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“I don’t, though.”
No, I supposed not. “I love you and Milo more than anything in this world. We Koopers are fighters and if he falters, we’ll pick him up and get him to the finish line. I’m not losing either of you, understand?”
It was an empty promise, but when her smile lifted, I accepted the win.
“I understand.”
“Now, the offer still stands. Wanna hang out?”
She chuckled and stepped farther away. “I really am tired…unless, did you want to?”
“I’m good. I’ll call the hospital and head to bed myself.”
“Love you, Dad.” With one last hug she raced up the stairs.
I moved into the kitchen and pulled out my cell phone. Finch had given me the direct number to the nurses’ station and to his phone, which I was sure was unorthodox. I took a chance and called his. It rang twice.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Finch. It’s Easton, Milo’s dad.” I rolled my eyes because I sounded like a kid calling my friend’s house hoping he could come over.
“Hey, Easton.” He was talking softly and judging by the hour, the ward was probably full of sleeping patients.
“Sorry to bother you. My daughter had a question, and I figured you’d know best.”
“No bother at all. I was just reading in the recliner. Milo fell asleep fifteen minutes ago and since he’s my only patient, I’m taking advantage of the time off.” His laugh was like wind chimes, and the pressure in my chest eased.
“Good idea. Is he…how is he?”
“Milo’s great. No one is taking any more blood tonight. They are waiting on results, which some could take a couple of days, but all the others have a rush on them. We played Mortal Kombat…he won a lot. And then he dozed off.”
“Thank you, Finch, really. I know this isn’t the normal way things are done at any hospital.”
“Think nothing of it. I should thank you. This is the easiest night I’ve ever worked.”
“Fair enough.”
“So, what’s your question?”
“Tru wants to see her brother, and I don’t know the rules for that. The ward he’s in isn’t a typical one, and she’s under eighteen.”
“Hmm…well, it’s a good question.”
“Is that a compliment prior to the letdown?”
The sudden urge to see Finch’s face was overwhelming. In the few encounters we’d had, I’d seen a spark in his eyes and in the ER before we’d had to mask up, his heart-shaped lips had curled almost mischievously.
Heart-shaped lips? What the hell?
“No, no. Milo’s whole situation seems to be running differently than others. There’s another patient on this floor whose brother visits him, and he’s sixteen. How old is Tru? Sorry if you said already.”
“Thirteen, and I don’t think I ever said.”
“Is she up-to-date on all her vaccinations?”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay, let me see what I can do. I leave at seven in the morning…at least that’s when my shift ends, but I will message you on your cell phone as soon as I know.”
