Blame it on the Stars (The Blame Game)
Page 26
Craig ignored the comment and glanced at Steve. He said to Catlin, “What’s he doing here?”
“Taking care of me.”
Craig snorted. “Lucky you.”
“I don’t think you want to come in here starting trouble.” Steve placed a hand on Catlin’s shoulder.
She squeezed Steve’s hand, and looked at Craig. “No, you really don’t. Now is not the time.”
Craig scratched his forehead. He had an uncomfortable look on his face.
Steve said, “Come on in. I know you and Catlin have a lot to discuss.”
Craig nodded. “Yes, we do. So if you’d excuse us...”
“Steve’s not going anywhere,” Catlin told him “I have a concussion, and I don’t need you messing with my mind.”
“Catlin.” Craig looked at her. “I have no intention of doing that. You don’t know how freaked out I am over this whole thing.”
“Oh, I’m sure you are,” she agreed. “You’re probably more upset about losing Nick than I am. I found out yesterday the two of you were a lot closer than anyone knew.”
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again and looked at her. “Do we really have to do this with him here?”
Steve had been standing next to her. Catlin tugged at his hand. “Sit down.”
He dropped to the edge of the bed.
She looked at Craig. “I’m not doing anything without him anymore. You wanted to drive us apart? Well, Nick drove us back together as he was taking my car over the cliff.”
Craig raised his voice. “Are you really the cold, heartless bitch that you sound like right now? If you are, then I never really knew you.”
Steve’s hand tensed and Catlin squeezed it. “I think you’re right, Craig. You don’t know me. If you did, you and Nick would have been honest with me. I would have been thrilled to have Chris, and everybody would be living happy lives right now. But, no, I didn’t get honesty. Just manipulation and back-stabbing.”
“That’s enough!” Craig said angrily. “Nick is dead! Don’t you think that’s punishment enough for whatever sins you think we committed?”
Catlin looked at him quietly. “Yeah, I suppose it is. And I’m sorry as hell for what happened to Nick. You know I didn’t want things to work out this way. I’ve been planning a life with Nick the whole time you were away, because he led me to believe that was going to happen. And then yesterday he sprung it on me that he never intended to be with me. He just wanted the cover of a wife and baby to take the pressure off you two.”
Craig spoke in a calmer voice. “We may have made some mistakes. But he didn’t deserve this.”
“Who said he did? I didn’t kill him. It was an accident. Shit happens, remember? But you know what? What the two of you did to me was no accident. So don’t expect me to forgive you— or trust you— anytime soon. You almost ruined my life. “
Craig looked at Steve, sitting next to Catlin on her bed. “It doesn’t look like your life is ruined.”
“Only because I was lucky enough to find a man who truly loves me. He cares about me. He would never use me the vindictive way that Nick did.” She looked at Steve, and clutched his hand, pulling both their hands to her heart. “And I’m lucky that he’s taking me back. I never stopped loving him for one minute.”
Steve smiled at her, and put his other arm around her. He kissed the side of her head.
Craig turned away, and paced over to the window. He looked out for a moment, and turned back to them. “How is Chris?”
Steve replied, “Better. He’s getting by, anyway. He’d probably like to spend some time with you.”
“Where is he?”
“At Steve’s house,” Catlin answered.
Craig rolled his eyes. “Of course.”
She told him, “You are welcome.... to find a hotel.”
Steve looked at her and whispered, “He can stay with us if you want him to.”
She shook her head.
Craig said, “A hotel is fine. I’m smoking like a chimney. I’ll be better off there. But I think Chris should be with me.”
“Not a chance,” she replied without a moment’s hesitation. “He’s fine where he is. You can visit him there.”
Craig looked at her. He turned back to the window, and stared out for another minute. Finally he asked, “What have you done about funeral arrangements?”
