9. Trenton
Trenton
“Is this Trenton Ward?”
“Yes. Is everything okay?”
“Your grandmother took a bit of a spill. We’re having an ambulance come to take her to the hospital.”
I jump up from my bed. “What happened?”
“She must have fallen getting out of bed. We found her on the floor, and it looks like she may have broken her nose. But she’s conscious and coherent.”
I throw on a T-shirt and race to get dressed. “Which hospital?”
“Jersey City Medical Center. I’ll let them know that you’ll meet her there.”
“Thank you.”
I grab my keys and shove my feet into a pair of slides. When I rip open the door, I barrel straight into Cassidy.
She gives me a bright smile. “Hey, I was just coming to tell you—what’s wrong?”
“My grandmother is being rushed to the hospital.”
Cassidy follows me down the hallway. “What happened?”
“They said she fell out of bed. Maybe a broken nose.” I slap the button for the elevator. “How far is Jersey City Medical Center?”
“Five minutes. I can take you there.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
Cassidy steps inside the elevator with me when the door opens. “I’m coming with you either way, and I know where it is so you might as well let me drive.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
Tears sting the backs of my eyes as I imagine my grandmother falling and not knowing where she is or how to ask for help. How long was she lying there until they found her? How much pain is she in? Does she even understand what’s happening?
Cassidy reaches out and clasps my hand. “They can fix a broken nose. She’s going to be okay.”
“She has Alzheimer’s so I don’t know if she understands what’s going on.” I swallow. “Sometimes she gets confused and she can give people a hard time when they’re trying to help her.”
“We’ll be there soon.”
I squeeze her hand, thankful to have her by my side.
Cassidy weaves through traffic like a NASCAR driver and gets us to the hospital within minutes.
She leads us in through the emergency entrance and helps me fill out the necessary paperwork, and when the nurse calls my name, I use my I’m a famous hockey player status to convince her to let the both of us back together.
I rush over to my grandmother’s bedside, my heart wrenching at the sight of the bruises forming under each puffy eye.
“Nana, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She waves a dismissive hand. “You didn’t need to come here.”
“Of course I did. You’re hurt. Did the nurse give you anything for the pain?”
“I don’t know what she did. I was poked and prodded and I have this stupid tube in my hand.” She lifts her left hand to show me. “Hurts like a bitch.”
“Do you know how you fell?”
“I think my leg got tangled in the blanket. I went to get out of bed and then I just fell.” Nana’s eyes glance over my shoulder. “Oh, my. Who is this you have with you?”
“This is Cassidy.” I turn around and wave her into the room. “She’s the girl I was telling you about.”
“You were talking about me? That can’t be good.” Then Cassidy’s eyebrows hit her hairline. “Oh my god, Sherry?”
Nana’s eyes narrow as Cassidy gets closer. “Birdie, is that you?”
Birdie?
Cassidy moves past me and clutches Nana’s hand. “You’re Trent’s grandmother.”
I tilt my head. “You know each other?”
“She was my neighbor before you moved in.” Cassidy presses a kiss to the top of Nana’s hand. “I was so worried about you.”
Nana smiles wide. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“I miss our card games.”
I lower myself to the edge of the hospital bed as it all sinks in.
Cassidy is Birdie.
Cassidy befriended Nana and took care of her when I couldn’t be here.
It was difficult being all the way across the country, unable to ensure that my grandmother was taken care of. But knowing she had someone in the building to look after her was comforting.
“Every Tuesday and Thursday, we played Rummy.” Cassidy beams up at me. “She’d bake the most delicious desserts and we’d listen to music.”
Appreciation settles into my chest. “I remember. She told me about you. I just can’t believe I didn’t put it together sooner.”
Cassidy shoots me a harmless glare. “Your grandson doesn’t like my singing, Sherry. Did he tell you that?”
Nana scoffs. “No, he most certainly did not. Trenton, you better behave yourself. My Birdie is a sweet girl.”
I arch a brow. “Your Birdie? But I’m your grandson.”
“And my grandson is going to be kind to my friend.”
Cassidy sticks out her tongue and then shoots me a wink.
I can’t help but smirk.
Cassidy keeps Nana in good spirits until the doctor comes in to go over the x-rays, and I’m relieved to hear that it’s no more than a fractured nose.
