Good for you.
TJ found himself smiling at the simple accomplishment. Is there anything you feel like? he asked Eli. Anything at all?
Eli looked to his mom as if seeking permission. Could I have a chocolate milkshake?
I can run out and pick one up, TJ offered.
Yes. Sage surreptitiously swiped her hand across her cheeks. Yes, darling. You can have as many chocolate milkshakes as you want.
Finally, Eli said with a small smile. Something good in the hospital.
TJ couldnt believe his son was making a joke. In a hospital bed, weak and frightened, and fighting for his life, he was making a joke. His kid had mettle. Again, pride rose in his chest.
He left the room and took the elevator to the main lobby. There was a fast-food restaurant down the block that served milkshakes. But Eli deserved better than any old milkshake. TJ wanted his first gift to his son to be at least a little bit special.
So he drove to a gourmet ice-cream shop ten minutes away and waited while they made a custom order.
When TJ got back, Eli was semi-reclined in his bed. His eyes were closed, and he was listening to Sage read a story. She was sitting between Elis bed and the bed of the little girl with the broken leg.
The girl looked to have other injuries too, TJ realized. One of her arms was bandaged, and she had a brace on her other leg.
She looked shyly at the milkshake, and TJ felt like the biggest heel in the world.
Sage stopped reading.
TJ set the milkshake on Elis table.
Is there something youd like? he asked the girl, moving closer.
Heidi, this is my friend TJ, Sage said to the girl.
Hi, Heidi. He offered her a smile. I should have asked you before. What would you like to eat? As long as its okay with the nurses, I can bring you anything.
She hesitated.
Go ahead, Sage told her. Hes rich. He can afford something great.
TJ was taken aback by Sages description of him. It was true, but it was an odd thing to tell a child.
Pizza? she asked shyly.
Absolutely, TJ answered. What kind do you like?
Hawaiian, she said. And... She bit her bottom lip.
What else? he asked. Do you want a soda?
Can I have extra cheese?
Extra cheese it is. Out of the corner of his eye, TJ saw Eli lift the milkshake to his lips.
Heidis blue eyes lit up with simple joy.
This is really good, Eli said.
Fantastic, TJ said to Eli. He hadnt felt this good about a gift in years.
I can get you a milkshake, too, he said to Heidi.
Instead of answering, she looked to Sage with amazement.
Chocolate or vanilla? Sage asked her. Or maybe strawberry or caramel?
Caramel, Heidi said, sounding breathless.
What about you? TJ asked Sage, not about to mess this up a second time. Pizza and milkshakes all around?
Sage gave him a grin, and he swore he could feel her joy seep into his very pores.
You bet, she said. Surprise me.
Im on it. He gave them all a mock salute and walked out of the hospital room feeling ridiculously like a superhero.
* * *
After the pizza and milkshakes, Sage read aloud until both Eli and Heidi were sleeping. Then she said good-night to the nurse before she and TJ walked to the lobby. She was tired, but she was also relieved. Eli was showing definite signs of improvement. Hed finished his entire milkshake and even had a couple bites of pizza.
Ill be back tomorrow morning, TJ said as they approached the bank of glass doors.
I know you will.
They were going to have to work this out somehow. But for now, the best she could do was one day at a time.
Wheres your car? he asked, stopping as she turned left on the sidewalk.
The parking lot was to the right.
Im taking the bus.
He closed the gap between them. Why would you do that?
She didnt want to tell him. But she didnt want to make a big deal about it either.
She kept her tone blasé, matter-of-fact. I dont have a car.
He blinked. Who doesnt have a car?
Me.
Why?
Because I dont.
How do you get to work?
She could hear the diesel engine and the air brakes of a bus coming up the hill. She pointed to it.
Thats crazy, he said.
She didnt like it much, but shed sold her car a month ago when theyd started doing tests on Eli. Their meager insurance policy didnt begin to cover all the costs.
You need a car, he said with authority.
