“When was that?”
“A couple of months ago.” Navy raked a hand through his hair. He’d tried so hard not to get into it with his father, but no matter what happened, it always came down to the fact he’d never please the old man. “Like I said, we’re not close.”
“Where are you?”
“I just got to the hospital.”
“I’m actually doing a little research and I’m not far from where you are, so if you need me, just let me know. Now go find out how he is and let me know what’s going on. I’m here for you,” Bobby said. “Whatever you need.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. I’ll text you as soon as I find out anything. And Bobby?”
“Yeah?”
“You think you might be free later on tonight? To maybe just talk?”
“Do you want to come over? Or do you want me to come to your place?”
“If you don’t mind, you’re right on the water and I find that calming. I’m not and I think I’d like view,” Navy said as he stared at the sliding doors. His pulse beat wildly out of control. Being around his family always created a level of anxiety that he resented. It was the only thing in his life that felt out of control and he hated it. “I know that’s selfish of me, but—”
“Don’t think twice about it. It’s fine. I’ll text before I head home, or I can bring you by some food or whatever. Just stay in touch.”
“Will do.”
Navy really didn’t understand why he felt the need to bring Bobby into the mix, but he felt a hundred and ten percent better about going into the situation. He stiffened his spine, sucked in a deep breath, and entered the building on the hunt for his family.
He didn’t have to travel too far.
His sister sat in the far corner of the ER waiting room. Flanked to her right, his oldest brother leaned back on the chair with his legs stretched out and his ankles crossed. His other brother paced a hole in the carpet in the center of the room.
“Any news?” Navy asked.
Randell stopped pacing. “We weren’t sure if you’d show up.”
“Of course I’d be here.” Navy rubbed the back of his neck, giving extra attention to his left shoulder. “My flight has been canceled, for now. So, are you going to answer my question?”
“Mom is still back there, and she hasn’t come out since we got here,” Randell said. “We can’t decide if that is good or bad.”
“No news is good news,” Navy said under his breath.
“That’s bullshit.” Bradley, his oldest brother, jumped to his feet. “But how would you know. You have no idea what it’s like to sit around and wait to find out if your brother is dead or alive after being shot down.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Navy said. “Can we not start this crap again? Mom and Dad don’t need us fighting.”
“I agree.” Andrea, his sister, rose and strolled across the room, giving him a hug. “Even though the circumstances suck, it’s good to see you.”
“You too.” Navy understood tensions were high and his brothers weren’t good with emotions to begin with.
They were also very close to their father.
“Who was with Dad when he collapsed?”
“Just Mom,” Bradley said. “She called 9-1-1 and then called me.”
“What had he been doing?”
“Changing a lightbulb in the kitchen.” Bradley shook his head. “Standing on a fucking step stool. He shouldn’t be doing stuff like that at his age. He should have called one of us.”
Navy was so tired of his brothers treating their father like he was a fucking invalid. He wasn’t even seventy yet and while he had one health scare two years ago, he was otherwise a strong man who would probably live for many years. Besides, he was still working. It wasn’t like he’d retired and was living in an assisted living facility.
No. His parents were on their own and doing their thing. Hell, they went on a camping trip every year and continued to take short hikes and bike rides wherever they went. The only thing his father really had to consider was having type two diabetes, which did have its own set of problems.
“He’s capable of taking care of most things on his own,” Navy said. “It sounds like his blood sugar levels dropped and he fainted.”
“Right. Because you’re around so much.” Randell glared. “Shit. I’m sorry. That’s not fair.”
“It’s fine. We’re all worried. Did anyone get to see him? Mom?”
“I did,” Andrea said. “Well, I saw Mom when I got here. She said she’d come out and let us know as soon as she knew anything.”
Navy looped his arm around his little sister. “Dad is strong. He’s in good health. He’s going to be fine. His blood sugar probably bottomed out and he fainted. The fall was probably what sent him here.”
“Then why don’t we know anything?” Randell asked.
“Because it’s an emergency room and they are inefficient and haven’t seen him yet, which means it’s not life-threatening.” Navy kissed the top of his sister’s head. She always smelled like peaches and cream.
“You don’t have a fucking clue as to what you’re talking about.” Randell plopped into one of the gross-looking metal and vinyl chairs that wasn’t fit for a rat. “Your glass half full shit is not helping. Besides, you’re never around. You don’t spend time with Mom and Dad. You have no idea what they go through or what’s happening in their life.”
“And whose fault is that?” Navy pinched the bridge of his nose. Situations like this were supposed to bring families together, not rip them further apart. “And if you say mine, I’m going to lose my shit because I try. I really do but every time I come around all I hear about is how disappointing my lifestyle choices are from Dad and the older he gets, the worse it gets and Mom doesn’t even bother to try to get him to be less judgmental anymore.” Navy planted his hands on his hips. “Nor do any of you. It’s almost like you all want to pretend I don’t exist because I’m g—”
“Excuse me,” a woman wearing scrubs and carrying a clipboard stepped into the waiting area. It was probably best she cut Navy off before he finished his statement.
One, because he’d never expressed himself so bluntly before.
And two, it wasn’t the time or place. Emotions ran high and no one would deny that everyone in that room loved their old man.
“Yes?” Randell was on his feet in a split second.
“Are you all the Sinclair family?” the woman asked.
“We are,” Navy said. “How is our dad?”
“He’s resting comfortably.” The woman waved to the nasty chairs. “Why don’t we take a seat.”
Navy didn’t like the sound of that. “I’d rather stand.”
“So would we and just give it to us straight,” Randell said.
“My name is Doctor Jessie Wasniac. I’m a cardiologist.”
“Dad had a heart attack?” Andrea asked as she grabbed Navy’s hand, squeezing it hard.
Navy put his arm around his sister. “How serious is it?”