy was feeling up to it, or more accurately, if Judy told him to get out of the house because he was ‘bugging’ her.
Until recently Judy had been going strong.
She’d made it longer than any of us expected, but she was fading.
I could see it. I feared Floyd was ignoring the signs, not ready for the love of his life to leave this world.
I’d seen this before, an unfortunate occupational hazard.
Archer usually came by while I was there and it was typically quick, under an hour, which gave me the chance to treat her without Floyd hovering, and when they got back, Floyd was distracted and in a better head space, as was Judy. It was a win-win.
“How did Judy look?”
“I didn’t go in, but Bryn was there—”
“Wait, what?” I said, sitting up. “Why was Bryn there?”
“Judy called and asked Mom to come by and visit. Bryn and Mom already had plans, so they both went over. Floyd said Bryn would watch out for anything concerning and call you if there was an issue. ”
I relaxed. “Your mom dropped by?”
“Yeah, honey, she’s been visiting at least once a week.” He grabbed me a tray table from my stash by the wall then brought over a plate piled with food.
“That is so sweet.”
“I told you, my mom loves the oldies. She’d visit every day if she didn’t have a job and it wouldn’t overwhelm Judy.”
“That’s still very sweet of her.”
He joined me on the sofa with a grin. “My mom’s sweet.”
“And also a mobster.”
“And also a mobster.” He toasted me with his beer. “And mobsters make it their business to know everybody in the neighborhood.”
I laughed, and we dug into our food.
* * *
The piercing ring of my cell phone pulled me from the most amazing dream. “Hello?”
“Something’s wrong with Judy. She can’t breathe and she’s in a lot of pain.”
“Okay, Floyd. I’ll be right there. You need to call 9-1-1 and they can help with the pain.”
“I did.”
“Okay, I’ll be right there,” I promised.
“What’s going on?” Archer asked sleepily.
“It’s Judy,” I said, rushing to pull on clothes.
“Right. I’ll drive you.”
“No, you don’t have to do that,” I argued. “Go back to sleep. ”
“I’m not even going to dignify that bullshit with a response,” he growled, pulling on a pair of jeans.
“Which is a response in and of itself.”
He smirked. “You gonna give me shit, or are we gonna get outta here?”
“Let’s go,” I said, grabbing my bag.
Archer insisted on driving my car since he’d ridden, and I readily agreed, since I was still exhausted.
Pulling up to Floyd and Judy’s, we found him pacing the front lawn just as the EMTs wheeled Judy out on a gurney, an oxygen mask on, and an IV in her arm. I rushed to her, and took her hand. “I’m her nurse. What’s going on?”
The lead paramedic gave me the news we’d all been dreading, she probably wouldn’t make it through the rest of the day, and Floyd had insisted they take her to the hospital.
I shook my head. “She wanted to die at home.”
“Does she have a DNR?”
“Yes. Floyd has the paperwork.”
“Ma’am, he insisted we take her, so we need to take her.”
I sighed. “May I have a moment to talk with him?”
“Sure.”
I made my way over to Floyd who was flapping his hands and howling with grief. Archer was doing his best to console him, but Floyd was having none of it.
“Floyd, we need to talk,” I said as gently as I could.
“Why aren’t they leaving?” he growled .
“Where is the paperwork showing that Judy wants to die at home? Her DNR?”
“No! No, she’s not dying. No!”
“Honey, she’s ready. You need to let her go. We can make her comfortable.”
“No!” he screamed, then dropped to his knees. “No!”
“I need you to tell the EMTs to take her back inside.”
He shook his head.
“Please Floyd. She doesn’t want this,” I insisted, kneeling beside him. “She doesn’t want to be hooked up to tubes in a cold hospital. We talked about it.”
“But I need her.”
“I know, but not like this.”
“She can’t go yet. I can’t lose her yet.”
“I’m so sorry,” I rasped, trying so hard not to lose it.
“You will not be alone, brother,” Archer promised, hunkering down beside him. “I will not let you be alone.”
We stayed there for a few minutes, quiet, while Floyd sobbed.
“Are we taking her?” an EMT called out.
“Man, can you see we need a moment?” Archer snapped.
“We have other calls,” he grumbled.
“Floyd, I’m so sorry, but we need to know what to do,” I said.
“Take her back inside,” Floyd rasped.
I stood and made my way over to the EMTs and then guided them back into the house .
Once we got Judy settled back in bed, I made sure she was comfortable and administered some morphine. She was breathing, but it was shallow. Archer brought Floyd in a few minutes later, and he stretched out beside Judy, pulling her into his arms.
“We’ll give you some time,” I said.
Archer and I stepped into the hallway and I fell against him, sobbing quietly into his chest.
“I got you,” he whispered.
We weren’t there long when I heard the sound of motorcycle exhaust pipes. “Is that a bike?”
“Yes. Probably my dad. I let my mom know what was going on. She promised they won’t come in. She just wanted to be here in case you needed her.”
“Echo!” Floyd called, and I left Archer in the hallway, stepping into the bedroom.
* * *
Archer
Judy was gone.
She had apparently wanted her body donated to science, so the folks who took care of that would be picking her up later today.
This meant Floyd had to just wait with her laying in their bedroom until they came.
I couldn’t imagine having to do that alone, and vowed that he would never, ever be fucking alone again.
Echo and my mom were sitting quietly with Floyd while I just waited and watched.
Floyd was inconsolable and I had never seen a man cry like this. I’d barely seen a man cry, to be honest.
“What’s that sound?” Echo asked.
“Pipes,” Mom answered.
“I thought your husband was already here,” Echo murmured.
“No, honey, that’s the club.”
Floyd looked up and met my eyes. “Your club’s here?”
I nodded. “And my grandfather. They won’t come in. They’re just here in case you need them.”
“Warren’s here?”
“Yeah,” I confirmed.
“He can come in,” Floyd said, wiping his tears. “And your dad can too.”
“I’ll get them,” I offered when Floyd moved to stand.
“Are you hungry?” I heard Mom say as I made my way to the front door.
Pulling it open, I found my dad and grandfather on the other side with at least two dozen of my brethren behind them.
“Hey,” I said. “Floyd would like you both to come in.”
As they walked in, I stepped out to address my brothers. “Hey guys, I’m not sure how long this is all gonna take. Might be hours. Don’t feel like you need to stay.”
Mack stepped forward. “We’re not goin’ anywhere, bud. Just let Floyd know that we’re here if he needs us.”
I nodded and headed back inside.