“I feel fine.” Wendy tried to sit up. “They pumped me full of Tylenol, so I’m good to go.”
“They’re just being careful. It’s protocol with a head injury. There could be something that wasn’t picked up on the initial CT scan, and if you’re still fine in a few hours, then you’re out of the woods.” I walked over and pulled a chair close to the bed. “Beth’s on her way. Do you really want to tell her you ignored the doctor’s orders?”
“Oh no.” Wendy laughed and grimaced. “Looks like I’m staying put.”
“How are things with you these days, anyway? I didn’t even realize you were back in town. The last time I saw you was at Beth’s wedding, and things were too crazy for us to talk much.” I tilted my head to the side and folded my arms across my chest.
“Yeah—crazy weekend.” She forced another smile, but I could see that it hurt with her head injury. “Things haven’t been bad. I graduated from college and moved back home to help my dad.”
“Your dad? Really?” I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “I seem to remember you wanting to stay as far away from him as possible in high school—and for good reason.”
“I did.” She nodded in confirmation. “It got worse before it got better, but he’s in a rehabilitation center now. Sobriety looks good on him. It’s almost like looking in the face of the man I used to know.”
“Wow, that’s really good.” I smiled and nodded slowly. “We all handle that kind of pain in different ways.”
“I wish he would have handled it like you did. Beth’s mom left, and you didn’t lose your shit.” She took a deep breath and exhaled sharply.
“It was hard. Don’t think I never picked up a bottle and drowned my sorrows—I just didn’t let it get out of control. I could have, though. There were times when I thought about it.” I shrugged and sighed. “Nobody’s perfect.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Her words trailed off.
“You should get some rest.” I leaned forward and patted her hand. “I’m sure Beth will be here by the time they’re ready to release you.”
“Thank you for coming to check on me.” She lifted her arm and squeezed my hand before I could pull it away. “It really means a lot.”
“No problem at all. You said you’re staying at your dad’s place?” I tilted my head when my hand fell to my side.
“Yep, I’m trying to clean it up and repair what I can before he gets home.” She nodded and grimaced when her head moved against the pillow.
“I’ll swing by tomorrow and check on you.” I lifted my hand to wave before turning around.
“Thanks…” She let out a long sigh.
Wendy had grown up a lot since high school. I was glad that she had managed to find peace with her father and that he was getting the help he needed. The relationship seemed permanently damaged back then. I tried to talk to him a couple of times when Wendy showed up at my house in tears, but it was clear that his addiction ruled his life. I couldn’t imagine hurting Beth like that. I could have easily drowned my troubles in alcohol, but I loved my daughter too much to let her see the pain I carried. I bottled the anger and rage in order to be the best father I could be. I wasn’t perfect—not by a long shot. I still had vices, but I kept them under control and made sure my daughter was far away when I indulged them. She needed at least one role model in her life, and my ex-wife had no interest in being one.
The next day
“How is she?” Micah walked up to me in the locker room as I was getting changed at the end of my twenty-four hour shift.
“Who? Wendy? She’s fine. Beth picked her up from the hospital and stayed with her last night.” I turned to him and nodded. “I was going to fill you in when I got back, but you were already sleeping.”
“Yeah, I passed out as soon as I got out of the shower. I was fucking tired.” Micah opened his locker and peeled off his shirt. “Glad to hear she’s okay. We don’t always find out what happens when the ambulance takes them to the hospital.”
“Sometimes it’s better that way.” I slammed my locker and sat down to put on my tennis shoes.
“Yeah, I found that out the hard way early on.” Micah slipped on a clean t-shirt and sat down beside me. “So, Wendy—is she single?”
“Come the fuck on, man.” I glared at him and shook my head in disbelief. “We talked about this shit yesterday.”
“I know, she’s one of your daughter’s friends.” He leaned over to tie his shoe. “That doesn’t mean I can’t ask her out.”
“I can’t stop you from asking her out if that’s what you want to do.” I sighed and leaned close so only he could hear me. “But if you hurt her—I swear to god, Micah…”
“Hurt her? What kind of guy do you think I am?” He turned to me with an offended look on his face.
“I know exactly what kind of guy you are.” I stood up and looked down at him. “That’s the fucking problem.”
I couldn’t help but be a little protective of Wendy. There was a time when she seemed to spend more time at my house than her own. We even threw her a birthday party when she turned eighteen. Micah wasn’t a bad guy; I just didn’t think he was looking for any sort of relationship with Wendy. He rarely thought about anything other than his dick when he was with someone. I might have followed him down that path a few times, but it didn’t define my life. I was open to a real relationship with someone if I met the right woman. I just didn’t think that was ever going to happen. My daughter was married, and once she had a baby calling me grandpa, I would be looking for dates at the nursing home. It wasn’t how I imagined my late thirties, but I was content. I barely even remembered how to date someone, anyway. Solitude was certainly better than drama.