19. Justin

19Justin

The Uber ridewas quiet as I thought back to the confrontation with Alex at the club. I couldn’t believe the arrogant jerk was Kairo’s best friend, but I had no desire to come between them. That was never my intention to begin with, and I still wouldn’t do that even after meeting the asshole. If the shoe were on the other foot and Kairo tried to come between Chris and me… I wouldn’t be able to stand it because I was well aware of how much I leaned on Chris. It would be fucked up to ask Kairo to ditch Alex when I really knew nothing about their friendship. One thing was for sure, Chris would never behave that way towards Kairo. Even though Alex clearly despised me on sight, he hadn’t even given me a chance. I tried not to let that hurt me, but it did. I wanted the people in Kairo’s life to like me.

I sighed and fished out my phone from my pocket and looked at it. Amid everything, I hadn’t realized the service in the club was non-existent, fuck! And I had told Ashley to call if she needed anything. Suddenly as I unlocked my phone, several texts poured in. The last few reading, please call me. I looked at my watch. The texts spanned from thirty minutes to an hour ago. I dialed up Ashley’s number.

It rang once, then a second time. Finally, at the third ring, she answered. “H…hello…”

“Ash, I’m so sorry I missed the calls and texts. I’m about five minutes from the house. Did you need something?” I realized how silly that question was. Obviously, she needed something.

“I…I… oh Justin, I tried to call you, I’m so sorry we’re…we’re at the hospital. Can you please hurry?”

The blood drained from my face. Hospital? “Excuse me, sir!” I hollered up to the front seat. “Change of plans. Get me to the hospital. Now please hurry!” I turned back to the conversation. “What’s going on? Who’s in the hospital? What happened?” I tried to keep the panic from my voice, but even I could hear it wasn’t working.

“Th…Theo. He started to run a fever, and then he had a seizure…and…I…I didn’t know what to do.”

“Give me that phone!” Hazel’s voice came through loud and sharp, and I fell back against the seat.

“Well, how nice of you to call us when your nephew is running a fever of over 102. Do you know what a fever can do to a baby? You should be ashamed of yourself, Justin. Utterly appalling.”

“He was in good hands, Hazel,” I argued. “We trust Ashley.”

“She’s a child,” Hazel hissed.

I clamped down on my tongue. Why did she even have to be bothered? “We’re turning into the parking lot now. I’ll be right there. In the ER, right?”

She huffed. “There’s no need for you to show up now. He’s in great hands. Not that you really cared that much.” The call disconnected, and I groaned, slipping the phone into my pocket. Her harsh words echoed through my mind. Thankfully the Uber driver had gotten me to the ER quicker than I expected.

“Thank you!” I tossed some money up to the front seat and jumped out of the car. I couldn’t have run any faster as I went into the hospital and searched the waiting room. I spotted Ashley in the far right corner of the seating area with Sara cradled in her arms, sound asleep.

Spotting me, Ashley jumped up, jostling Sara more than I liked, and gave me a look of horror. Her eyes widened, and they were red like she had been crying all night. “I’m so sorry, Justin. Really, I am. I couldn’t get a hold of you, and I didn’t know who else to call. I found her name on the emergency list.” She sniffled. “I shouldn’t have called her, but I was so scared.”

“It’s alright, Ashley. You did the right thing. Stay right here for a minute. I might need you to take Sara home.” She nodded and sat back down in the chair. I turned and saw Hazel coming down the hallway. Her strut was powerful as she walked straight towards me.

“I told you not to bother coming.”

“Cut the crap, Hazel. I was right outside when you said that. Not to mention the fact that they are my responsibility, and I’m not going to just leave Theo in the hospital like he doesn’t matter.”

“Oh? But you’ll leave him at the house with a twelve-year-old?” She huffed and looked away from me.

“She’s eighteen and can take care of Theo and Sara with no problem. She’s been doing it this whole time. I’m sorry that—.”

“Have you been drinking?” she asked, interrupting me. She stepped into me and took in a whiff. “You smell like a brewery. Did you drive here?”

“Gee, thanks for your concern, but I took an uber.” I rolled my eyes and looked over to where Ashley and Sara were. “I had a beer when I was out. That’s all.”

“Ms…” the doctor started, coming out of the room.

I stepped forward, covering her up. “My name is Justin. I’m Theo’s guardian.”

The doctor nodded. “Dr. Wallace. We have gotten his fever back to normal with some Tylenol. He’s going to be just fine. Kids this age tend to run higher fevers. From what you described, Theo had a febrile seizure. They are pretty common in kids from six months to five years old. It’s the body’s way of dealing with the high fever caused by a virus. And Theo has a virus. It’s the common cold. Plenty of fluids and a regular regimen of Tylenol, and he’ll be feeling better in no time. You might want to think about a cool-mist vaporizer too. That can help break up any mucus and help the little ones breathe easier when lying down. If you don’t have any questions, you’re free to take him home.”

“Thank goodness! Thank you, Dr. Wallace.” I reached out and shook his hand.

“Yes, thank you,” Hazel said, stepping out around me to shake the doctor’s hand as well. Bitch. He nodded, and then she turned around to glare at me some more. “You left a sick child at home with a child. That’s poor parenting in my book.”

“He wasn’t showing any signs of being ill when I left. So, frankly, I did nothing wrong. I was gone no more than two hours, and Ashley has done a fine job taking care of Theo and Sara when I cannot be there. Just because you’re angry with me doesn’t mean you can take this out on anyone else. I’m also entitled to have a break once in a while, Hazel. ”

She shook her head in disgust. “When you were being beckoned to the hospital, you left all calls and texts unanswered. That is not what a father should be doing.” She swallowed, and I watched her, her eyes growing in despair. “I have made up my mind, and Theo and Sara are coming home with me.”

My jaw dropped, and she held up her hand, anger spewing from every inch of her.

“There’s no point in trying to argue this. You are tipsy and in no position to watch over these children. My decision is final. She took in a deep breath and released it as I looked over to Sara, who was still sound asleep.

“Tomorrow, I will work on getting custody arrangements taken care of with CPS. Otherwise, you’ll be hearing from my lawyer.” She stormed towards Ashley, and I watched as she picked up Sara in her arms, practically yanking her from Ashley’s hold.

“I’ll see you in court, Justin.” Ashley looked to me for answers, but I didn’t have any. It would be a long battle, but I would make sure I wasn’t on the losing end.