Chapter 32

Later, after they’d showered and changed into warm-ups, they settled down in the den with glasses of wine.

“Are you okay, babe?” Brian said.

“No, but I will be. I keep thinking of Pop lying in that hospital bed hooked up to all those machines. I should never have gone into that room—that image is going to haunt me for a long time.”

Brian’s cell phone rang, and he looked at the display, then answered the phone. “Hi, Mom. … Yeah, we’re home. … Surviving. How did you think he’d feel? Sorry, I didn’t mean to be flip, it’s just that this has hit us like a ton of bricks. … No, we don’t need any food, the fridge and the pantry are well stocked. … I’ll tell him you said so, and Mom, tell Dad that I’ll probably take tomorrow off to stay with Brody. … Thanks. Bye.”

Brian looked at Brody. “Mom sends you her best.”

Brody’s cell phone rang. “Looks like it’s my turn.” He glanced at the display. “It’s Sheldon. I’ll turn the speaker on for your benefit.”