25. Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

Liam

" M om?" My footsteps are light as I walk into the room, careful not to make any sudden movements. I'm practically holding my breath as everyone stares at her like the knife in her hand is a bomb. "What's going on?"

Her head whips to me, her eyes wide. I see the moment she recognizes me as her shoulders ease. "Liam!" She runs towards me with the knife, and I put a hand up before the nurses can tackle her.

She drops the knife just as she reaches me and wraps her arms around my neck. "Oh, thank goodness you're here. Oh, thank God." She smoothes my hair and kisses my head repeatedly. I hold her tightly, and I can feel her heart pounding against me.

Capri scrambles to the ground in a hurry and grabs the knife. She hands it to someone who rushes off with it like they are the bomb squad and it's going to explode. My mom says a prayer over us, and I keep my eyes on Capri, trying to figure out what the fuck is happening, but before I can ask, my mom pulls away.

All of the nurses still surround us with wide eyes, and I notice a needle in one of their hands, so I keep my hold on my mom so they don't touch her.

"Do you know where the baby is?" She searches my eyes frantically, and I look over at Capri, who now has her eyes on the ground like she can't even face me. "They keep saying there's no baby here, Liam. Where is she?" Her voice drips in desperation as tears start to form in her eyes, and I feel my jaw clenching.

I look back at Capri, and I might actually strangle her for even telling my mom that. I don't get why they don't just fucking entertain her. I don't care if it's not beneficial. Her flipping out like a crazy person isn't very beneficial, either.

I look back over at my mom and kiss her cheek softly. "She's sleeping, Mom."

She looks like she's holding her breath as she watches me. "Are you sure she's okay? When was the last time you checked on her?"

I swallow the lump in my throat as I give her a small smile. "I just put her down. She's fine, come, sit with me." I bring her to her bed and the crowd of nurses part for us like she's contagious.

"Leave us."

"Liam, they need to stay for–"

"Leave or we'll leave." My head snaps up to Capri and she looks like she feels horrible, but she's going to feel a hell of a lot worse before I leave this house. She avoids my eyes as she tells everyone to let us have the room, and they're reluctant, but do.

"Where'd you get a knife from?" I lean on my elbow on the bed as my mom starts braiding her hair.

"I keep one in here for emergencies. You know that."

She used to keep a knife in her room back at home but didn't anymore when Shanti learned to walk and open drawers, so she must have been stuck in some headspace when Shanti was really young.

"Where do you keep it?"

"I keep it where I always have it, Liam." She brushes me off and I glance around the room as I try to figure out where any other sharp weapons could be. "That's a sick joke Pri played earlier. I'm very upset with her."

"Yeah," I rise from the bed and start searching her dressers. "The knife show really gave that away." Everywhere I check comes up empty, and I decide she doesn't actually keep anything in here and got that one from somewhere else. Someone is getting fired today, and if it's Capri, then so be it.

"My brush is right there, Liam." She shakes her head at me as if she fucking asked for it, but I keep my mouth shut and hand her the brush. "Thank you, sweetie."

"Mhm."

She pauses with the brush to her hair as she turns to me.

"Are you upset with me?" She looks mad that I'd be mad and I quickly shake my head because the last thing I need is for her to throw a fit on me after I just calmed her down.

"No, Mom. Of course not. I–"

"Good because it's Capri who you should be mad at."

Oh, trust me, I am.

"I just wanted to see my baby, and she started going on in that condescending voice of hers about how there's no baby here and that Shanti was gone. Gone where ?! HUH?" She yells out into the hallway, and I'm sure the entire block heard her.

"You're right…" I start off slowly, careful not to even move too much in case her anger grows out of my control. "That's a horrible joke."

She nods in response as she brushes her hair, and I feel myself relax when I realize she isn't going to flip her rage on me.

"But how about we don't pull knives on her?"

She huffs like I just asked her for the most absurd shit.

"Just punch her right in the face for me next time, got it?" I lay on my back with my eyes closed as she thinks about it, or whatever she's thinking about.

I don't think she'll actually hit Capri and even if she does, I'll deny ever encouraging it. She's sick, it's totally not my fault what she does or doesn't do.

"Where's the baby, Liam?"

I look over at her, and she's still brushing through her hair mindlessly. I hate lying. She always told me it was horrible to do, and I feel like shit every time I come to see her because I always have to lie.

"She's sleeping."

"Can you go check on her?"

"I just did."

"Are you sure ?"

I let my eyes fall shut. Of all things, why does she have to remember Shanti? I get she was her baby, but she forgets me every other day, and I wish she didn't forget anything, but if she needed to forget something, I wish she'd forget her. This will all be so much easier for everyone.

"Liam?"

I look back at my mom, and she looks down at me with a smile. I blink away the stinging in my eyes as she brings a hand to my face. "You look tired, baby."

