Seven Years Ago
SULLY
“I tried to pay attention in the hospital, but there was so much going on, and I didn’t like looking at anything that wasn’t her, and fuck—”
“It’s okay.” Blake gently extracted the medication from my hands. “I’ll show you, and then you can take care of her next time.”
I nodded, grateful, following him down the hallway at Maple Street.
“You didn’t have to do this,” I said.
“What?”
“Drive all the way from Chicago.”
He was sitting on the porch when we got home from the hospital, illuminated by lightning bugs.
“I haven’t been home from school in a while.” He cast a brief look over his shoulder—deep brown eyes that looked nothing like my own found me.
“Missed me, huh?” I tried to joke.
He exhaled, shaking his head. The corner of his mouth lifted. “Yeah, dude.” He rounded the corner into the bathroom, where Ellie was waiting. “And missed my favorite neighbor, too. Hey, Ellie Bellie.”
“Hey, Blake.” Her threadbare voice cut me to the core, but at least she was here and home and no longer in a hospital bed. She sat on the toilet, wringing her hands, and I crouched, taking them in mine.
“Let’s get this shot over with, yeah?” Blake said, flashing an off-kilter grin.
“That sounds good.” Ellie’s leg bounced. “I don’t really remember what they said in the ER. How to do it.”
“That’s okay,” my brother said and motioned for her to stand. “That’s why I’m here.”
Everything was going to be okay.