Some Things, page 15
“Nancy, I can’t explain to you how much that means to me and, I’m sure, Gia. She’ll be so grateful you’re there. Oh, Nancy, the other line is ringing, and I think it’s the hospital. I’ll give you a call back.”
I heard Nancy begin to say something, but Dustin ended the call and accepted the other one.
“Dustin Springer.”
“Hello, Mr. Springer? This is Dr. Parker from Coast Crest General. Do you have a moment to speak with me?”
“Yes, of course, Doctor.”
“We have Ms. Giovanna Novak here, and she’s told us you are the one to call. She’s in good spirits, so that’s good. It seems she hit her head after losing her balance in the kitchen. She had another fall earlier this week, and her knees were a little sore and not working correctly. She took a bit of a dive while trying to get herself some breakfast. She’s hit her head and was unconscious for a time. We’re unsure how long but when she came to, she was disoriented, and her neighbor found her. She does have a concussion and some bruising. We’re going to keep her overnight for some observation. Do you have any questions for me?”
“Does she remember everything? I mean, is there any permanent damage to her brain or memory or anything like that?”
“As far as we can tell right now, no. But that’s something we will be monitoring.”
“And you said she’s in good spirits? She’s talking and is aware?”
“Yes. She has a bit of a headache and is resting, but for the most part, she’s been doing beautifully.”
“There is a family friend, Nancy, who's there at the hospital. Is she able to visit with Gia? Can she be let into the room with her? I’m not able to be there right now, but hopefully you can let Nancy in?”
“We have spoken to Nancy but needed your permission first. If you’re ok with Nancy being with Gia, then we can make arrangements for her to be let into Gia’s room.”
“Yes, please. Thank you.”
“Not a problem. I’ll let the nurses know. We’ll keep you updated, Mr. Springer. Thank you for your time.”
“Thank you, Dr. Parker.”
Dustin hung up and once again took a deep breath. I felt so sorry for him. Here he was helping me out, something he absolutely did not need to do, and everything else seemed to be falling apart. He couldn’t do anything from his truck but listen and manage. That had to be hard.
Unless…
“Hey… um… We’re not too far from Monterey. Did you want to pick up the post and then drive over to Monterey? You can see Gia and Bella and make sure things are ok with your own eyes,” I offered hoping he would take me up on it.
“You’d really be willing to do that? It isn’t on the way at all.”
“I know. But I think it’s what’s needed. I’ll cancel our reservations and find someplace near Monterey. Sound good?” I was already pulling out my phone before he could answer.
“Thanks, Briar. That’d be great.”
I got to work on my phone looking for places to stay near the hospital. It took less than twenty minutes to cancel our existing reservations and book new rooms at a place in Monterey.
“All done.” I locked my phone and smiled in Dustin’s direction.
“That was impressive.”
“Yes, so impressive with the internet on my phone,” I said sarcastically.
Dustin laughed and said, “But you did it so efficiently so hats off to you. Just take the compliment and say thank you.”
“Thank you.”
“There. Was that so hard?”
“That’s what she said.” I gave Dustin a look that said, “I couldn’t resist.”
He shook his head at me as we continued to drive towards our destination.
Chapter thirty
Dustin
Icouldn’t put into words the amount of relief I felt when Briar suggested we go to Monterey. I was hoping we’d be able to go and was about to bring it up, but she beat me to it which I was grateful for. This was a trip for her, and I had wanted it to be relaxing and fun. I hated that my drama was coming into it but there was nothing more I could do. I wasn’t going to apologize for having people I cared about.
Nor did I think she wanted me to.
I hadn’t heard back from Bells for the time being. I was hoping she didn’t get that text until after her game. I didn’t want to alarm her. She could yell at me later, but I didn’t want to make her worry for no good reason.
But first, we needed to get the post for Briar. It was what we came on this trip to do and that was what needed to happen first and foremost. Gia was well taken care of in the hospital. They would call me if they needed me. But I needed to trade a post.
The drive continued smoothly with hardly any traffic. With my cruise control on, we’d been going a steady 80mph and would be at the Rhuland’s place soon.
“Are you getting excited?” I asked Briar as I looked at the GPS and noticed we were a few miles away from our exit.
“I’m getting a whole bunch of things. But mainly disbelief. This can’t be real, but I know it is at the same time.” Her hands were talking with her and going a mile a minute. I logged that trait in my brain, thinking it was one of the cutest things she did.
“People say that about me a lot.” I smirked as I said this.
Briar, in true smart-ass fashion, put her elbow on the center console and rested her chin on her hand. “Tell me more about what people say about you,” she requested condescendingly.
“Something tells me you’re mocking me.”
“Who… me? Never.” She sat back in her seat and twirled her hair.
“I’m always going to be able to count on you to put me in my place, huh?”
“Seems like it,” she said proudly.
I pulled off the freeway and followed the turns to the Rhuland’s house. It was another fifteen minutes before we pulled up a long dirt driveway, and Briar took a sharp breath in.
