21. Chapter 21
Chapter twenty-one
“Everybody loves Mr. B.”
Allie tried unsuccessfully to give Kai the fever reducer, then set the cup on the counter and tried to comfort Kai. “We need the eyedropper.”
“Eyedropper? Oh, right, the eyedropper.”
“It was with the thermometer and the Tylenol.”
“I’ll go get it.”
Abe headed down the hallway, which seemed darker and narrower than he remembered. He was slightly disoriented, and he bumped into the door frame as he entered the bathroom.
“Dammit.” He dug through the bag again and pulled out the eyedropper. It, too, was sealed in plastic, and he glared at it. “Really? It’s a friggin’ eyedropper.” He cut the package open, ran the dropper under hot water, then returned to the kitchen.
He filled it with the medicine, then went to Allie and Kai. “So, what now?”
“Squirt it into the corner of his mouth. I’ll keep it closed so he can’t spit it back out.”
“That seems kind of mean.”
“It’s not mean. He needs the medicine.”
He did as he was told, and Kai swallowed it, then coughed before resuming crying. When he held his arms out, Abe took him from Allie. “I got you, buddy.”
When Kai suddenly stopped crying, then a moment later started seizing, Abe stopped breathing and turned to Allie.
She rubbed Kai’s back. “He’s okay. Just hold on to him until it passes.”
When the seizure stopped, Abe handed Kai back to Allie and took several steps back. “What the hell was that? What’s wrong with him?”
“It was a febrile seizure.”
“Shit.”
“It’s from the fever. It’s not dangerous, and it doesn’t do any damage.”
“How is that not dangerous?” He moved further away and leaned on the counter.
“Both Wes and Luke had a few as young children. Micah, too. It's something he’ll grow out of.” She looked at him for a moment. “Sit down, honey. I don’t need to be taking care of you too.”
Abe walked unsteadily to the table and sat down. “Did I do this? Did I make him sick?”
“Of course not. Babies get sick.”
“But I took him to the river. The water was cold. Maybe—”
“Abraham, you didn’t cause this.”
“I can’t do this. I can’t…I don’t know how to take care of him. Damn. Why did I think I could do this?”
Kai was quiet since the seizure and was nodding off. “Go take a walk, Abe.”
“A walk? You want me to leave?”
“I want you to go get some air. Take a walk. Take a drive. Get out of the house for a little while. Kai is going to sleep now. The seizure wiped him out.”
“We have to watch him.”
“I’ll make a bed for you on the couch, and I’ll sleep in your room with Kai. I’ll keep an eye on him all night.”
“Get some air?”
“Yes, please.”
“He’s not going to do that again, right?”
“Not tonight.”
He looked at his boxers. “I guess I should put some pants on.”
“That would be best, dear.”
Abe got dressed, then grabbed his phone, wallet, and keys. He looked at the three items and shook his head. He didn’t want to leave the house with only those things anymore. He returned to the kitchen. “I’ll take a short drive.”
“Are you okay to drive?”
“Yeah. I’m good.”
He left the house and walked to the car.
He started to open the door, then looked toward the garage.
The motorcycle would do a much better job of clearing his head.
He got on his bike and headed down the street.
When he found himself driving past Rocco’s, he pulled into the lot and parked in front of the door.
He went inside and took a beer from the cooler, then sat at a booth and opened it.
He just wanted to erase the image of Kai seizing in his arms. He’d barely drunk over the last month since Kai arrived.
He hadn’t really thought about it, or missed it.
But now, perhaps it would help. A few minutes later, he stared at the empty bottle.
The memory of the seizure was still there, and Abe got up to get another beer.
A third beer later, he was still in the booth.
“Fresh air. I’m supposed to be getting fresh air.
” He took three more beers from the cooler, intending to bring them home, then left the restaurant.
He stashed the beers in the bike’s small storage area, then drove out of the parking lot and headed for the river.
He followed Northside to the park, then drove to the swimming beach and parked the bike.
Abe took out one of the beers and sat on a picnic table, his feet on the bench. Spring always brought wildflowers to the shore, and their scent filled the air. An owl hooted nearby, and the crickets were holding a sing-along somewhere nearby.
Abe opened the fourth beer. He’d hoped the image of Kai having his seizure would have been drowned out by the beer by now, but it was as clear as ever.
He thought about Levi and what Gentry had to deal with every day.
His brother was a rock, someone who seemed able to handle anything.
“I’m not. I can’t do this. I can’t see him sick.
” He rubbed his chest, then turned and lay back on the wooden table, bringing his feet up and bending his knees.
The sky was clear and full of stars. He’d spent a few nights with Lizzie sleeping under them, and she’d pointed out all the constellations.