Steve spoke up. “They’re holding his body in the morgue until someone makes arrangements. There’s one other thing, Craig. Reporters are starting to swarm the hospital phones. I think we should put out a press release saying what happened, and that his wife and child survived. Do you want to work with me on the wording?”
Craig faced Steve. “Yeah, thanks.” He looked at his sister. “What do you want to do about a funeral?”
“If it was just me, I’d say I didn’t care. But I think we should have something for Chris.”
“In Kansas City?” he asked.
Steve said, “Catlin can’t travel. And Chris isn’t going anywhere without her.”
Craig thought about it. “I suppose we could have a funeral here and a memorial service later in the city. I think his parents will want to take care of the burial.”
Catlin waved her hand. “Let them. I don’t care.”
Craig said, “They’ll be here tomorrow. They’re going to want to talk to you.”
“Oh, Jesus.” Catlin looked at Steve. “His mother is a real piece of work. Not to mention the fact that she hates me. I haven’t seen her in ten years.”
Steve looked at Craig. “How does she feel about you?”
“She’s always liked me.” Craig shrugged.
Catlin replied snottily, “I bet she wouldn’t if she knew the truth about you and her precious son.”
Craig grimaced. “Catlin, what good would that do? Please don’t.”
She waved her hand again. “I’m not going to tell her.”
Steve sighed. “Can you just handle them, please? Catlin needs to avoid stress, and I really don’t think she’s going to be able to go to a funeral.”
Craig nodded. “I’ll take care of the Prescott’s.”
“Thank you,” Steve said.
Catlin tugged at his hand. “My head is starting to pound. Could you please ask the nurse for something?”
“Sure.” He put a tender kiss on her forehead before he stood up, and went out to the nurse’s station.
Craig looked at her. “I’m sorry for everything, you know.”
She gave a small nod. “I’m sorry about Nick. It was a stupid, stupid accident.”
Craig looked out the window again. “I can’t believe he’s really gone.” His shoulders started to shake.
Catlin woke up alone. She rang for the nurse. It was dark, but she couldn’t tell what time it was. Nancy, the evening shift nurse, returned.
“Hi, how’s the head?”
“Better.” Catlin nodded “What time is it?”
“Seven-thirty. Are you hungry? I can get your dinner.”
“I guess.” Catlin looked around.
Nancy smiled. “He said he’d be back.”
Catlin nodded. “Thanks.”
She was finishing up her dinner when Steve returned, Chris in tow.
“Hey!” She pushed her tray aside and held her arms out to her son. “I’m so glad to see you!”
“Mom!” Chris hugged her, and Steve helped him climb up to sit closer.
“Hello.” Steve smiled at her.
“Hello.” She pointed to her cheek.
Steve leaned down to kiss her and she turned her head quickly, so he kissed her lips instead.
“Gotcha,” she murmured.
“Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be,” he murmured back, and kissed her one more time. He pulled away, smiling. “Have a good nap?”
“Yes,” she replied. “My head feels much better.” She put her arms around Chris and hugged him to her. “How are you doing?”
He gazed up at her. “I’m fine. Teresa le
t me help her bake cookies.”
“Oh?” Catlin raised her eyebrows.
Steve commented, “That’s quite an honor. She usually doesn’t want anyone in her kitchen.”
“Did you bring me any?” Catlin teased her son.
“No, Steve and David ate them all.” He rolled his eyes.
Catlin gave Steve a questioning look.
He shrugged. “They were good.”
She frowned. “Yeah, so was the Jell-O I had to eat. Next time, bring cookies!”
Chris said, “I bet we can make some more tomorrow.”
“Well, okay.” Catlin ruffled his hair. “Is tomorrow Monday? What about school?”
Steve answered, “I told the kids they didn’t have to think about school for a few days. There’s a lot going on at the house.”
Catlin nodded “I suppose I should call Frank, and let him know I won’t be in for a few days.”
Steve shook his head. “I’ve talked to him, several times, actually. He knows you’re out for at least two weeks.”
