Chapter 30

 

ALEC knelt in the hospital corridor, hugging and kissing his niece and nephew. “I promise you’ll see me later, guys.”

Stacy wasn’t satisfied. “Bobette won’t be able to sleep without you!”

“The dog will be fine, dear,” their father, Charles, said as he struggled to get his son, Chuck, into his jacket. The boy was at that age where he had the desire to do it all himself, but he lacked the motor skills.

“Are you going to be okay?” Deborah asked, looking into her husband’s eyes, a slight smile playing on her lips.

“I will have them fed, bathed, and pajama’d before you know it, Deb.” He smiled and kissed her good-night. “Might even throw in a bedtime story.” The children cheered at that news.

“Shush! We’re in a hospital. Inside voices, remember?” The children nodded. “You two be good for Daddy.”

“We will, Mom,” Stacy said, glaring at her brother, who was oblivious.

Charles zipped up Chuck’s windbreaker with triumphant finality and sighed.

“See you later, Alec.”

“Take care, Charles.”

“How did the dog end up Bobette?” Alec asked after the family had disappeared into the elevator. “Yesterday her name was Camille.”

Deb smiled. “Final name change. I promise,” she said, raising her fists in a small celebratory gesture. “Stacy is obsessed with anything and everything French. Before you got here, the dog’s name was Adèle, but last night as I was tucking her in, your niece—”

“Oh she’s my niece now,” Alec said, laughing.

“—decided the name should start with a B like her last name.”

Alec thought about it for a moment. “Bobette Bellamy? I can see her point. It does have a certain ring to it.”

They shared a laugh as they walked over to a bank of chairs in the waiting area to sit, but Deb continued to stand and pace.

“She’s started a list of things she wants to do and places she wants to see. Of course France is at the top.”

“Pretty ambitious for an eight-year-old.” Alec smiled as he watched his sister pin her unruly curly black hair out of her face. It sort of reminded him of Ilsa, which led his thoughts to Eli. He frowned, but Deb didn’t notice.

“True. I think she’s going to be trouble when she gets older. She’s a terribly curious child.” She finally took her seat and looked into her brother’s eyes. “For instance, she’s asked me when you’re going to get married.” She took Alec’s hand in hers.

“Does she know about—?”

“Mom has referred to your ‘condition’ enough times that Stacy finally asked what the hell she was talking about… not in those words, of course.”

Alec laughed. “I would hope not.” He tried to imagine the look on his mother’s face if her granddaughter had used those words.

“Mom changed the subject immediately and hasn’t mentioned you in front of her since, but I sat Stacy down and told her what I thought… about you and about her gran’s bullshit—”

“Not in those words, of course.”

They both began laughing, and Alec hugged his sister. When the hilarity subsided, Deb grew serious.

“How are you—you and…?”

“Eli.”

“How’s it going?”

Alec sighed. “It’s a bit rocky at the moment.”

“Sorry.”

“We’ll work it out. He’s asked for time, and I’m making sure he gets it.” Alec’s gaze traveled everywhere but to his sister: the nurses’ station, the elevators, and the door of his stepfather’s room.

“You sound a bit peeved.”

Alec shook his head. “I’m just… just—kinda tired, I guess.”

“Sounds like he’s being difficult.”

“No… it’s—he’s been through a lot.” Alec massaged the bridge of his nose. “I’ve told you about Bennett.” Deb nodded. “Eli’s got—”

“Issues?”

“Yeah,” Alec said with a laugh. “Issues, and it’s turned out to be more complicated than I expected.”

“Do you love him?”

“Sis, you know my history.” He stared at the nurses’ station again. “What does that really mean?”

“So it’s yes.” Alec slowly nodded. “Have you told him? Outside of an orgasm, I mean.”

“Jesus!”

“Where?” she asked, gripping the arms of her seat and looking around frantically.

They broke up laughing again.

“Well, I’m certainly glad to see the two of you are having such a lovely time while your father is in there waiting to die!” Eleanor Sumner had sneaked up on them.

“The ice woman cometh,” Deb whispered, and Alec chuckled as quietly as he could. He stood and sighed. “Hi, Mom. You hungry?”

“Yes, you haven’t eaten in quite a while,” Deb added. “You should probably get something in your stomach. You want to be strong for Levi.”

“You don’t care about him… out here laughing your fool heads off. What if he were to hear you?”

“Then he would be conscious, and that would be a good thing,” Alec said calmly.

