by Max Hudson
“I see.” David shut his car door with a heavy sigh. “You’re going to burn yourself into the ground, John.”
John snorted.
“That’s rich coming from the man who practically lived in his office. It’s surprising you remembered that you had a family.”
“That’s not fair. At least I knew my limits.”
“No, you didn’t. I can’t begin to count how many times you ended up in hospital because you forgot to rest.”
John wasn’t about to forget the times he had to see his father after David had collapsed at his desk. Being the assistant district attorney had been a title David wanted to keep, and he went to the extremes. He loved his job, but it got to him on too many occasions. John was surprised a heart attack hadn’t taken his father and that David had managed to reach the ripe old age of sixty-five before retiring. The man was made of steel.
That had been four years ago, and it looked like David was showing no signs of slowing down.
He was too tired to argue with his dad about long hours. John nodded toward his house.
“Do you want to come in, Dad? It’s getting cold out here.”
“Okay.” David grimaced as Walrider barked and jumped up at him, his big paws bouncing off David’s chest. “As long as you keep that mutt away from me.”
“Walrider is not a mutt.” John protested, whistling sharply. Walrider trotted over to him, doing circles around John’s legs. “He’s a live wire, but he’s not a mutt.”
David still didn’t look convinced. He hated dogs. John had wanted a dog for years as a kid, but David had refused. Walrider had been around for a long time, and he seemed to know that David had a dislike for him, so the dog pounced on himself whenever he could. Even with his dislike for Walrider, John could tell that David had some respect for his pet. Walrider was a good companion for John. David had conceded years back that John’s happiness was more important than his distaste for dogs.
Even then, he kept himself at a distance as they entered the house. Walrider bounced in straight to the kitchen, shoving his nose into his water bowl. As he lapped away, John stepped past him and switched the kettle on.
“Coffee?”
“Please.” David eased himself onto a chair at the kitchen table with a heavy sigh. “I feel like I need an energy burst.”
“Energy burst, you? You keep going no matter what, Dad.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” David grunted. “I feel like I’m getting tired quicker than normal.”
He yawned loudly. John laughed.
“It’s called old age.”
“Thank you very much.” David sat back and stretched his legs out under the table. “You still going to soccer?”
“When I can.” John retrieved two coffee mugs from the cupboard. “I’m starting to lose my enthusiasm for it, though, so it’s sparingly.”
“It keeps you fit. And you need that.”
“You make it sound like I need to lose weight.” John patted his flat belly. “I’m fine. I go to work on my bike three times a week and I go for a run every evening with Walrider. That’s enough for me right now with my busy schedule.”
“I see.” David paused. “And is it too busy to see your mother?”
John paused.
“What’s happened? Is she okay?”
David’s jaw tightened. He suddenly looked frailer than he had a moment before. John should have guessed there was a reason for visiting at this time of night, but David had a habit of doing small talk before he went to the news he was carrying. It was frustrating, and now John wished his father had told him as soon as he got back from his run.
“She was admitted into hospital this morning.” David rubbed his hands over his face. “She fell on the path getting the mail and broke her hip.”
John felt a chill go up his spine. He loved his mother, and he had worried about her over the last four years since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Suddenly, she had become a shadow of her former self. Katherine Coyne wasn’t as strong as before, both mentally and physically.
This would be the fifth time in two years that she had ended up in the hospital.
“How’s she doing?”
“Not good. In a lot of pain.” David sighed heavily. “But she has to have an operation in the morning. Put a new hip in as hers is completely smashed.”
Another operation. The third in two years. John said nothing as he finished making the coffee and carried the mugs to the table. Placing one in front of his father, John sat across from him, putting his mug to one side.
“If you want me to pay for the operation, Dad, I’m more than happy to do so.”
David scowled.
“That’s not why I’m here, John. I can handle it.”
“No, you can’t. I remember how expensive it was last time. Let me help out, Dad. It’s the least I can do.”
David was still wavering. He didn’t like accepting help from anyone. The entire family was like that, stubborn to the last. John wished he could help more, but his father was determined to do things himself. Not this time. John didn’t think his parents had completely paid off the last medical bill.
David’s shoulder sagged and he looked away in dejection. He nodded.
“Okay.”
“Don’t be embarrassed about asking. You know I’ll always do it.”
David grunted.
“Thank you, son. Would you be able to come up and see her?”
“Of course.” John picked up his coffee mug and took a sip. “I can ask tomorrow if I can have an extended lunch break and work an hour later. I’ll come over then.”
“Thank you.” David managed a smile. “She’ll be glad to see you. The operation is tomorrow afternoon, so anything to take her mind off it.”
“I’ll do what I can.” John paused. “Does Violet know about Mom?”
David’s smile started fading. Pain appeared in his eyes.
“She does, but she’s on vacation right now. She said she won’t be back for another week.”