She raised her eyebrows, and he nodded.
Catlin smiled then, and nodded back. She looked at Chris. “I’m so sorry about your dad, honey.”
He fought back tears as he nodded his head.
“It’s okay to cry,” she whispered in his ear. “I’ve been crying all day, myself.”
He buried his face in her chest and let it go. His little shoulders heaved with each sob, and Catlin thought her heart might break. “Oh, my sweetheart.” She rubbed one hand over his back. “I’m so sorry. It’s all going to be okay.” Tears were running down her cheeks again.
Steve stood up next to her, and put one hand on her head, and the other on Chris’s. They stayed that way for a few minutes, until the boy’s crying subsided. Steve reached for the tissues, and handed some to Catlin.
She dried her eyes, then Chris’s. “I know it’s hard to understand,” she told her son “But we believe that you dad is in a better place now.”
Chris rubbed at his face with the back of his hand. He nodded at her somberly. “Steve said dad’s in Heaven. He said it’s a happy place, and that dad is happy there now.”
“That’s right.”
“How can Dad be happy? He was happy when he was here. I don’t think he wanted to leave.”
Catlin put her hand on his cheek. “I know it’s hard to understand. Of course your dad didn’t want to leave, but people don’t get to make those decisions. God called him to Heaven, and it’s a very good place. Your dad will be happy there, and he can look down on you, and be so proud of you as you grow up.”
Chris had a strange look on his face. “Do you really think Dad’s in Heaven?”
“Yes, I really do. He was a good man, and good people go to Heaven.”
Chris looked down. “But what if...” he trailed off.
“What, sweetie?” she asked softly.
He hesitated. “I know he was a good man. But what if he did some bad things? Can he still go to Heaven?”
“Oh, Chris.” Catlin pulled him into her arms. She looked up at Steve.
Steve sat on the edge of the bed and spoke to them quietly. “Hey, nobody’s perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, and bad choices. But maybe that stuff is all weighed out in the end, you know, compared to everything good someone has done.” Steve moved his hands up and down like a scale. “And look at the good things your dad did. He raised you to be a great kid, didn’t he?”
Chris smiled shyly.
“And Chris, there’s one other thing he did that I haven’t told you. But I think you need to hear about it now. He saved your mom’s life after their car accident. He pulled her out of the car just in time, because there was a fire and with the gas in the car... well, the car blew up.”
Chris’s eyes grew wide. “It did?”
“Yeah.” Steve shook his head. “I loved that car. But it can be replaced. Your mom, on the other hand, is irreplaceable.”
She was crying again.
Chris looked at her, too. “I’m so glad he pulled you out.”
She could only nod her head in agreement.
Steve went on, “I am too. For that I will always be extremely grateful to your dad.”
Chris nodded, and yawned. “Maybe Dad is in Heaven.” He laid his head on his mother’s shoulder. In just a few minutes, he was asleep.
Steve wiped the last of the tears from Catlin’s face.
“Thank you.” She leaned against him, and put her head on his shoulder. “Thanks for being so nice to him.”
“He’s going to be part of my family.”
“He lied to you, you know. That weekend I spent in Kansas City. Nothing happened with me and Nick.”
“I know. I should have believed you then, but it was too raw. I was a mess.”
“You needed closure with Barbara before we could be together. I understand that now.”
“Hindsight, again.” He sighed and leaned against her.
“Yep.” Catlin remained still for a while, but had to say one last thing on her mind. “I just need to be sure. Now that you know Chris lied to you that day, are we going to be okay? Can we get past that?
He kissed her temple. “We already have. I love you, Catlin. And because of that, I’ll love your son. It’s what a dad should do.”
“You’re a good dad. My kids are as lucky as I am.”
He chuckled. “I hope you always feel that way.”
Catlin laughed, and then remembered one more thing she wanted to ask him. “What’s going on at the house?”
“Hmm?”