She looked up at him, her eyes roaming over his features. “You’re such a handsome boy.” She reached for his hair. “I wish you’d trim this some. You look like a hippie. No woman is going to want—”

“Mom, I think you should stretch your legs.” She moved to sit, but Alec caught her arm, keeping her on her feet. “Let’s take a walk to the cafeteria.”

He and Deb nodded to each other.

“No, I don’t want to leave your—”

“I’ll be with him,” Deb piped up. “I have Alec’s cell number,” she said, wiggling her phone in front of them. “And if I need you, I’ll call right away.”

She watched Alec practically drag their mother toward the elevators. Deb gathered her sweater and purse to go sit with Levi but saw a nurse enter the room carrying the necessities of a sponge bath, so she sat back down and waited.

 

 

ELI watched the numbers light up as the elevator rose through Cabell Huntington Hospital. He had no idea what he’d say to Alec. Getting here had been a relative blur, with Ilsa the primary force behind his efforts. He was still shaking a bit from his rough ride on that tiny plane into Yeager Airport. He’d seen the runway from the air, and it appeared to be on top of a mountain—a mountain that dropped off abruptly.

The doors opened onto the fifth-floor nurses’ station, and Eli stepped off. With his stomach churning and his heart thudding in his chest, he reached the desk but didn’t realize how dry his mouth had become until he tried to speak.

“Pardon me, sir?”

“I wonder if you could tell me where to find Mr. Sumner’s room.”

“Are you family?”

Eli hesitated. “I’m… I’m a—family friend.”

“Mr. Sumner is in Room 514, to your left. I believe the family is with him.”

“Thank you.” Eli turned to leave, but he stopped himself. “C-can you tell me how he’s doing?”

“I’m sorry, sir, we’re not allowed to give out that information.”

Eli nodded and headed down the hall.

 

 

DEB checked her watch and glanced at Levi’s room again. If her mother and Alec returned, and she was still sitting out here instead of in the room hovering protectively over her stepfather, she’d never hear the end of it. She looked up the hall toward the elevators when she heard the bell announcing the arrival of another car. The doors opened, but only one person exited.

No sign of them yet, thank God, but—the man exiting was about an inch or two shorter than her brother, with short, dark brown hair and using a cane. He stopped at the nurses’ station and then looked toward her.

“Holy shit!” Deb sprang from her seat. She’d only seen one photo of him. In one of his letters, Alec had sent her a panoramic shot of the city from the London Eye. Eli was standing in the background, pointing something out to Alec through the window and hadn’t known the picture was being taken. His hair had been longer, more shaggy. In the letter Alec had written, Sis, that’s him on the right, and then drawn a heart.

“H-hello. Are you… Eli?” He blinked at her with large, beautiful blue eyes. Deb smiled. Oh yeah, you’re him.

“I’m sorry. You—”

“I’m Deb, Alec’s sister.”

His smile lit up the room. “Oh yes! I’ve seen your picture. Alec has a photo of you and your family in his room.”

They shook hands, and she led him to a seat next to her. “Is Alec expecting you?”

“Uh… no, I heard about—how is your father… uh, stepfather… uncle?”

“He’s all those things,” Deb said, laughing out loud. “I see Alec has filled you in on our colorful family history.”

Eli nodded. “He told me that after your father died, your mother married his brother… that he had always loved her.”

“True. He’s doing fine, by the way, but don’t let my mother hear you say that.”

“What? Why not?”

“He had a bit of heart trouble, but they got him here in time and cathed his artery. He’s just recovering, but Mom is a bit of a drama queen and appears convinced he’s on death’s door.”

Eli smiled. “I’ll try to remember that and show the proper, bleak concern.”

Deb laughed softly, touching his arm and squeezing. “Oh, Alec’ll be so happy to see you.” Eli’s expression darkened, and Deb stopped smiling. “What’s wrong? You’re here to see him, aren’t you?”

“I came because I thought he might need—”

“He needs you.”

“We need to talk some things out.” Eli took her hand and squeezed it.

Deb looked toward the elevators and sighed as she saw Alec and their mother exit. “Yeah, that’s what he said.”

 

 

AFTER forty-five minutes too long with his mother, Alec had ushered her back onto the elevator to rejoin Deb on the fifth floor. He had stopped listening to her by the end of their meal and allowed her continued criticism and advice about his romantic life and “choices” become Charlie Brown’s teacher in his head. By the time the elevator doors opened, he was nodding and smiling as if he’d actually heard everything she’d said. Then he spotted Eli talking to his sister. At least he thought it was him. His hair was so short, but there was no mistaking that face, that smile, and those eyes.

“Eli?” Alec gaped at him. Deb and Eli stood to face him and his mother.

“Deborah, why aren’t you in there with your father?!”

