Shark Out of Water

by DelSheree Gladden

  “For what?”

  Myles stuck his hands in his pockets. “For doubting you.” He finally looked over at his friend. “When you came to me after I first told you Charlotte was my patient, I wasn’t kind to you. I told you to stay away from her. I thought you’d only be a momentary distraction and then leave her when things got tough. I underestimated you.”

  For the first time since Carmody’s call, Guy smiled. “Well, I did not give you reason to assume anything else. It is all right. I doubted myself as well.”

  “You proved us both wrong, then,” Myles said with a faint laugh. “You’re a good man, Guy. I always suspected you were, but you sure tried hard to make me think otherwise.”

  “Foolishness of youth,” Guy said. He meant it, too. Life before meeting Charlotte seemed like years distant instead of months. He could not imagine ever going back to the life he had been living. Commitment had seemed so pointless, an exercise that only made two people worse versions of themselves as they attempted and failed to change into someone they were not.

  Guy now realized that was not what it meant. He had changed for Charlotte, but not because he was trying to become the person she desired him to be. He changed because he wanted to be someone worthy of her love. It was difficult to know if he would ever truly become that person. There were still many things he needed to improve, many times he failed and fell short. He kept trying, though, because she was too important not to.

  As they reached the elevators to wait, Myles looked at Guy seriously. “How are Charlotte’s parents going to handle this?”

  “I honestly do not know,” Guy said. “I have never met them.”

  “You haven’t?”

  Guy shook his head. “We have not been able to visit them, and Charlotte said it is not easy for them to travel. Her father has trouble sitting in the car for long periods of time because of a back injury and her mother has very poor vision. She cannot drive any longer.”

  “I’m amazed they made it here,” Myles said with a shake of his head. “I assume you’ve spoken with them, though. They know you, at least.”

  Hesitating, Guy sighed. “Aside from calling them tonight, no, I have not spoken with them. To be honest, they do not approve of me or my relationship with Charlotte. It has been a source of tension since we have been together.”

  Myles seemed quite surprised by the news. He shook his head sadly. “Well, hopefully they’ll put Charlotte’s needs ahead of their personal feelings. She will need their support.”

  “You do what you must for family,” Guy said, but secretly, he worried as well.

  Myles nodded, but the longer they stood there waiting, the more anxious Guy felt. Warren squirmed in his arms as if he felt his discomfort even in his sleep. After a few minutes, Myles noticed as well. “Guy, is everything all right?”

  Sighing heavily, Guy said, “Charlotte’s parents will likely put on a good face with me, but I do not know how long it will last with all the other stresses already present. I am worried of how it will affect Warren. He is already afraid that if Charlotte cannot care for him, they will take him away to live with them.”

  “And you’re scared of the same thing.”

  Guy’s head dropped before nodding in silence.

  Myles clapped his hand on Guy’s back reassuringly. “Don’t worry too much. The minute they see how you are with Warren, they’ll understand why he and Charlotte love you so much.”

  Hope that his friend was right settled around him. It nearly fled a moment later when a sound announced the arrival of the elevator. Guy’s arms tightened around Warren reflexively. He could barely breathe as the doors rolled open. Two people in their early-seventies stared out at them, their eyes darting between Myles and Guy. They looked uncertain as they started forward.

  The man Guy assumed to be Charlotte’s father shuffled forward with a walking cane. Each step seemed to cause him pain, but he kept on. The woman next to him held his free arm and helped him forward as she eyed the man holding her grandson. The doors of the elevator sliding closed was the only sound until the woman finally spoke.

  “You must be Guy,” she said, eyes still pinned to him.

  Unable to determine whether there was animosity, or only exhaustion in her expression, Guy swallowed and answered. “Yes, I am Guy, Charlotte’s boyfriend.”

  The woman’s expression crinkled. “Well, we are here now.” She reached out to take Warren while asking Myles, “Where is our daughter? We’d like to be updated on her status as soon as possible. Someone needs to be able to make informed decisions for her until she wakes up.”