"I am, Mom." My voice comes out just above a whisper, and she lets out a sigh before lying on the bed beside me.

"How did your girlfriend like the flowers?"

I feel my brows furrow and I sit up on my elbow to look at her, but she only keeps her eyes on the ceiling as she plays with the end of her braids.

"She loved them." I have no clue how she continues to remember our conversations about Sage, but, of course, she remembers shit like this instead of what really happened to Shanti.

"What's wrong?"

I shake my head, not having the heart to tell her she's what's wrong since it isn't even her fault. "Nothing, Mom." I lay back down beside her, and she smiles at me knowingly.

She lets out a sigh before shaking her head. "I told you it's important to know her favorite flowers, Liam. Peonies are a great backup when you don't know a girl's favorite, but it's important to us girls that you guys know those things about us."

She just thinks peonies are a good backup because they're her favorite, but I don't say anything as she rambles on.

"Your father got me a gold watch the other day, and it was beautiful, don't get me wrong, but Liam," she gestures to all of the jewelry she's wearing. "I'm a silver girl, and I don't say this to be ungrateful, but it says a lot when men don't notice those things. Learn her favorite flower, and don't forget it." She points after her words, and I shake my head at her.

"You're right. I'll be sure to ask her what her favorite flowers are."

She nods with a smile, and a fist comes around my heart at the lost look in her eyes.

"I miss you, Mom." I feel my smile slowly fading, and a lump so big forms in the back of my throat, I physically can't swallow.

"Oh, honey." She whispers, and I wrap my arms around her tightly.

"I'm so sorry." I'm sorry you're in here. I'm so fucking sorry Shanti isn't here. "I'm sorry." I squeeze my eyes shut when they start burning and bury my face in her hair. She holds me close as she rubs my back.

"It's okay, baby. Whatever you did, we'll fix it."

I pull in a deep breath, and when she tries to pull away, I bring her back to me and hold her for another minute.

"Just tell me what happened, Liam. I won't be angry."

I shake my head softly before she pulls away.

"Nothing happened."

She lets out a sigh as she watches me. "Did you get into a fight again?"

When I don't reply, she shakes her head disappointedly.

"You must learn to control your anger, Liam. I tell you this all the time, and I'm going to keep saying it."

I keep my gaze away from her, but from the corner of my eyes, I can see her watching me.

"Look at how your father–"

" Don't compare me to him, Mom."

"Then don't act like him." Her words are soft, pleading almost, and it's the only reason I don't walk out. She takes my hand before kissing the back of it, and when I look over at her, she looks sad. "I miss you too." She hugs my side and I wrap an arm around her shoulder as I pull her in.

We pull away after a minute, and she looks up at me knowingly. "I know you too well, sweetie. What's really on your mind?"

I shake my head in response and try to muster up a smile for her, but my face doesn't budge. She keeps her eyes on me like she's waiting for an answer, and I still wish I could turn back the clock and go back to the age when she was able to solve my biggest issues, so I tell her something else I've been thinking about.

"I need to tell Sage something, but I don't know how she'll take it." I keep my eyes on the ground as I go on. "I don't want to lose her, Mom. For the first time in a while, I feel… happy . She's all I'll ever want in this life and maybe even the next. I refuse to lose her. Even if that means I have to lie to keep her."

"Oh no, don't lie, sweetie."

I keep my eyes on the ground because I can already tell the motherly look she's giving me.

"Don't doubt her love for you. Tell her the truth, and trust she'll stay."

She places her hand over mine, and I force myself to face her.

"Do what you want, but believe this: if she doesn't hear it from your mouth, her reaction will be worse than you imagined."

I think of her words and feel my stomach turning at the thought of Sage's reaction to her brothers hating me, but my mom is right; I need to tell her. I just don't know how.

"I don't like it here, Liam."

I lean away a bit to look at her, and she keeps her eyes forward. She told me this was her favorite place last week, but she looks miserable in this second, so I get up and grab her hand.

"Let's go home."

Her face lights up, and her smile is all I care about as we walk out of her room. When we turn the corner, Capri is slumped against the wall like she was standing there the entire time. She quickly pushes off the wall and looks between the two of us.

"Is she coming downstairs for dinner?" Capri looks between the two of us hopefully.

"We're leaving, Capri." My mom tells her as she holds her head up high. "And we're no longer best friends. I don't appreciate the way you joked about that earlier. Goodbye."

I nod at how mature she was about that because she's normally very petty. She pulls my hand as she walks forward, and when I follow behind her, I can see the worry in Capri's face.

"Is she being serious?"

"Of course I am! Why don't you ever take me seriously?" She takes a sharp step forward, but Capri doesn't flinch.

"Yeah, Capri. Why don't you ever take her seriously?"

Capri looks over at me and sends me a pointed look as she turns her head. "This isn't funny, Liam."