“Another week?” John snorted. “You’d think she would come back immediately for her mother.”
“You know what your sister’s like. If it didn’t happen to her, it’s not her problem.”
John couldn’t argue with that. His younger sister had always been the princess who wanted everything. Even when she had everything that she had done a few years back, Violet wanted more. She just didn’t know when to stop.
Chris had learned the hard way. John didn’t know how many times Violet cheated on him, thinking she could get Chris to go along with it. At least he had put his foot down and kicked her out the moment he found out; Chris Bayliss wasn’t an idiot. Violet, sadly, had thought he was.
Seeing his father’s dejected look, John reached over and touched David’s hand.
“Forget about Violet for now. I’ll do whatever I can with Mom, okay?”
“Please.” David sighed. “It’s not easy when I’m alone with her.”
“Then let me hire a caregiver for Mom. It would help you out.”
But David was already shaking his head before John had finished.
“No, John. No. I won’t go down that road. Your mother wouldn’t find that dignified.”
“Look, Dad, both of you need to swallow your pride. Mom needs your support, but she also needs you to look after yourself. She needs to know you’re well enough to be there for her. You can’t do that if you collapse yourself. The spouse often dies before the one being cared for, remember?”
“That’s not always the case, John.”
“But it is possible.” John insisted. “I don’t want to go down that road with you.”
He could see David was wavering. The man didn’t like to admit that he needed help, or that he wasn’t as strong as everyone thought. Katherine was exactly the same. Even with her memory deteriorating, she didn’t like to ask for help. John loved his parents dearly, but he wished they would step back and let someone else take charge. It would ma
ke their lives a lot easier.
But that was a conversation for another time. David just needed some company for now, to take his mind off things.
“Look, I’m about to order some food in. While I have a shower, do you fancy putting the TV on? I think there’s a softball game tonight.”
David shrugged and then squared his shoulders.
“Okay. If you don’t mind me moaning.”
John laughed as he stood.
“You’ve been doing that for years. What’s new there?”
Chapter Three
Katherine was in a grumpy mood when John went to see her on his lunch break, but she brightened up when John brought her favorite strawberries and talked to her. She was hazy on what had happened and wanted to go home, even trying to get up and leave, but John managed to keep her in the bed. This was not one of her good days.
It broke John’s heart to see his mother like this. The woman had been the backbone of the family, even more so than David. She was always so strong, and to see her struggling like this and losing memories was painful. John wished he could do something about it, but it was life. It often wasn’t kind.
However, seeing his mother did make John feel better as he headed back to work. No matter her mood, Katherine always managed to have him smiling. Her presence did that to people. Everyone loved her.
Even after visiting her, John was still thinking about his mother throughout the afternoon. She would be undergoing her operation and then she would be in hospital for days before going home to recover properly. If all went well, she would be able to walk properly. If not, then there was a chance the operation would have to be done all over again.
Katherine was tough, but even she wouldn’t want to go through it once more.
For a week, John went to see Katherine in the hospital. She had days where she was fed up and wanted to go home, and others where she was smiling and happy, eager for someone to talk to. John sat with her until visiting hours ended in the evening so David could go and have something to eat. She was taking to the operation well, and the doctors were confident she would be at home within another week.
John hoped so. He knew it was taking its toll on both David and Katherine. At least they would be more comfortable at home, somewhere familiar.
By the time Friday came along, John decided he would go up to his parents’ home an hour away and stay with them, making sure they had everything. Katherine adored Walrider, who was like a constant companion to her whenever they visited. It would do her good.
Along with his colleague, John headed down into the parking lot that evening. Sandy brushed her hair out of her eyes and gave John a smile.
“Thanks for escorting me to my car.”
“It’s an honor.”
Sandy giggled.
“You forgot the ‘my lady’ bit.”
“Does it really need to be said?” John gave her a low bow. “My lady.”
Sandy’s giggles turned into a full-belly laugh. She punched his shoulder.
“You’re bonkers, John.”
“I have to keep myself going somehow.”
Sandy was still laughing as she kissed his cheek. Then she started walking toward her car, waving over her shoulder.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Bye.”
“John!”
John turned. He saw a woman with raven hair flowing out behind her storming toward him across the parking lot. Her heels click-clacked loudly on the tarmac, and her stride was quick, angry. John groaned. He could have done without this.
“John?” Sandy had paused, turning back to him. “You okay?”
John wasn’t, but he wasn’t about to let Sandy get the sharp side of the woman’s tongue. He waved her away, watching as Sandy reluctantly went to her car and got in. As Sandy pulled out of her spot and drove off, Violet Coyne reached John. She tossed her hair over her shoulder, her blue eyes settling on her brother.
“Good to see you, Violet.” John sneered. “How was Cancun?”
“It was fine until Dad called me about Mom last week,” Violet snorted. “Did he tell you as well?”