  Clearly rankled by their behavior, Myles crossed his arms over his chest. His reaction, in addition to the fact that Guy had no intention of releasing Warren, caused Charlotte’s mother to glare at them both.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Martin, while I’m sure Charlotte will be very glad to know you’re both here for her, any decisions that need to be made will not be made by you or your husband. Charlotte named Dr. Saint Laurent as her medical power of attorney. I am sure he will discuss any decision to be made with you, but he will be the one to make any final decisions.”

  “What?” Charlotte’s mother demanded. “But we’re her family, not him.”

  Guy bristled at the comment, but Myles continued on politely. “Given that Guy has attended every chemo appointment with your daughter, not to mention the many meetings we’ve had to discuss her care, he’s capable of taking very good care of her. She trusted him with this responsibility, and I hope you will too. This is not the time to fight with each other. You will need each other’s support.”

  Even though Guy knew Myles was right to get this out in the open from the beginning, he did not like how upset it had made Charlotte’s parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Martin, Charlotte chose me, not only because I love her very much, but because of practicality as well. We did not know if you would be able to be here in an emergency, and I do know all the details of her illness. I only want to make sure she is given the best care.”

  Charlotte’s mother softened somewhat, but still did not seemed pleased with the situation at all. Mr. Martin, however, was more focused on his grandson than anything else. He struggled to approach, so Guy walked over to him. His hand rested gently on Warren’s sleeping form. “How is he handling this?” Mr. Martin asked.

  “He is very scared,” Guy said honestly, “but we have many friends here in support. He is trying to be brave.”

  “Of course he is,” Mr. Martin said, his chin trembling. “He’s strong, just like his mother.”

  “Oui, he is.” Guy was relieved when he did not attempt to take Warren from him. He only patted his grandson once more and asked if there was somewhere he could sit.

  A few minutes later, several chairs had been pulled up next to Charlotte’s room for them to sit in while they discussed what they knew. Both of Charlotte’s parents listened intently to everything Guy and Myles explained. Even though Charlotte had kept them up to date on her treatment, there was much they did not understand and had to be explained. As the details rolled on, Mrs. Martin’s hostility toward Guy being named as their daughter’s medical power of attorney faltered. She seemed to understand how much needed to be considered, and how much she did not know enough about to make those choices. Every time her eyes drifted to Warren, though, the anger returned.

  The sun had risen by the time the discussion ended. Warren stirred in Guy’s arms. By the time his eyes finally rolled open, it was obvious he had not slept nearly enough, but the sight of his grandparents cleared away any sleepiness.

  “Gramma and Grampa Martin!” he said happily. For a moment, he seemed to forget why they were there and jumped off Guy’s lap to hug them both. It was not until he pulled away and took in the sight of the hospital hallways that he remembered and his joyful expression evaporated. “You came to see Mom, right? To make sure she gets better?”

  “Of course, little man, and to take care of you while your mommy is sick.”

  Warren’s
face scrunched in confusion. “But, Papa Guy will take care of me.”

  Mrs. Martin frowned at Warren’s words. She clearly did not approve of him calling Guy papa. She stiffened even more as Warren backed away from them and stood next to Guy. Even Mr. Martin wore a sad expression. Guy could see it in Mrs. Martin’s eyes that she thought Guy had purposefully tried to turn her grandson against her for some reason. He had no idea why she would think that of him, but it was clear in her expression.

  Squeezing Warren’s hand, Guy said, “We will all take care of you together. Me, your grand-mère et grand-père, Carmody and Michael, Leila, all our friends will help, because we all love you so much.”

  Warren still seemed uncertain, and he would not let go of Guy, but when his grandmother reached out to him, he took her hand and smiled.

  “I want to stay,” Charlotte’s father said, “but we have been driving all night and need to get some sleep. At least a few hours.”

  Mrs. Martin nodded, though she also seemed quite reluctant to leave. “You’ll call us as soon as anything changes?” she asked Myles, rather than Guy. Myles frowned at her continued hostility, but nodded all the same. She turned her attention to Warren, then. “Why don’t you come with us? You still look very tired.”