"We're not joking," My mom starts. "Although you wouldn't know what a good joke is." My mom answers for me, and I bite back a smile at how offended Capri looks.

"Yeah, we're not joking, although you –"

"Liam."

I roll my eyes and turn more serious. "I really am taking her home." I walk ahead, but Capri gets in my way.

"Liam, think about this."

"He has."

She ignores Mom as she follows after us. "Liam, please. I know you're upset about tonight's incident, but think for a minute."

I don't answer her, and my mom walks ahead as we head down the steps.

"Liam, what are you going to do with her at home? You brought her here because of how much you travel for work. You–"

" You're still her nurse. Pack a damn bag, and I'll send you my address. She doesn't want to be here anymore."

"When she said that her first day here, you said she didn't know what she wanted."

I stop in my tracks, and when I glare down at Capri, she doesn't back down. "When I offered to move in with you, you said this was better for her, and it is ."

I look over at my mom, and she wandered off to one of her friends. She whispers like she's talking shit about Capri, and I hope she tells all three of the other residents in here so they can all collectively hate Capri. It's a childish thing to wish for old people to hate and bully their nurse, but I don't care.

I think of Capri's words, and I hate that she's right. When I look back at Capri she crosses her arms at me. "You told her to punch me?"

I sense the joke under her tone, but I'm still pissed about what she told my mom.

"Maybe she should." I glance over at my mom, but she's still distracted. "You really fucking told her Shanti was dead?" I whisper now, although my words still seem too loud.

Capri's arms fall as she watches me, her eyes flooding with regret. "I'm sorry about–"

"When she asks you about Shanti, make up a fucking lie." I bite out, my built-up anger oozing out with every word. "If she asks about my asshole dad, make up a lie . If she thinks she can fucking fly, you ask her to show you, and when she flaps her arms like a damn bird, you act amazed. I don't pay you to try to cure her fucking Alzheimer's." I take a step forward, and she keeps her gaze on my heated one.

"I don't care if feeding her delusions isn't beneficial. I don't care about anything !" I snap.

She slightly flinches, and when she takes a step away from me, her face is blank. "I apologize, Mr. Walker–"

"Oh, don't start the Mr. Walker bullshit, Pri." I roll my eyes at her.

"I'll update you if anything else happens tonight, but I assure you, I'll make sure nothing does. We're working on figuring out how she came about getting the knife, and I'll report to you when we know more." Her voice is suddenly so… monotone.

She slightly bows her head, and I shake my head. "This is why I didn't want a young nurse. You're such a brat sometimes."

"I'll send you my best referrals if a new nurse is a path you want to take, Mr. Walker."

I stare at her for a minute, but she doesn't even blink. "You're fucking ridiculous." I walk away from her because I'm not dealing with this tonight.

"Liam, come meet my friend Susan." She makes me meet this woman every time I come, and I don't like her.

"It's nice to meet you, Leo."

I blink twice in her direction, and when she smiles, I look away. I know that old hag knows my name, and she's a horrible actor with even shittier humor. My mom laughs softly, and I almost think she's in on whatever joke this is. Somedays, I really do think everyone in here is faking it, but I don't voice my thoughts.

"Oh, Liam, I know I said I'd go see your new apartment, but our show is starting soon, and I don't want to miss it. I'll go after, but it's already getting late and–"

"It's okay, Mom."

She smiles up at me, and I kiss the side of her head before pulling her in for a hug. "I'll see you soon."

She barely hugs me as she rushes to the couch and gets comfortable as the show starts. I almost walk away, but she suddenly freezes and looks around for something.

"Mom, what is it?"

"Oh, Liam." She turns around and holds her chest. "I didn't see you there. Where's the baby?" She looks around again, but when she tries to stand, I stop her.

"I'll get her. Watch your show." I direct her back on the couch, and I watch her as she sings the theme song. The two other residents walk in, singing before sitting on the couch with my mom and Susan.

I take a seat behind her and stay for two episodes of whatever horrible show this is, but she looks fine, and I don't want her to even get reminded of Shanti by seeing me, so I leave without saying goodbye. When I turn, my eyes lock on Capri. I pull my gaze away from her as I head for the door, but just as I pass her, she walks out of the house with me.

"I really am sorry about telling her that. I've told her once before, and she didn't react like that; she remembered what happened and–"

"I don't want her to remember that day, Capri." I stop in my tracks as I turn to her. "You weren't there. You don't know what it was like to drag her off the floor as she sobbed for weeks when we lost Shanti."

"I know, but–"

"You don't though! When you lose your baby sister and have to take care of your grieving mother at seventeen, you can get back to me—actually, when your dad kills himself for what he did to his daughter, then you can get back to me."

"Liam–"

"My mom is getting a new nurse. Send me those referrals."