The Kill
Iwalk into the hospital room.
Sean is lying in bed, asleep? Unconscious, maybe? I’m not sure. Tasha didn’t give me details.
I walk over and sit next to him. He looks peaceful even though there are scratches and bruising on his face. He’s hooked up to all kinds of machines, and there’s an IV sticking out of his arm. I resentfully wonder if he likes it. I know, I’m fucked-up for even thinking it.
I don’t want to disturb him, but I do want to know what the hell happened.
Just then a nurse walks in. And not just any nurse. “Tasha?”
“Hey, Ryan.” She smiles at me. I haven’t seen her in years. She looks good, and she’s pregnant.
“You work here?”
“I’m an X-ray tech.”
“Is that good for the baby? I mean all the rays?”
“It’s fine as long as I stay out of the room while I’m shooting.” I look down at her stomach and then back up at her face. My throat feels like it’s going to close. I don’t know what’s been going on with Sean and Tasha. He hasn’t mentioned her in a long time. Their relationship has always been complicated. But I have to ask, “Is... is it his?”
She smiles, but the sentiment doesn’t reach her dark eyes. “No.”
I want to ask her if she’s trying to convince me or herself, but I think that’s a can of worms worth keeping closed. If she says no, it’s no. And I really hope that’s the truth.
“How did this happen?” I motion to Sean.
“He was hanging out with a couple of guys in the neighborhood. The driver was drunk.”
“Of course,” I gripe. “When was the accident?”
“Two days ago.”
“Two days?Does my mother know?”
“Yes, she’s been here.”
I’m suddenly irate. “She didn’t tell me.”
Tasha frowns. “I don’t think she wanted to bother you.”
“That’s such fucking BS, Tash.”
“There were drugs in the car, Ryan.”
“Of course, there were.” I run my hands through my hair, disgusted. “She wanted to hide it from me. Not bother me.”
Tasha shrugs apologetically. She has nothing to feel sorry for. It’s my mother who needs the personality transplant. Or maybe it’s me who needs a family transplant.
“What made you call me?” I ask her, pinning my eyes on Sean.
“He wanted me to.”
“Why?”
“You’re his brother. You’re the most important person to him in the world.”
I shoot Tasha a skeptical look.