  “No,” Warren said firmly. “I’m staying here with Mommy and Papa Guy.”

  Both Guy and Mr. Martin sighed while Charlotte’s mother frowned so deeply it seemed to split her face. She stood sharply. She pretended to speak to the group, but her eyes were boring through Guy. “We’ll sort this out when we’ve all gotten some sleep.”

  Guy did not respond. He stood slowly and shook hands with Mr. Martin. His wife had already started down the hall. “Warren is just scared,” Guy said, feeling badly that their feelings had been hurt. “No one is trying to keep him from either of you. He just doesn’t know what is going to happen and that frightens him.”

  “It frightens me, too,” Mr. Martin said. “I’ll speak to my wife. She’s scared as well.”

  “I know.”

  The two men parted ways, Guy collapsing back into the chair as soon as Charlotte’s parents were out of sight. Myles sat down next to him looking equally exhausted. Warren curled back up on Guy’s lap a moment later. All Guy wanted to do was sit there and close his eyes and not open them until Charlotte was well again.

  “Guy,” Myles said, interrupting his tortured thoughts, “do you know if Charlotte has a will?”

  He had to think about the answer. They had spoken about her making one at the same time they discussed the medical power of attorney. Guy had pressed her about the latter because he had been worried about her, but he was not sure if she had followed through on the will also. She never mentioned having one finalized. He could only shake his head in the end. “I am not sure.”

  “You might want to find out,” Myles said. He shook his head sadly. “I’ve seen this too many times before. Family members are hurting and scared, so they take it out on each other. Charlotte’s mother is going to fight you tooth and nail for Warren.”

  “I will not lose him,” Guy said. “Il est mon fils.”

  Myles sighed. “I know you think of him as your son, but it may not be up to you. You’re not his blood. They are. Unless Charlotte put it down in writing, it won’t be easy to win.”

  Chapter 30

  Protéger son Dieu

  Watching as Warren played a game of cards with his grandmother, Guy smiled. The game had momentarily pulled Warren out of his worry and let him be a little boy again. Even Mrs. Martin was smiling, but Guy knew nothing had changed with her. She despised his presence, hated that he was responsible for both her daughter and grandson. Warren had refused to go anywhere with them that took him out of sight of Guy.

  It had been a long morning of waiting and fear. Turning, Guy peered in the window of Charlotte’s room. They only allowed them to enter for brief periods. Guy had not argued when Charlotte’s parents took the first two opportunities. They each sat with her, one at a time, and spoke to her fevered body. Guy had hoped for some improvement when he finally went in, but her fever was still raging. Myles had upped her dosage of antibiotics, but they both feared it was not going to be enough. Neither one wanted to risk damaging her kidneys and reducing what little they were still doing, but they could not leave Charlotte to fight on her own much longer. She was not winning.

  Guy startled when Vance threw an arm around his shoulder. He nodded to his friend, but had difficulty speaking. Vance pulled him in a little tighter. “Any changes?”

  “No, nothing yet.”

  “What does Myles have to say?”

  “Wait, for now. There are too many risks, too many unknowns.”

  Guy leaned more heavily against the wall. She looked so frail lying there. He wanted her to open her eyes, but doubted she would. Charlotte’s fever was too high. Her body was focused on battling the infection, and it could do that better if she remained asleep. Guy tried to tell himself it was good that she was not awake, but it was torture watching her lie there motionless. He wanted to talk to her, tell her everything was going to be all right. Instead, he could only watch and wait.

  Patience was not easy for him, but for Charlotte’s mother it was even worse. He knew she was scared, and much of her hostility stemmed from that fear, but he struggled when she became upset that more was not being done. Did she not understand that Guy wanted so badly to hear Charlotte’s beautiful voice? See her bright eyes? He wanted her to wake up. He hated looking in at her and desperately searching to make sure her chest was still rising and falling. He was terrified he would never speak to her again. Never say goodbye, if it came to that. Everyone was doing everything they could.

