Backstage Pass: V.I.P. Read Online Free Page B

topic change, Mom latched onto it. “They say he can go to a regular room in the morning if everything still looks good, then they’ll keep him for a day or two.”
     
    Dad raised his arm and searched for my hand. “How long are you staying?”
     
    I settled my palm into his still-strong one. “As long as we need.”
     
    “What about school?”
     
    “It’s fine, Daddy.”
     
    His eyelids drooped and the rise and fall of his chest quickened. For all tough-guy act he was portraying, he seemed tired.
     
    Mom waved me toward the door. I nodded and kissed Dad’s cheek. “I’ll let you rest, but we’ll be here for a while.”
     
    His eyes stayed closed, but he nodded. “Love you, honey.”
     
    Tears burned the backs of my eyes. “Love you most, Daddy.”
     
    I gently squeezed his hand and he released his grip. Jesse handed me my crutches and I followed Mom out of the room. We walked silently to the waiting room, my crutches squealing and squeaking the entire length of the hall. Kerri and Axel jumped up and Kerri raced to hug my mom.
     
    “Oh good! I hoped you’d come with her,” Mom said into Kerri’s hair.
     
    Kerri kissed Mom’s cheek and gripped her shoulders. “Everything okay?”
     
    “It will be.” She smiled and hugged Kerri again before stepping toward Axel. “And you’ve brought your own boy with you?”
     
    Axel repeated the posturing from the hospital room, throwing his shoulders back and standing up straighter and taller than I’d ever seen. They seriously looked like soldiers ready to charge into battle and defend our honor. He held out his hand and engulfed mom’s tiny pink one in his. “Axel, ma’am.”
     
    She smiled and shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
     
    Against Axel’s size and breadth, she looked even tinier and I noticed for the first time the strain around her eyes, and the gaunt pull of her skin across her cheekbones. I stepped closer. “Have you eaten?”
     
    Axel faded into the background, taking Kerri and Jesse with him. Mom lifted her fingers to her chin, pondering my question. “Maybe yesterday sometime.”
     
    “Do you want us to go grab something?”
     
    “I don’t want to leave.” She glanced back toward Dad’s room.
     
    “How about the cafeteria?” I glanced at my trio. “These guys can stay here and call me if we need to rush back. Then you can eat but we’ll be close.”
     
    Her shoulders sagged in relief. “I’d like that.”
     
    I turned to Jesse. “Is that okay?”
     
    He smiled and stepped closer, kissing my cheek. “Of course. Everything will be fine.”
     
    I smiled in thanks and Mom and I headed toward the bowels of the hospital for the cafeteria, my crutches once again squeaking out our progress.
     
    ***
     
    The cafeteria food wasn’t as awful as I’d imagined. Mom found a salad and they actually had a waffle maker, so I built myself a wicked Belgian, which made Mom smile. And made me forget that we were in the basement of a hospital, at least for the moment.
     
    On the way down, I’d caught her up on my foot and Jesse and she reserved judgment on both.
     
    We settled in a small booth in a far corner even though the cafeteria was mostly empty. Tall glass windows opened to a well-tended atrium, lending a glow of moonlight and snow.
     
    She stabbed a forkful of lettuce and chewed, swallowing on a sigh. “Gosh, I think I am hungry.”
     
    I gave her a weak smile and twirled the end of my fork in an extra deep puddle of syrup.
     
    She took another bite and tapped my plate with her fork. “What’s up?”
     
    “Huh?” I jerked my gaze to hers and tried to smile.
     
    “He’ll be fine, Sash. But I’m glad you came.” She reached across the table and patted my hand. I flipped it over and squeezed hers.
     
    “I saw Dad.”
     
    It took her only a few seconds to realize I wasn’t talking about the guy upstairs. Her fingers clutched mine and then she composed herself, leaned back, and stabbed a cherry