We take her back to the nursing home and I stay with her until visiting hours come to an end.
“I love you, Nana. Get some rest. I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow.”
“I love you too sweetheart.” Nana glances up and spots Cassidy standing in the doorway, and her expression changes. “Trenton, you didn’t tell me you had a friend with you. Who is that?”
My eyebrows press together. “That’s Cassidy. Birdie, your old neighbor…remember? She was just with us at the hospital.”
Nana tilts her head. “Why were we at the hospital? Are you hurt?”
“No. You fell. Don’t you remember?”
“I didn’t fall. I’m fine.”
I lift my eyes to Cassidy, and she just gives me a sad smile.
We say goodbye, and head back to the apartment.
“While you were with your grandmother, I spoke with the director of the facility about getting a remote-controlled bed with rails.” Cassidy glances at me before returning her eyes to the road.
“This way, she can hold onto something while she gets in and out of bed, and it won’t be so high off the ground. ”
My lips part in surprise. “That’s a great idea. What did she say?”
“She said it’d be expensive but something they could definitely accommodate.
” Cassidy switches on the blinker and rolls to a stop at the light.
“I told her that money is not a problem, and we’d like more information on how to go about getting a bed for her as soon as possible.
So, be on the lookout for an email from her. ”
I swallow. “Thank you for doing that.”
“I also told them we want more frequent checks on her since we know she’s a fall risk. Who knows how long she was lying there before someone came to check on her.”
Cassidy asked questions I didn’t even think of while I was making sure Nana was comfortable and settled in her room. I didn’t have to ask for her help. I didn’t have to say a word. She was by my side without a second thought.
“I love that woman.” Cassidy smiles while she shakes her head. “She was one of my dearest friends when she lived next door. I can’t believe she’s your grandmother. What a small world.”
“It really is crazy how neither of us realized it.”
“And you know what else I was thinking about? Your grandmother called me Birdie, obviously because I have a bird. But you got traded to the Goldfinches, which is a bird.” She smacks the steering wheel. “What are the odds of that? It’s like all of this was somehow meant to be.”
I chuckle and entertain her theory. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
“You don’t believe in that stuff, do you?”
“I don’t know.” I let my head fall back against the headrest. “I think our paths crossed because I took my grandmother’s apartment next door to you. I don’t read into anything that much.”
She hums. “Well, either way, I’m glad your grandmother is okay.”
Cassidy pulls into the parking garage and puts the car in park, but neither of us makes a move to exit the car.
“Thank you for coming with me today.” I shift in the seat to face her. “I know she was happy to see you, even if the moment was fleeting.”
She chews her bottom lip. “I’d like to continue visiting her, if that’s okay with you.”
“Of course. She’d love that.”
“I don’t have any family of my own.” She laughs. “I guess if you’re my fake boyfriend, then she can be my fake grandmother, right?”
Sadness grips my chest. “You don’t talk to your parents?”
“When I hit the New York Times Bestseller list for the first time, they came around looking for a handout.” She lets out a humorless laugh.
“They didn’t come to congratulate me or celebrate.
They just wanted to use me. I was young and stupid, and I gave them a little bit of money thinking they’d leave me alone after that.
But it wasn’t enough. They blew through it, probably on drugs or at the casino, and then they tried coming back for more.
I haven’t heard from them in eight years. ”
I reach out and cover her hand with mine. “It’s their loss.”
“They don’t see it that way. And that’s okay. My friends are my family.” Cassidy stares down at our clasped hands. “My parents taught me how to take care of myself, so I’m grateful for that.”
Leave it to her to put a positive spin on her asshole parents.
Something stirs inside of me—something fierce and protective. She took care of Nana, so I’m going to make sure Cassidy is taken care of too. It’s the least I can do to repay her.
“For what it’s worth, you’re not alone, Cassidy Quinn. You have me now.”
She chuckles. “I know, it’s part of the contract.”
My eyebrows press together. “Hey, look at me.”
She lifts her hazel eyes to mine.
“You have me, regardless of the contract. If you need something, don’t hesitate to ask. You understand?”
She nods, and a small smile touches her lips. “Got it, Neighbor Man.”