I had a car.
Did you crash it?
No, I didnt crash it. I sold it.
Why would you He stopped, and his brows rose. The medical bills.
Yes, the medical bills.
There was no point in pretending. She was a single mother with a low-paying job and a sick child. Of all the things she had going for her in life, money wasnt one of them.
As of this second, TJ said, there are no medical bills. You have no medical bills.
You cant
I can, and I am. How much have you paid so far?
None of your business.
You want me to guess?
No, I dont want you to guess. It was her pride arguing with him. There was no practical purpose for insisting on footing the bill herself. From everything she knew, he had money to burn.
Ill drive you home.
I have a bus pass.
Its nearly eleven. Youre not getting on the bus.
She folded her arms over her chest. Im a functioning adult, TJ. I dont need you or anyone else to take care of me. Ive been on this bus dozens of times at night. And I dont need your permission to do it again.
Im offering you a simple favor.
Youre... She paused. She was exhausted, and it was twenty minutes until the Number Seven bus arrived. She had to transfer at the downtown station, which would mean an additional fifteen-minute wait before she boarded the final bus. She was being a fool to turn him down.
She closed her eyes for a second. Okay. Thank you. That will be quicker.
Are you always this stubborn?
She gave him a glare.
I mean good. My car is this way. He pointed to the south lot.
Im used to being self-reliant, she said, although she didnt owe him an explanation.
Your life has changed, he said.
So has yours.
He used his remote to unlock the doors to a low-slung red sports car.
Drastically, she added, contrasting it to the fifteen-year-old minivan shed recently sold.
He opened the passenger door and stood waiting for her to get in. Were in this together, Sage.
She didnt like his phrasing. We have a common interest.
We have a child together.
She didnt have another response, so she got into the car.
The seats were smooth leather, cool and comfortable, cradling her body, filling the car with a subtle earthy scent. The navigation screen and dashboard made her think of a space shuttle. The seat belt came out smoothly, clipping effortlessly together.
TJ swung into the drivers seat.
Where to? he asked, pressing the start button.
North on Fairton Road.
You live downtown?
Its close to work.
Her rented basement suite was in an older part of the city. Gentrification was taking place near the water, but it hadnt yet made it to Fir Street. That kept rent low, for which she was grateful. But the nearby development was also pushing trouble closer and closer to her block.
TJ paid the parking charges and exited the lot.
It was a short drive to the highway, and there their speed increased.
The ride was smooth, and the sports car hugged the road. It was like floating on a cushion of air. It was so much better than the bus. She leaned her head back against the soft headrest and watched the strobe of streetlights above.
Too soon, they came to her exit.
She directed him to her neighborhood and pointed out the right house.
He pulled to the curb, setting the brake and shutting off the engine. He stared through the windshield. Who are those guys?
As she unbuckled her seat belt, Sage took in a group of teens and young adults in front of the corner market. There were six of them, scruffy-looking, all male. A couple of them were smoking, another couple were showing an interest in TJs car.
They look worse than they are. Sage had never been bothered by anyone.
Are there a lot of drugs around here?
How would I know?
He gave her a frown.
No more and no less than in other parts of the city. I dont pay that much attention.
She was used to the neighborhood. She saw it every day. Sure, sometimes litter collected in the gutters. And the lawns werent exactly fine-trimmed. Some of them were barely lawns. But the MacAfees next door were a lovely retired couple, and Sages landlord, Hank Taylor, owned the bakery two blocks down. He was a hardworking, fiftysomething man who looked out for her and Eli.
TJ opened his door and got out, staring levelly at the group of boys.
Sage followed and got out her side.
Ignore them, she told TJ.
Theyre trying to decide if they can intimidate me.
If you dont bother them, they wont bother you.
I dont want them to bother my car.
Dont be paranoid. She started across the sidewalk for the worn stepping stones that led to the basement entrance.
How long have you lived here? he asked, falling into step.
Since Eli was two.