He remembered a few and tried to find them, then closed his eyes.
“Lizzie, I’m sorry I’m a crap father. I thought if I just loved him enough, I could keep him safe.
” He laughed. “Na?ve, right? I’m overwhelmed by how much I don’t know about raising a kid. ”
Abe was on his fifth beer when a falling star streaked across the sky. He smiled. “Is that you, Lizzie? If anyone could become a falling star, it’s you.” He laid back down on the table and closed his eyes.
“Abe.”
The voice was far away and quite annoying. He just wanted to sleep.
“Abe. Wake up.”
When Wes shook his shoulder, Abe opened his eyes. “Go away, man.” Wes took the half-empty bottle Abe was resting on his stomach, and Abe scowled. “Hey.”
“I think you’ve had enough.” He held out his hand. “Come on. Sit up.”
“Where am I?”
“At Smith River Park.”
Abe took Wes’ hand and let him pull him to a sitting position. “Stupid name. Kind of on the nose.”
Wes looked at him. “What would you have named the park on Smith River?”
Abe shrugged. “I don’t know. Something better, though.” He blinked a few times to try to clear his vision. “Why are you here?” He rubbed his eyes.
“Mom sent me out to look for you.”
“Oh damn. Is she mad?”
“More worried than mad. She might get mad once you get home, though.”
“I hate when Mom’s mad at me.”
“I know. It’s pretty rough.”
Abe scowled. “How would you know? She’s never gotten mad at you. You’re her…whatever. Perfect, smart, successful son. Everybody loves Mr. B.”
“We need to get you home.”
“Is Kai okay?” He leaned forward and almost lost his balance.
Wes grabbed his arm and steadied him. “He’s asleep. Fever is down.”
“Thank God.” Abe sighed loudly. “No thanks to me.” He looked at Wes. “Are you ever going to have kids?”
“Probably not.”
“You’re lucky.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Super lucky. It’s actually kind of sad, though. You’re missing out. Not on this part. The other parts. The good parts.”
Wes sat next to Abe. “I understand how the seizure thing threw you. But you can’t do this, man. You can’t run off and get drunk every time Kai gets sick.”
“Mom told me to go.”
“She told you to get some air. She didn’t tell you to get drunk. How many did you have, anyway?”
“Um…five. Well, four and a half, thanks to you.”
“You drank them all here?”
“No, the first three I drank at the restaurant.”
“Damn, Abe, you drove here after three beers?”
Abe hung his head and rested his forearms on his knees. “I’m a terrible father.”
“You’re going to be a dead father if you keep driving your motorcycle while intoxicated. How were you going to get home? Get on the damn bike again?”
“No.” He sat up straight, then got off the table. “I need to go get rid of some of this beer.”
“You can’t…” Wes sighed. “Go for it, I guess. No one here but us and the crickets.”
Abe walked off and went behind a bush to relieve himself. As he was walking back, headlights appeared, then stopped behind Wes’ car.
“Is that more of the search party?”
“I don’t think Mom sent anyone else.”
When he recognized Justin, Abe sighed. “Did Mom call you?”
“No. I was on patrol and recognized Wes’ car. What are you guys doing out here?” He looked at Abe. “Have you been drinking?”
“A little bit, yeah.”
Wes shook his head. “More than a little bit.”
“What’s going on?”
“There was an incident with Kai and our brother freaked out a little bit.”
“Incident?”
“He’s sick. Just normal baby sick. But he had a febrile seizure.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s rough to watch.”
Abe scowled. “How come you both know what that is?”
Justin put a hand on his chest. “I’m a first responder. I may not be a paramedic, but I’ve seen a lot.”
Wes held up his hand. “I’m just not an idiot.”
“Wow. Thanks, brother.”
Justin laughed. “So, what’s the plan here, guys?”
“I need to get Abe home. But I don’t know how to get his bike home.”
“Right. I could have it impounded.”
Abe took a step forward. “No.”
Justin laughed. “I’m kidding. Who do we wake up this time of night to come pick up your damn bike? Does Maggie still have your truck?”
“Yes, but we’re not waking her up.”
“She’s got the ramps, too. Unless she took them out.”
“I don’t want you to call Maggie. Call Luke.”
Wes pulled out his phone and dialed. “Sorry to wake you, Maggie.” He glanced at Abe, who muttered a curse.
“I need a big favor.” He stepped a couple of feet away from Abe.
“We need to move Abe’s motorcycle, and since you have his truck and the ramps…
no, he’s fine. Not another accident.” He listened for a moment.
“Smith River Park. Okay. Thanks, Maggie.” He ended the call. “She’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”
Abe dropped onto the seat of the picnic table. “Damn you.”
“She’s happy to help.”