Page 44 of The Candle Palace (Jamison Valley 6)
But she lived for Denny.
“I’ll call you later,” she said, ducking her head to follow Denny into the opening elevator.
“Can I escort you down?” Dr. Vernon asked her.
“No, thank you, Greg.” She held up her hand to stop him. “It was nice to meet you.”
“I have your number.”
She nodded, recovering slightly to smile. “Call me. Anytime. I’d like that.”
Denny didn’t look up from the elevator floor as the doors closed. When it was gone, the awkwardness returned to the hallway. This time, heavier.
I wasn’t sure where to look, at either Dr. Vernon or at Milo, so I kept my eyes on the floor. Denny had been on something; all three of us knew it. The smell of booze and smoke and bad choices stunk up the hallway.
Dr. Vernon spoke first. “Milo, you’d better get back to your room. Doctor’s orders.”
I could feel Milo’s gaze on my face but I refused to look up from my feet. If I did, I’d want to go to him. I’d want to feel his arms around me as I buried my face into his chest.
But he was still hurting. And Dr. Vernon was watching.
Without a word, Milo turned and retreated to his room, the squeak of his walker fading with each ambled step.
“Your mom is lovely,” Dr. Vernon said when we were alone.
I nodded. “She is a beautiful woman.”
“You both are.”
What a pig. “Excuse me.”
I practically ran from his side, going to the women’s locker room, where he couldn’t follow. When the door closed behind me, I sucked in a deep breath and sat on the wooden bench in the center of the room.
What was I going to do about Denny? What would Dad do?
I didn’t know my brother. I wanted to, but I didn’t. We’d spent too many years apart. If I asked him to go to rehab, he’d laugh in my face. And I doubted Mom would have better luck.
But we had to try. For Dad, I had to try. He wouldn’t have wanted this life for Denny.
I took a few minutes alone to compose myself. When I emerged from the locker room, I immediately checked on all of my patients, and when they were all taken care of, I went in search of Kym, finding her in the supply room.
“Did Dr. Vernon leave?” I asked her.
“About two minutes ago. You just missed him. Did you need something?”
“No, but I need to go talk to Milo.”
“Go.” She waved me on. “I’ll cover for you.”
“Thanks.” I squeezed her shoulder as I walked by.
I went directly to Milo’s room, taking a deep breath before entering. I expected to find him in bed with the lights off, so I was surprised to see him standing next to the window, the curtains open and light streaming inside the room.
He glanced over his shoulder, saw it was me, then turned back to the view of the parking lot and downtown cityscape in the distance.
“Are you okay?” I asked, walking to his side.
“Yeah.” He nodded. “You?”