“He’s having a bath, Mom.”

Eleanor couldn’t say anything to that, even though it was clear she wanted to. She turned her eyes to Eli. “Who’s this?” she asked, stepping forward to take Eli’s hand.

Alec blinked. “He’s my—”

“Friend,” Eli said quickly. “I’m Alec’s best friend from London, Mrs. Sumner.” He took her hand in both of his and held it. He looked deeply into her eyes and with a sympathetic expression, he said, “I was so sorry to hear of your husband’s difficulty. I simply had to fly over and see how my friend and his family were holding up.”

Alec glanced at his sister and saw she was struggling to keep from laughing herself unconscious, but their mother appeared to be buying it all.

“Oh, well, thank you, thank you so much, Mister….”

“Burke, Eli Burke.” He led her to a seat and sat next to her, still holding her hand and occasionally smiling and nodding as she recounted the horror of finding her “beloved” husband sprawled out on the bathroom floor.

“I thought Levi was in the kitchen making a sandwich, Mom.” Deb glanced at Alec, who eventually dropped into a seat beside his sister, still gaping at Eli.

Eleanor ignored her daughter, apparently finding Eli and his accent distractingly charming. “You didn’t tell me you had such nice friends, Alec.”

“Didn’t I?” Alec grinned slightly. He watched his mother’s fluttering eyelashes, saw the color rising to her cheeks, and in complete bewilderment, he leaned over to his sister. “Is our mother flirting with my boyfriend?” he asked, shuddering visibly.

Mrs. Sumner dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. “I should really freshen up before I go back to Levi’s room.” She and Eli stood, and he released her hand. “If you’ll excuse me.”

“Of course.”

She walked off, Deb following in her wake after glancing between Eli and her brother. They stood alone now, looking everywhere but at one another.

“You look tired,” Eli said.

Alec shrugged. “How was your flight?”

“Good, good. A bit rough coming into your airport, though.”

Alec smiled. “Yes, I can imagine.”

They fell silent again.

“Your sister tells me your stepfather is going to be all right.”

“Yeah. The doctor expects a full recovery.”

“That’s good.”

“Of course, he’ll have to watch his diet and increase his exercise.”

Eli nodded and the silence quickly became oppressive. Alec looked around the brightly lit waiting area. “Would you like to meet him?” he asked.

Eli looked at Room 514. “Uh… okay.”

They walked over, and Alec knocked.

“Come in,” the nurse said. He pushed the door open slowly and saw her covering Levi with a blanket, tucking him in and making sure he was comfortable. “I’m all done.” She checked the readings on his monitors and then carried a small basin of water into the bathroom and emptied it in the toilet. “He’s all yours.”

“Thank you.” Alec said, holding the door for her as she left.

For all intents and purposes, they were alone again. Alec and Eli stood there staring at Levi Sumner. The only sounds in the room were their breathing and the barely audible conversations coming from the wall-mounted television.

“I missed you,” Alec whispered.

“Alec—”

“I know. Not now.” He didn’t speak for a few moments. “Did Ilsa tell you where I was?”

Eli nodded and then grinned. “She practically packed my bag and threw me out of the house.”

“I’m glad she’s not angry with me anymore.”

Eli looked at him. “Alec, no one is angry with you.”

“You seemed pretty angry the last time I saw you.”

“I was mad at myself, not you, and I was… ashamed.” Eli continued to watch the elder Sumner breathe. Alec moved closer, but Eli started talking again. “I’m sorry I lied to you. I’m sorry I messed things up.”

“Eli, you didn’t mess things up.” He took Eli in his arms, but Eli resisted, pushing against him to free himself.

“I know you had Dray over—”

“What?”

“And that’s—”

He silenced Eli with his mouth, kissing him long and hard, parting his lips with his tongue until Eli’s struggles weakened, and he clung to Alec, pressing the full length of his body against his.

“Stop it!”

They parted abruptly, their heads swimming. Eleanor Sumner stood in the doorway glaring at the two of them. Deb stood behind her, smiling like it was Christmas morning.

“In the hall, now!” Eleanor hissed.

Before following her, Alec glanced at Eli, but he nodded that he’d be okay, and Alec walked out.

Deb smiled apologetically at Eli. “I’d better referee,” she whispered. “You have a seat. Read a magazine or something.” Eli nodded at her and smiled, and then she was gone.

 

 

HE LOOKED at the elder Sumner lying there. The monitor beeped steadily, and his chest rose and fell smoothly. All seemed well. Eli sat down, opened a magazine, and waited. He was almost lost in an article when he heard raised voices in the hall. He looked at the door, but he couldn’t make out anything that was being said. However, he could imagine. The voices quieted, and he tried to find his place in the article again.