“You’re keeping the kids home from school because there’s a lot going on at the house.”
He kissed her earlobe. “Well, since the hospital wouldn’t let the reporters stay here, they have camped out in my yard. I guess they’ve seen me come and go, and there’s no sign of activity at your house, so they’ve designated me as the one to pester.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s no big deal.” He shrugged. “I’m certainly used to dealing with reporters. This isn’t going to be much of a story for long. There’s just not enough drama in it for them.”
“Oh, if they only knew.” She smiled.
He laughed. “Be glad they don’t. I think they’ll be gone in a couple days. Especially once the funeral is over.”
“I’m going to think about that tomorrow. Can we not talk about it tonight, please?”
“What do you want to talk about?” His face was inches from hers.
“Who says I want to talk?” She puckered up and he kissed her. “Much better.” She sighed. “Kissing you doesn’t make my head hurt.”
“Let’s hope not.” He chuckled, and they kissed again.
Chris stirred, and opened his eyes. “Can I go swimming?”
Catlin blinked. “Well not tonight. Maybe this summer.”
He held his arms out to Steve, who reached across Catlin to take the boy. Chris snuggled up on Steve’s lap with his head on his shoulder. He reached for Catlin’s hand and held it, then fell back asleep.
“Well, look at that,” she murmured. Her son was nestled in the crook of Steve’s arm, resting peacefully. “What a beautiful sight.”
Steve smiled at her, but since he couldn’t reach her to kiss her now, he kissed the back of her hand.
She whispered, “I wonder where the swimming business came from?”
“We were in the backyard tonight. He’s pretty excited to have his own pool.”
She gave him a look. “Since when is it his pool? He doesn’t live there.”
“Well, I just assumed...”
“You know what they say about assuming,” Catlin teased.
“Yes. Are you going to give me a hard time about absolutely everything I do?”
“I just don’t want to make promises to him we can’t keep.”
“Oh, we can keep this one.” Steve shifted the boy so he could reach Catlin. “I’ll be more upset than him if you’re making promises you can’t keep.”
He kissed her cheek. “I didn’t bring it up.”
“I know.” She sighed. “Can we go back to not talking?”
“Come here then. I could kiss you all night long.”
They were kissing again the next morning when the door opened, and Drs. Jonas and Marcus arrived.
“Rest, I said rest,” Dr. Marcus bemoaned loudly.
Steve and Catlin separated. She smiled at the doctor. “This is the most restful thing I can imagine.”
He rolled his eyes at Dr. Jonas, and Steve got out of their way. They examined Catlin, and Dr. Jonas said, “The baby’s readings look fine. Maybe, while you’re so rested, we should get you up to walk again.”
“Now?”
He nodded. “Let’s do it while you have so many people here to look out for you.” He unhooked the baby monitor from her stomach, and turned to Steve. “You want to help her stand up? She might be a little shaky on her feet.”
Steve nodded. “Yes, I do. Come here, you.” He helped her to her feet, and she leaned on him. She walked around the room, with one hand on his arm. She stopped in the bathroom to look in the mirror.
“Yikes.” She grimaced at her reflection, and pointed to the big bandage across her forehead. “What have I got going on under here?”
Dr. Marcus smiled. “Oh, it’s kind of a Frankenstein lightning bolt thing. It’s a good look for you.”
She chuckled. “Great, thanks.”
“Just kidding. I don’t know what you hit your head on, but it’s a long, jagged cut. The surgeon did a remarkable job. You shouldn’t be able to see it after a while. If you can, a little plastic surgery down the line should take care of it.”
“Okay, thanks. Can I use the bathroom while I’m up?”
“Sure,” Dr. Marcus said. “Want me to get Margie?”
“Nah.” She clutched Steve’s arm. “We’ll be fine.”
She dragged him into the bathroom with her.
Dr. Jonas called, “We’re not staying out here all day, so hurry up in there.”
“Keep your pants on!” she hollered back.