Has it always been like this? His tone was clearly critical.
You mean low-rent?
This is a little more than low-rent.
She inserted her key into the doorknob and turned it open.
No dead bolt? he asked.
Its not exactly a high crime district.
Could have fooled me.
Insulted and annoyed, she stepped into the doorway and turned. Thanks for the ride, TJ.
He looked confused. You dont want to talk?
About?
About our situation. His gaze took in the room behind her.
It was clean. Maybe a little cluttered, since shed spent so much time at the hospital the past two weeks. There were dishes in the drainer and a basket of clean laundry on the sofa. Shed been to the Laundromat but hadnt had time to put everything away.
She realized he had to be used to far more opulent surroundings, but she wasnt going to apologize. She had a limited budget. Eli had a safe, clean place to live. His school was basic, but the teachers were dedicated. And the park down the street was part of a city beautification project and was a perfectly nice place for him to play.
Im tired, she said to TJ. Can we talk tomorrow?
He glanced at his watch. I really dont want to leave you here alone.
Its my home. Youre being both ridiculous and insulting.
Shed been aware of the neighborhood slipping in recent years. But it was still a perfectly fine place to live.
There are thugs on the front sidewalk.
Those are kids.
Those kids have been shaving for more than a few years. They could be armed.
Shed had enough. Good night, TJ. Go back to your five-star hotel. Eat some twenty-dollar almonds from the minibar or something.
Come with me, he said.
In exasperation, she dropped her purse on the bookshelf. Im sleeping in my own bed tonight. Just like I did last night and just like Ill be doing tomorrow night.
He opened his mouth.
Stop, she ordered. She pointed out the door. Go. Ill meet you at the hospital tomorrow.
Ill pick you up.
No, you wont. I already regret letting you drive me home.
No, you dont.
He was right. She didnt. If he hadnt driven her home, shed still be standing at the downtown station.
Why are you fighting me on this? he asked.
It was a fair question. She wasnt exactly sure. I think mostly because youre overbearing.
Im logical and reasonable.
His answer surprised a laugh out of her. Is that how you see yourself?
Im staying at the Bayside Hotel.
Are you bragging?
He gave an exaggerated sigh. Im pointing out my geographic location. Its downtown. Its not even out of my way to pick you up tomorrow. Before she could respond, he continued. Logic and reason.
And a little bit overbearing.
Only a little bit. Eight?
She didnt want to give in. It felt too much like giving up. TJ...
Eight it is. He gave her shoulder an unexpected squeeze. Lock the door behind me.
And then he was gone. And her shoulder tingled from his touch. And she wanted to be annoyed with him. But her heart wasnt in it.
* * *
Eli seemed to rally in the morning but then faded in the afternoon. The nurses assured them it was normal. TJ made himself scarce for a while to give Sage time alone with Eli, returning to his hotel to touch base with his executive assistant.
While he followed up with the most pressing phone calls, he couldnt get Sage and Elis apartment off his mind. He understood that it was hard being a single mother. His own mother had struggled to raise him and his two brothers. There was no shame in financial hardship, especially when a woman was juggling both work and parenting.
But Sage didnt need to struggle anymore. She didnt need to worry about money anymore.
He wanted them out of that neighborhood. What was more, he wanted Eli in Whiskey Bay. He might not be feeling quite as hard-nosed about it after the past few days with Sage. But he was still determined to be part of Elis day-to-day life from here on in.
He didnt know how hed pull it off, but he knew it would go a lot smoother if he could convince Sage instead of fighting her. As quickly as the thought formed, it also crystallized. If he wanted to win over Sage, he had to show her the possibilities. To show her the possibilities, he had to show her Whiskey Bay.
Back in the hospital, Eli was still feeling low. He barely touched his dinner. And by six he was sound asleep.
Tomorrow will be better, TJ said to Sage as she kissed Elis forehead.
He feels warm. She drew back and cupped her hand on his head.