“You… you mustn’t blame her,” Mr. Sumner whispered. Eli jumped, the magazine sliding to the floor at his feet.

“Sir?”

“Don’t blame her, please.” Eli didn’t say anything. He glanced at the door, thinking that perhaps he should summon someone. “It’s all right. I pretend to sleep when she’s here.” Eli grinned. He could understand that after only just meeting Mrs. Sumner. “Who are you?”

“I’m… I’m Eli, sir. Eli Burke.”

“Limey, huh?” he asked. Eli nodded. “You with Alec?”

“Yes, sir.”

He sighed deeply and stared at the ceiling. “My wife… she likes things, her life, a certain way.” He looked back at Eli. “She tends to come undone when things don’t fit like she thinks they should—doesn’t know how to function.” Eli waited. “One day Alec—our boy, he just didn’t fit anymore.”

“That must have been painful.”

Levi nodded and closed his eyes. His expression twisted, and thinking he might be in pain, Eli stood. “Can I get someone? Do you need anything?”

“Water.”

Eli looked around the room and saw a water bottle with a straw on a cart against the wall. He went to it and brought it to Mr. Sumner. He held the straw to the man’s lips while he took a few tentative sips and sighed.

“Good?”

“Yes, thank you.” Eli returned to his seat, setting the bottle on the table next to him. Mr. Sumner was watching him. “How old are you, boy?”

“Twenty-six, sir.”

“What you need a cane for?” Eli opened his mouth to speak, but wasn’t sure how to begin. He closed his mouth. “Sorry,” Mr. Sumner said, turning away. “None of my business. Didn’t mean to embarrass you. Guess you might have been born that way.”

“Actually, I was born just fine,” Eli said, the anger flaring in him. Sumner stared at him, waiting. “Almost three years ago I ran into a group of men who thought my partner and I probably shouldn’t exist.”

Sumner was silent for a few moments, watching Eli’s face. “They hurt you?”

Eli closed his eyes and sighed. “More than I can explain.”

“And your… your… man?” They looked at each other, the silence stretching out between them until Sumner turned away. “Too much hate in this world.”

“Yes, sir.”

“But then you met my boy.”

Eli smiled, and when he looked up at Sumner, he was smiling too. “Yes. I saw him waiting outside a coffee shop holding a green handbag. You don’t forget that.”

“You love him?”

“Very much.”

“Then you’ll be fine. He’s grown into a good man. I’m proud of him.”

“You should probably tell him that, sir.”

“I will… first chance I get,” he said, yawning. “And don’t let that wife of mine scare you.”

“She doesn’t.”

Sumner laughed. “Then you’re the only one, son.” They both laughed.

 

 

AFTER Levi was settled for the night, Eleanor, Deb, Alec, and Eli left the hospital. First stop was dropping Eli off at his hotel.

“Thanks for the ride, Alec.” Eli grasped the door handle to exit the car.

Alec looked out the window at the hotel. “I’ve never stayed here. Is it nice?”

Eli glanced at the nondescript building and then smiled at Alec. “It’s fine. Very comfortable.” He opened the door. “Thanks again.”

“You hungry?” Alec asked quickly. “I’m sure we could find some place still serving over at Pullman Square.”

“Alec, we really should be getting home,” Eleanor said from the back seat. “I was hoping you’d spend the night at my house. I’d hate to be there all alone.”

Alec glanced in the rearview mirror at his mother and Deb. He and Deb rolled their eyes in unison. “Mother, I haven’t been staying with you the two days I’ve been here,” Alec said. “Why do you need me so desperately now?” Eleanor had no response to that, and Alec turned back to Eli hopefully. “We could try Uno’s or Five Guys… they’re probably still open. What do you say?”

“I’m not really hungry, Alec. Thank you. I think I’m just going get some sleep. Still haven’t quite recovered from the flight.”

Alec nodded, and they ran out of things to say. But then Deb hopped out of the backseat and gave Eli a hug. “I hope you’ll come to dinner tomorrow, Eli.”

“Deborah, I don’t think—”

“Mom!” Alec and Deb shouted in unison, and Eleanor quieted, averting her eyes.

“Would you, Eli?” Deb said, replacing him in the front passenger seat as he held the door for her. “Come to dinner, I mean?”

He thought about it, looking at Alec and seeing the hope in his eyes. “Yes, thank you, Deb. I’d like that.”

Alec visibly relaxed, just as his mother tensed and puckered further.