Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Rigs

Chrome pulls the van door open as I approach. “Thanks for helping me out today,” I tell him.

“No problem. We got everything on your list. I hope the clothes are the right size.”

I look over the items and slide them back into the duffel bag they came in. “Everything looks good to me. Thanks for taking off the price tags and thinking to buy a duffle.”

“We put snacks in the side pocket. Maybe clue him in about that, cos hospital food sucks.”

“That was real nice of you. He’s pretty out of it right now, but I’m sure he’ll appreciate it when he wakes up.”

Chipper hands me a small overnight bag I recognize from the multitude of suitcases Mattie brought to the clubhouse. Blushing furiously, he stammers, “I packed her two outfits and an extra pair of shoes. She had a bunch of makeup on the bathroom counter, so I grabbed that and her brush. Hope that’s enough to get her through the next day or two.”

“I’m sure it will be fine, and thank you. I know going through a woman’s personal effects can feel weird.”

He nods, looking ten kinds of relieved.

“I almost forgot,” Chrome says, handing me a bag that smells really good. “There’s enough food in here for the three of you.”

“This is all great. You two are killin’ the whole prospect thing. I look forward to having you both as club brothers very soon.”

They both smile at the compliment.

As I return to the emergency room, I stopped by the nurse’s desk to ask if Evan was allowed to eat.

One of the nurses checks his chart. “It looks like he’s been cleared for oral intake. The doctor has just written that he needs to force fluids, take small bites, and chew thoroughly.”

“I understand completely. When he wakes up, if he’s able to eat, I’ll be sure to keep an eye on him.”

The nurse smiles at me. “I’m sure you will. Just press the call button if Evan needs anything or you have any questions.”

“I’ll do exactly that. Thank you.”

“Have a nice evening.”

I go back to Evan’s room and tuck both travel bags beside my chair, but keep a hold of the food. “Are you getting hungry at all, sugar?” I ask Mattie.

“I feel like I’ve been a nervous wreck for hours, and now that it’s all over I can eat a horse.”

I had to work to keep from laughing. “I’ve got sandwiches.”

“A sandwich would hit the spot.”

I hand Mattie a sandwich wrapped in white paper and watched as she opened it.

Her hands are so small and delicate. I’ve always felt a little ham-handed around this woman. Mattie was the opposite of me in almost every regard.  But they say opposites attract, and I could see for the first time how that was true. We were like two halves of the same whole.

Just then, Evan bolts awake in a panic. “No, don’t hit me. I’ll be good.”

He sounds like a child even though he’s fourteen. Who put such fear in his heart? Who harmed him? My hands tighten around the top of the bag I was still holding.

Mattie puts her sandwich down and rushes to his side. She grasps him by the shoulders, “Evan, everything is okay. You’re safe now. Remember, I rescued you from the cabin?”

“You what?” he asks as he blinked up at her as though he had never seen her before. “Who are you?”

“Remember, we were at the cabin together. I told you we were about to be rescued and we were. Do you remember now?”

Looking over her shoulder, he sees me and his face lights up. “I remember him. He broke the door down so we could leave.”

I hurry over to his bedside. “My name is Rigs. I helped Mattie rescue you.”

“I like your vest. Are you a cowboy?”

“No. I’m a member of the Savage Legion. It’s a motorcycle club. How are you feeling right now?”

Evan frowns for an instant before smiling again. “I feel great. Really great. Like so great this all can’t possibly be real.” He starts to tear up.

I guess the combination of fear, illness, and whatever meds the docs have pumped him full of, have gotten the poor kid confused.

“Do you have any questions you’d like to ask us?” Mattie says gently.

He looks around before asking quietly, “Did I die? Is this where people with really shitty lives end up, trapped in a hospital for all eternity?”

Mattie turns to me, and the expression on her face is so lost that I take over the conversation. I hold out my hand and he slowly grasped in his. I give his hand a little squeeze before letting go. “See? I’m a real person. Mattie is too. We brought you to the hospital because you were dehydrated, and they gave you medicine to help you feel better. That’s why everything feels a bit strange.”

“Thank God. I thought I was losing my mind. This doesn’t feel like real life. Nothing feels like it should.”

“Just hang in there. The medication will wear off soon enough.”

“I wish I didn’t feel this way,” he says sadly.

“Would you like something to drink?”

He nods. “That sounds good. My mouth feels like cotton.”

Handing him a glass of water, I remind him, “It’s probably a side effect of your medication. Are you hungry?”

“I could eat. Wait, I am I allowed to eat in a hospital?”

“Yeah, you can eat, kiddo. Want a turkey sandwich?”

“I want candy. I’m a candy-tarian,” he says with a sly grin.

I can’t help but laugh at that. I’s glad that his sense of humor is intact after all he’s been through. “I think I might have something for you.”

I grab the duffle from across the room and put it on the bed next to him. “Mattie and I bought you some supplies to get you back on your feet. Just some clothing and stuff. I believe there might even be snacks in the side pockets.”

He dug into a pocket and pulls out a chocolate bar.

I remember what the nurse said and caution him, “You haven’t eaten a lot lately. The doctor wants you to take small bites and chew slowly for the first day. Do you think you can do that for us?”

He nods and nibbles a small bite off the corner of his bar. “Oh my God this is amazing. It’s been months since I’ve had anything nice to eat.” Glancing down at the duffel, he asks suspiciously, “Are you sure all this is for me? I don’t have to be share it with other foster kids or anything?”

“Nope. You’re the only foster kid in our world right now,” Mattie answers.

He eyes her with suspicion. “So you’re my new foster person?”

“I’d like to be if you would be willing to give me a chance.”

“Are you two a package deal?”

“Maybe.” I say, looking at Mattie. She’s smiling at me encouragingly. “Would that sweeten the deal or be a deal breaker for you?”

Taking another nibble from his chocolate bar, he says, “Haven’t decided yet.”