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She ushered me in, and as soon as the door closed Tru was there, coat in hand.
“I see you’re ready to go.” Paula laughed.
“Sorry, Mrs. Stanley, I’m just tired. It’s been a long day.”
She waved off Tru’s concern. “I understand. Nothing like your own bed to snuggle away the stress.”
“I’ll text you tomorrow, Steph.”
She hugged Steph and they whispered something to each other, and then we were out the door.
“Tru is welcome anytime, Easton. You don’t have to do this alone.” Paula’s expression was full of kindness, and it wasn’t the first time someone had told me that.
After Laura died, I hadn’t thought anyone could help us because I was a stubborn fool. I’d learned quickly that if it wasn’t for the people in my life, I wouldn’t have made it out of that first year.
“Thank you, Paula. I’ll certainly hold you to that.”
Tru was quiet as I drove us back to the house. It’s always a stupid question, but I asked it anyway.
“How you doing, Tru-bug?”
“I dunno, Dad.” Her shoulders slumped and she released a heavy sigh. “Milo called me before you got to Steph’s house. He said he was okay, missed his room and me, but that he was having a good time with Finch…is that his nurse?”
I nodded. “Yeah, he’s…unique.”
Out of the corner of my eye I saw her swipe her cheek. “Is he coming home soon?”
I wanted to pull over, scoop her up, and hug the sadness away, but we were less than two blocks from home.
“Yes, Tru. I promise.” Reaching over I squeezed her knee. “Dr. Perry needed more tests and until the results all come in, he is where he needs to be. I miss him too.”
“Can…can I go to the hospital to see him tomorrow?”
This I didn’t know. “I can call and ask. They have him on a special floor, and you need to wear masks and all that. Very germ free. I don’t know the rules, but I will call and find out.”
She was silent the rest of the way and when I pulled into the garage, the weight of the day crashed into me.
“You look tired, Dad.”
“Hospitals are tiring, Tru-bug.”
The only light on in the house was the one in the kitchen Milo had forgotten to turn off this morning after I’d asked him to. Tru quickly hit some switches and chased away the shadows.
“It’s late but if you want to hang out, talk…anything, we can.”
Tru shot me a half smile. “I’m really tired; I just needed to be home.”
“Okay, I’ll see if I can find out if you can come to the hospital tomorrow and let you know in the morning.”
I opened my arms as soon as she moved and a second later, she was squeezing me.
“It will be okay, Tru. Milo is tough.”
It was muffled but I made out her words sure enough. “So was Mom.”
Anything I wanted to say got stuck in my throat. Tru was fearing the same thing I was and once again, I had to swallow my grief and be strong for my child.
“This is different, Tru.” Gently, I pushed her away so I could look into her green eyes. “You know that.”
