16. Dragon
Chapter 16
Dragon
“You get her?”
“Hello to you too, old man,” I respond to Crusher. I stretch out in my chair at my desk, kicking my feet up and smile because I have my door open. In the distance, I hear Nicole laughing with Ryan. I hear Rory’s quiet voice blend in, too. There’s no laughter from her. There’s pain. I’ve seen that pain too damn much, and I’m fucking tired of it.
“Sorry, man. It’s not good here.”
“What’s going on?”
“They hooked Diesel up for dialysis again and his heart went crazy. Fuck man, I thought he was gone.”
“So, things haven’t changed,” I mutter, hating that burn deep inside my gut. Diesel is a good man, one I depend on just like he is one of my own. He deserved better than this shit.
“For the worst, maybe,” Crusher says, sounding tired.
“Why do Rory and Ryan think he’s alive and doing fine, brother?” I ask.
Crusher curses under his breath.
“I didn’t exactly tell them he was okay, Dragon.”
“Boy, don’t piss on me and tell me it’s raining.”
“Jesus, no one in my life would call me boy but you.”
“Keeps you humble,” I respond, almost smiling.
“I want Ryan to be able to say goodbye to his dad while he’s still breathing—even if it is through a fucking machine.”
“And Rory?”
“She cares about Diesel. I don’t know how Diesel felt about her, but if he did…”
“You’re hoping that shit will reach through to the grave.”
“Are you going to say it didn’t for either of us?” Crusher asks. “Fuck man, look at Dance. He’s the poster child now for well adjusted.”
“He wasn’t tasting death for four months either, brother.”
“Nicole was. You brought her back from that. Same as I did with Dani.”
“Brother…”
“I know, Dragon. I’m not stupid, I know this might not work and I can’t even be sure that Diesel gives a fuck about her… but I damn sure have to try.”
“She’s not going to thank you for putting her through this shit and I think she’ll hate you for putting Ryan through it.”
“I’m willing to take that bullet.”
“Got to tell you, brother, I just met the woman but I get the feeling she’s a good woman, who has been through hell. She doesn’t need more.”
“I got to try, Dragon.”
“I reckon you’re going to try it no matter what the fuck I say at this point.”
“Wouldn’t you?”
“I’ll have them at the hospital around two tomorrow.”
“It’s a shit reason, but it will be good to see you again, man.”
“Same here, brother. Same here,” I respond and then I hang up.
Fuck, I hope this works, but I’m not feeling good about this shit… that’s for damn sure.