“Oh my gosh. I remember this place. I was only here once when I was little, maybe like five, but I totally remember this place.”
I pulled up alongside a GMC truck that was parked at an angle in front of the house. Putting my truck in park, we both looked out the windshield taking the place in. Before long, two of the happiest faces popped out of the front door. Millie and Ben stood on their porch, waving excitedly at us.
“Let’s go do this,” I said as I unbuckled my seat belt.
We hopped out of my truck and before I could get anything out, Briar was almost running to Millie, as they hugged in the middle of the driveway.
“Briar, right?” Millie said as they separated. “Oh, it’s so good to meet you! I’m so thrilled. When I heard your story and figured it all out, I was so happy we still had it.”
“You were so happy? You cannot believe how ecstatic I was. This truly is amazing how this happened.” Briar hugged Millie again as if they were old friends.
Ben walked over to me and put out his hand. “Hey there, Dustin, right? We don’t have to hug or anything. Unless you want to.”
“Maybe when we leave, how’s that?” I shook his hand, laughing at our interaction.
“How was the drive?” Ben asked.
“It was good. No traffic. We made great time.”
“Come on, guys. We don’t need to be out here talking right now.” Millie waved us over to her. “Briar wants to see the goods, and there’s no point putting it off.”
I could see Briar was grateful for this. I knew she didn’t want to be rude and was probably chomping at the bit to see the post.
“We have it in the back for you, all ready to go.” Ben pointed haphazardly and then put his hands in his pockets.
We followed Millie around the side of the house towards the backyard. “We had to take off the bird house, but that’ll go on the new one you guys brought. It’s laying right out here for you.”
Turning the corner, I saw the post lying on the ground. Without saying a word, Briar almost ran to it and bent down next to it. She put her hands up to her mouth in a stunned fashion, unaware of anyone else around—she was in her own world. She ran her hand along the post, fingering the grooves and making contact with it for the first time in years. My feet reached the end of it, and I watched her with a smile on my face. She looked up at me with joy spread across her face and tears in her eyes.
I looked over the post, and it was in good shape. Weathered but that was to be expected. There weren’t any major cracks or rot or bug infestations. It looked great. My eyes found the initials in the middle of the post and watched Briar’s fingertips run over it again and again. She followed the carvings, tracing each letter, finding some sort of peace as she finished each one.
I walked closer to her, not wanting her to be alone. I knew this was for her, but I wanted to be next to her, feel her somehow. And as if she could hear my thoughts, she stood up and grabbed hold of me, hugging me tightly. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I slowly pulled her towards me. She rested her head on my shoulder and didn’t move for what felt like eons. For that time, my body was eerily calm, like it had been missing something and once connected to it, could now function properly. I didn’t want to let her go.
She shifted her head so she was facing my neck and said, “I don’t think I can ever thank you enough for this.”
“You’ve thanked me plenty. Really.” I patted her back and played with her hair briefly. I squeezed once more before letting her go. Looking into her eyes, my heart jumped to my throat. I knew I’d passed the point of no return. I put my hands in my pockets, fearful of what I might do if they hung out by my sides anymore. I wanted so desperately to reach out to her again. “No more thanking me.”
“It’s funny to me that you think you can just say something, and I’ll follow along with it.” She patted me on the shoulder and then turned to admire the post once more.
It was going to be the sass I fall in love with.
“Is it how you remember it?” Millie asked, coming forward from where she and Ben were standing off to the side.
“Absolutely. It’s fantastic. Without knowing it, you’ve taken care of something so precious to me.”
Ben looked over at me and asked, “Do you want me to help you with the other post? We can get that fitted and get this one put in your truck.”
“Yeah, absolutely, man.” I was loving the fact that the Rhuland’s got down to business. I was worried we would have to sit around and chit-chat and all that, but Ben was my kind of guy. Getting things done right away.
We walked back to my truck, and he helped me with the new post. Untying it, we each grabbed an end and walked it into the back.
“And you want the birdhouse back on it, right?” I asked.
“Yeah, but you don’t have to do that.” Ben tried to stop me, but that would have been impossible.
“I’ve got my tools, and it’s not a problem at all. I’d feel better knowing it was all set in place when I left.”
“Well, I’m not going to argue with you. I’ll probably let it sit here for months, and Millie will get on me, so thanks.”
I got to work with Ben’s help putting the birdhouse on the top of the new post. Briar and Millie sat down on some deck chairs and watched the work while talking about who knew what. It only took us about thirty minutes to mount it and place the post back in the hole the old one came out of.
“You sure that’s going to be good like that? I feel like we need to put some concrete in there to stabilize it a little more,” I said as I patted down on the dirt surrounding the post.
“Oh, no, that’s why we’ve got this.” Ben walked over to the other side of the deck and grabbed an old tire. “This wraps around it and we put more dirt and fertilizer in there and plant some flowers.”