  “Vance, can you do something for me?”

  Nodding, Vance said, “Whatever you need, man.”

  Guy dug his keys out of his pocket and handed them to Vance. “Charlotte keeps all her legal documents in the top drawer of the file cabinet by her desk. I need you to…I need to know if she made a will. If she did, it will hopefully be in the folder from her lawyer.”

  Cringing, Vance glanced back at Charlotte’s parents. It was difficult not to notice how Mrs. Martin treated Guy. His friends had been in and out of the hospital all that day to check on them and see what they could do. Everyone had commented on the iciness she showed him.

  “If nothing else,” Guy said, “can you at least find the name of her lawyer? It will be on the documents in the file. I cannot remember his name, but I can call him and ask if you cannot find anything.”

  “Will he be able to tell you anything?” Vance asked.

  Guy nodded. “Charlotte gave me full power of attorney should she be incapacitated, not just for medical decisions.”

  Vance sighed in relief. “I’ll find it. I’ve got a patient upstairs I need to check in on, but I’ll head over right after. I’ll call as soon as I can.”

  “Merci, Vance.”

  Hugging his friend roughly, Vance nodded before continuing on his way. It was not easy for Guy to turn away from Charlotte, but he was too tired to keep standing there. He wandered over to the chairs that had been drug from the waiting room to allow them to sit near Charlotte’s room. Guy did not attempt sitting near Charlotte’s mother, even though Warren was with her. Instead, he dropped into a chair next to Mr. Martin, who patted his arm comfortingly. Guy smiled, glad at least one of Charlotte’s parents did not hate him. He did wonder, though, if that would change depending on what happened over the next few days.

  Guy was half asleep when Warren jumped up onto his lap. He immediately laid his head against Guy’s chest and wrapped his arms around his neck. It was automatic for him to do the same. Guy cradled Warren in his arms, kissing the top of his head before resting his own head against Warren’s. A rustle of clothing lifted Guy’s eyelids halfway. Charlotte’s mother had moved into the seat next to him, no doubt to keep an eye on Guy. He almost closed his eyes again just to escape her, but Warren’s words stopped him.

  “
I love you, Papa Guy. Don’t…” A yawn broke up his words momentarily. “…let me go while I take a nap, okay?”

  Without looking away from Charlotte’s mother, Guy said, “I promise.”

  Guy had not meant the words as a challenge to her, and for once, she seemed to recognize that. His only desire was to protect the boy. Despite his frustration with them, Guy knew Charlotte’s parents were good and kind people. Charlotte and Warren loved them very much. It was not just his own selfishness that made him think it would be better for Warren to remain in Chicago if…if the need arose. Warren had already lost one parent. If he lost another, leaving everything he knew would tear him apart.

  Slowly, Mrs. Martin nodded to Guy and looked away. He knew their battle was not over, but she would respect Warren’s wishes in this one thing. Guy closed his eyes again and let himself fall asleep with Warren without fear that his grandparents would run off with him. It was far from a restful sleep. Nightmares of losing Charlotte were impossible to escape.

  ***

  Images flitted back and forth in Guy’s mind as he struggled to wake himself. “Ne me quitte pas,” he mumbled as he struggled. “Ne me quitte pas.” Charlotte kept slipping away from him, no matter how hard he tried to hold onto her. “Ne me quitte pas, Charlotte,” he begged.

  “He’s telling Mommy not to leave him,” Warren’s voice said, cutting through the dream-haze Guy was fighting.

  “You know what he’s saying?” Charlotte’s mother asked him.

  Her voice was enough to cut away the last few strands of the dream clinging to him. He jerked up in his chair as he came fully awake. Warren grabbed a handful of his shirt to keep from falling off his lap, but otherwise kept his attention on his grandmother.

  “Sure, Papa Guy teaches me lots of French words. He teaches Lily, too, and her mom, but Miss Carmody isn’t very good at French. She can’t make the right sounds and she forgets words.”