“Of course he did. I’ve been visiting Mom since she went into hospital.” John folded his arms. “Have you been to see her? I know Mom would like to see you.”
Violet shook her head, making a face.
“No way. I hate hospitals. She can wait until she’s home.”
“And you came all the way down here to tell me that?” John narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing here, Violet?”
“Me?” Violet blinked and looked confused. “I wanted to see how you were doing. You’re my brother, after all.”
“You’ve never cornered me at work to see how I am before.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do.” John sighed. He could guess what was going on. “You and your latest squeeze have broken up and now you’re trying to get back with Chris.”
“Of course not!”
But John shook his head. He knew his sister. It was her modus operandi since Chris had divorced her. Violet would go to a man she thought would give her a better life and looked good on her arm. Then she would have a fight with the guy when they couldn’t keep up with her or put their foot down on something - usually about money - and Violet would drop them, going back to Chris. And every time Chris sent her away with her tail between her legs.
It had been eighteen months since the divorce had been finalized, and Violet still hadn’t got it into her head that Chris wanted nothing more to do with her.
Violet huffed and waved her hand.
“Okay, fine. I wanted to talk to him. We haven’t spoken in a while.”
“You’re his ex-wife. There is a reason for that.”
“But we were still married.”
John rolled his eyes.
“Violet, you two never had children so you have no excuse to talk about that, and the settlement was dealt with a long time ago. You get nothing more. So why are you still bothering?”
Violet pouted. She planted her hands on her hips.
“It was a misunderstanding. I kept telling Chris that, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“He caught you cheating on him and with more than one person.” John made a face. “A threesome in his own bed? Are you mad, Violet?”
“You... He told you that?”
“Come off it, who do you think he came to when he found out?”
John could still remember that night. Chris, strong and tough Chris, had been a mess. He couldn’t understand why Violet would betray him, and they had spent most of the night talking while Chris tried to figure out where he had gone wrong for Violet to stray. It had broken John’s heart to see him like that.
“Oh, did he?” Violet sneered. “And I bet you loved that.”
“Grow up, Violet. You violated the marriage and Chris got rid of you, as he should have. He’s not going to forgive you anytime soon, and he’s certainly not going to take you back.” John rubbed at his eyes. Talking to his sister always gave him a headache. “You’re lucky he hasn’t put a restraining order on you.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong and he knows it.”
John knew he wasn’t going to get it into Violet’s head that she should go home. She was going into the building to look for Chris, whether he liked it or not.
“Violet, it’s been two years. Chris didn’t change his mind that easily, and he’s certainly not going to get back with the woman who cheated on him. It’s time to just leave it be, don’t you think?” He smirked. “Or wait until the next guy comes along for you to fawn over.”
Violet snarled.
“Pig.”
“Looked in the mirror lately?”
John could still hear Violet shouting obscenities at him as he walked away. He had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing.
Chapter Four
Chris was worn out, and he had barely started his shift. He hadn’t been sleeping well lately, and all he wanted to do
was go home and slip into his bed.
Why did he agree to be the supervisor of the night shift? Better pay, yes, but that paled when it meant having a sleeping pattern Chris still hadn’t got used to even after ten months.
At least it stopped him from interacting with Violet. Even though the divorce was finalized and Chris wasn’t about to change it anytime soon, she kept coming over to bother him. Chris wished she would just walk away and leave him alone.
But that would be too easy, wouldn’t it? Violet never made it easy.
And then Chris realized he was watching Violet on one of the cameras in the parking lot. She was arguing with John, looking rather irate. Chris couldn’t see John’s expression, but from the tension in his shoulders it looked as though he would rather be anywhere but with his sister.
Chris couldn’t blame him. Violet did that to everyone, even him. And it had taken him some years before Chris agreed with everyone else about his ex-wife. Violet really had pulled the wool over his eyes. And it wasn’t pleasant when it finally came off.
Everyone had been right about her. Chris just hadn’t been willing to believe it. He certainly believed it now.
It was a few moments longer before John walked away, heading toward his car. Chris tried not to openly stare at John’s retreating back, his trousers stretching over his taut backside. The raven-haired man, slim with solid muscle, was certainly a sight to see. It was a wonder he hadn’t settled down yet; anyone would consider John Coyne a great catch. But John never seemed to have much luck with love. His relationships never seemed to last long. He was married to his work.
Chris had often wondered what someone had to possess to get John’s attention.
“Hey, Chris.”
Chris looked up. Violet was in the doorway to his office. He hadn’t realized she had left the parking lot. Now she was leaning on the doorframe giving him a coquettish look. He had to admit she still looked as lovely as ever, her curvy frame clad in a white blouse and short skirt, but it did nothing for him now. After everything Violet had done, Chris couldn’t find it in himself to see Violet with nothing more than contempt.
“What do you want, Violet?”