“Gotcha. That works a hell of a lot better. You got the fertilizer?”
“Yeah, out in the shed.” Ben pointed to the back of the lot.
Fifteen minutes later, the new post was secure and looked great.
“What do you think, honey?” Ben asked Millie.
“Looks like nothing ever happened,” Millie replied as she admired our work.
“Yeah, I think so too. And this one, we can put our own initials in it.”
“Oh, can we watch. Maybe make a video of it for you guys.” Briar pulled out her phone.
“Yes, please!”
I stood back as Ben took out a pocketknife and carved his initials. He then handed the knife to Millie. After she carved her initials, she handed the knife to me.
“Can you carve a heart around it?” Millie asked.
“Oh, um… yeah… of course.” I almost forgot how to draw a heart being put on the spot, but my kindergarten lessons came rushing back to me, and I made the best heart I could “How’d I do?”
“It’s perfect. What do you think, Briar?” Millie asked.
Briar looked up from the phone she was recording on and said, “I got it all. It looks lovely.”
“Why don’t I help you with this post,” Ben offered.
We lugged the old post to my truck and secured it. I tightened the last rope, hoping and praying that nothing bad happened to the thing.
As Ben walked back to the house, my phone sounded with a text message from Bella.
What’s going on?
Everything is alright. I’ll call you in about fifteen minutes. Hang out for a few. Don’t go anywhere.
Alright.
I texted Nancy to get an up-to-date status on Gia.
How’s everything going?
She’s doing alright. She’s resting which is what the doctors are telling her she needs most of. I’m going to be here for the next couple hours and then I’m heading out unless you need me to stay.
No, you’ve done plenty. Thank you again. You’ve made this a lot easier. I am actually headed that way so will be in town tonight and will check on her in the morning.
I’m sure Gia will love that. Please keep me posted on her progress and how I can help.
I definitely will.
I walked to the back, eager to get going and call Bella.
Briar, Ben, and Millie were chatting away but once Briar saw me, she could tell I wanted to leave.
“Well, Millie, Ben, this has been amazing, but I think we need to get going. Dustin’s grandma has gone into the hospital today, and he needs to get some things taken care of.”
“Oh my gosh, of course. I’m so sorry to hear that.” Millie began to walk towards the front of the house, and we all followed. “Is she doing alright?”
“I’m not sure,” I answered. “But I need to call some family members. They’re expecting some news, and I should touch base with them.”
Millie nodded her head understanding. “This has been a pleasure. Thank you so much for all your work and coming all the way up here. I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to have helped bring you back in contact with a family heirloom.”
Briar gave Millie a hug. “Thanks for taking such good care of it.”
“Now, we’ll want photos of where it ends up so don’t be shy.” Millie quickly hugged Briar again, and they parted.
“Of course not. I sent you the video from today, so I’ll be in touch.”
We said our final goodbyes and got back in the truck to head over to Monterey.
Chapter thirty-one
Briar
Holy shit.
The post was in my possession. It was strapped down in Dustin’s truck and going home with me. A feeling of pure joy radiated through me as we drove down the street. I kept looking at it behind us, making sure it was still there, as if it was somehow mysteriously going to disappear. After all these years, a piece of my dad was back home. It was going to make my new home even more perfect.
“Do you mind if I call Bells?” Dustin’s voice pulled me out of my euphoric bubble.
“Of course not.” I knew Dustin wanted to talk with her, and I would have said he could pull over to have some privacy, but I was sure he already knew that. He wanted to get on the road and be there as soon as he could.
I heard the ringing from the speakers in the truck as I stared down at my phone and tried to be busy.
“Hey Dustin. Spill.”
“Hello Isabella. How has your day been?”
“Dustin, I swear to—”
“Alright, I’m sorry. There’s no good way to say this so I’m just going to say it. Your grandma’s in the hospital.”
“What?!”
“She’s ok. Nancy, the neighbor, is with her. She took another fall from what they could tell, and she hit her head. She has a concussion, and they’re keeping her overnight as a precaution. She’s totally alright.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this. What the hell?”
“I didn’t want you to worry. It would have been pointless to tell you before your game. By the way, how’d you do?” Dustin’s support of Bella was beautiful.
“We won. I scored a goal. But that’s besides the point.” I smiled at the sound of Bella’s voice. She sounded like a powerhouse.
“It’s not. Good job!”
“Whatever. Have you talked to her? Can I talk to her?”
“I haven’t talked to her, but I’ve spoken to the doctor and to Nancy, both of whom have talked with her. They both say she’s doing fine. She needs rest so we’re going to let her do that.”
“What should I do?” Bella asked.
“Well, I’m on my way over there. I stopped in Stockton to finish some business, and my client and I are going to make a little detour and head over that way. We’re going to stay in a hotel, but I don’t want you to stay home by yourself. Can you stay at a friend’s house?”
“Yeah. I can go over to Greyson’s. And before you ask, yes, that’s a girl.”
