Bryce slumped over, his head landing on the soft rug next to the bed. In a panic, Tyler swept him up and moved as fast as he could to his fathers room. Karly? He made sure to keep his voice calm and quiet.
Im right here. She stepped out of the master bathroom. Her eyes went a bit wider when she saw Bryce in his arms.
Rushing to her, he met her in the middle of the room. He was playing. Then, without any warning, he just fell over.
Long, graceful fingers gently pushed the fine wisp of hair that had fallen across her sons forehead. The smile and soft chuckle from Karly eased his pounding heart. It couldnt be anything dangerous if she was happy. When she raised her warm eyes to look at him, his breath stopped somewhere around his heart.
He had seen more beautiful women than he could count, but something about Karly Kalakona made the world stand still. Not good. His world needed to keep moving.
He swallowed and looked down at the tiny being in his arms. He had been around a great deal of children, many of them sick, some even dying, but hed never actually held them so close. Hes okay?
Yeah, he does this when he doesnt get his nap. She shrugged, then leaned in to kiss the small forehead. With the packing, driving in the storm, the excitement of the plane and meeting you, then a new house and a room of his own, he just crashed once he sat still for a minute. Her hand went to his lower arm. I shouldve thought of it before he passed out. Do you want me to take him?
No, Ive got him. Ill take him back to his room. Making his way down the hall, he sensed Karly close behind him.
Are you sure its all right for us to be
in these rooms?
He nodded to the bed. Like I said earlier, I havent slept in here for years. Turn down the quilt, and we can tuck him in.
After laying Bryce down, Tyler took a step back, allowing Karly to settle her little man in a bed that looked too big for him.
Turning away from the mother/son moment, he left.
He had to shut off the memories of his sister climbing into his bed while their mother read to them, and sometimes their dad would join them. Every night ended with prayers. He shook his head, clearing out his thoughts. He was such a loser, going down that road. It was a dead end.
Tyler? Karly? Johns voice called out from the laundry room.
Tyler moved to the kitchen area. Were here. Putting Bryce to bed. His father was home. Remember, Tyler Childress, nothing is worth upsetting the old man over. He might need Gods help with this one, not that he expected any break from that quarter. Some habits were just hard to kill.
He took a breath and looked behind John. Wheres Dad?
John ran his fingers through his hair. His usual open expression was closed and clouded with something Tyler couldnt read.
Tyler, this is not going to be easy, but I need you to stay calm and not start any fights.
Stepping into the garage, he saw a frail man struggling to get out of the SUV and leaning heavily on the door. That could not be his tall, robust father.
Dub, I asked you to wait until I got help. Johns easygoing voice sounded exasperated.
I. Am. Not a...kid.
Tyler heard some other words mumbled, but he couldnt make them out.
Dad? That man could not be his father.
He had been on an international flight when Maggie, their neighbor, had called him with the news. Shed told him it was only a small stroke. When his father had gotten on the phone, he hadnt even wanted Tyler to come home. He had sounded almost normal during that conversation. Is everything okay? Has something else happened?
Dub grunted and John sighed. When he gets tired, its harder for him to speak or move. John gave Dub a pointed look. Its been a long day, and arguing about everything doesnt help. Rest, Dub, you need to rest.
Turning away from Dub, John pointed to the back of the ranch vehicle. Tyler, theres a wheelchair in the back. Can you get it out?
Sure. He moved without much thought, the cold concrete on his bare feet keeping him in the present. This weak man could not be his strong, hearty, stubborn father. Was he worse than he had been led to believe? Was he going to die sooner rather than later? He had been told his mom had a year. A year that turned into three months.
He glanced over the backseat as he pulled out the wheelchair. What if his dad didnt get better? Thunder rumbled in the distance, the storm passing on to the east.
Whats...all the...mud?
Sorry, Dad. Ill clean it up. Karlys car got stuck. I helped her out. I took off my boots before I went in, so I didnt track mud in the house. Ill get her car washed and the floor cleaned. He wasnt a twelve-year-old anymore, so why did he start acting like one around his father?
Karly is... Shes...shes a good girl. Dub made some growling noises. Be...be nice.
The subject of the conversation appeared in the doorway. Miss Sunshine herself.
Welcome home, Mr. Childress. She glanced around the garage, appearing nervous.
This wasnt going to work outthey needed a professional nurse if they were going to get his father healthy again.