Page 89 of Broken Rules
“Yes, and you'd know if you took a minute away from this place to actually care about what's happening beyond the mill. How unhappy I was here, how much I don't want to take over when you retire and end up like you, miserable with no one wanting me around.”
“This place,” he chuckles, shaking his head. “All I hear are excuses for why you’d rather have life easy. That’s what’s the matter with your generation. Hard work kept a roof over your head, a nice fucking roof.” He pushes me back by my shoulder. “You want to live paycheck to paycheck like before, then go ahead, leave, but don’t expect a place here when times get rough—”
There‘s cracking with a pop in the distance, Kevin yelling for everyone to get back while the tree Dad was felling tips toward the area we’re standing. My heart leaps while urging Dad to move away when he doesn't, and he’s gripping his shoulder when I pull him far enough to where the tree top misses us.
He’s gritting his teeth, falling on his knee while hunched over. “Dad—fuck,” I huff, looking around as he groans. “Bones, call an ambulance!”
* * *
The ride to the hospital is one big blur, hours spent in the waiting room because Dad didn’t want me with him, and now I’m watching him struggle to catch his breath with oxygen, still stubborn, saying he doesn’t need the assistance even in his fatigued state, clear as day he does. My jaw sets tight as I lean against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest, and I sigh.
“If you’re gonna continue to throw a tantrum…get the hell out of my room,” he grumbles, and I huff a laugh.
“You’re gonna deal with me because I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yeah, of course, you ain‘t. You’re stubborn, just like your pops.”
A slight smirk pulls at his lips but doesn’t stay long when Mom comes rushing into the room with a large overnight bag on her shoulder, her short dark auburn hair clipped back, wearing a tiny apron around her waist, which I’m sure she hasn’t realized she’s still wearing. Dad looks at me wide-eyed with hisI told you not to call herstare.
“Thomas. Oh, I told you so many times you’re going to kill yourself out in that field!” She places the bag on the floor by the bed, then turns toward me to kiss my cheek. “Hi, honey. How are you? Feels like I haven’t seen you in months. Are you hungry?”
“Hey, Ma. I’m Alright.” I walk toward the chair and slide it closer to Dad. “Come take a seat. He needs a good earful.”
And she does, Dad staring at the ceiling while she unpacks the dinner she was preparing in several Tupperware containers, placing them on his bedside table. “Lucy, I hear you, darlin’…and I love you, but please. I just need a minute.”
Mom sighs, holding his hand covered with an IV, and kisses the back. As much as Dad and I butt heads, not seeing eye to eye with a lot of shit, I’ve always admired the love he shares with his wife—why I’ve strived for the same and haven’t stopped until I finally found it. And just like that, I look at the doorway, and my heart sores when I see her. My beautiful wife, standing wary, with her hands clasped in front of her.
After stewing in that waiting room, I called Evie because I needed to hear her voice since I couldn’t stop blaming myself. I called my mother because Dad needed to listen to hers, then Kylo to tell him I couldn’t make it tonight, and I’m sorry. The fact that Evie came straight here makes my heart feel even fuller. I walk toward her, and she looks small like she’s afraid.
“Hey.”
“Is your dad okay?” she whispers. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, baby. Come inside. I’d like you to meet my parents.” Evie doesn’t budge when I take hold of her hand and look back at her. “If this is too much, you don’t—”
“No…” She licks her lips, and I gently squeeze her hand as we walk inside.
Neither of my parents turns our way until I clear my throat, wrapping my arm around Evie’s waist, and Mom perks up. “Oh—who’s this?” She asks with a smile, standing to walk toward us, and Dad cannot look away.
“Mom, Dad, this is Evie. My wife.”
“Your…what?” Mom gets teary-eyed, looking between Dad and Evie while holding her hand over her mouth.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Evie says, her voice still low and shy, which is a side of her I’ve yet to meet. I wish I’d introduced Evie sooner to make this moment less uncomfortable for her, but I’ve enjoyed having her to myself.
Mom takes hold of her hand, looking at the ring, then draws Evie in for a quick hug, holding her at arm’s length. “Wow, today’s full of surprises. I’m so happy to meet you, Evie.”
She smiles. “Me too.”
“You should’ve said something sooner,” Dad chimes in, his breathing much better since Mom arrived. “Instead of lying to me. You should’ve talked to me like an adult.”
My shoulders dip as I breathe out a deep sigh. “Yeah, it’s hard to get through to you with your head thicker than a log. Even the sharpest blade won’t get through to you.”
Dad huffs, shaking his head. “Goes both ways, Son—”
“Enough of this bickering.” Mom turns to speak into Evie’s ear, and she nods. “We’re going to grab a coffee. When we return, I want this room to be civil. Got it?”
I smirk when Evie raises her brows, pressing her lips together to hold back her smile—she’s enjoying this. Once Dad and I are alone, the room falls silent except for the humming of machines by the bed.
