Out at Home by JL Paul Read Free Book Online

on the phone, as she grabbed the cell phone off her desk. At least the tickets weren’t the ones Brady had left for her. Luther’s tickets were down the first base line and ten rows back. Brady would never think to look for her there. She could enjoy the game with Tia and not have to deal with his insufferable ego.
     
    ***
     
    She decided since she was leaving the office early, she’d go see her father. She drove to the hospital thinking the whole time about everything Josh had said. She agreed he was probably right. Maybe it would be best if she sat down and talked to Brady, get everything out. Then maybe she could move on with her life. Maybe she could get out of her funk and find happiness somewhere. Hell, maybe she'd even date…
    After Prom, when her world had fallen apart, she’d been much too busy to even consider dating again. But now, with Teddy away at school and her father in the hospital, she spent many lonely evenings at home with her television. Tia always regaled her with tales from her dating escapades and sometimes, Taylor felt a twinge of jealousy. She usually had no desire to go out with anyone; Brady had pretty much ruined that. But other times, especially when Tia spoke dreamily of the way her current suitor held her hand or kissed her softly, she would long to have the same thing. Dining with Josh and his wife Lacy only enhanced the emptiness inside.
    But dating Brady Nolan once more? No, definitely not. He’d built her up once only to tear her down. She would never let anyone do that to her again. Especially him.
    Her father wasn’t sitting in his usual chair when she walked into his room. Instead, he was sleeping in his bed, snoring softly with the crisp, white sheets tucked firmly under his arms. She took a seat next to him, observing how thin he had become in the last few weeks. The doctor had informed her that if he continued to not eat well, they would have to insert a feeding tube. She cringed. She knew her father would hate that.
    Resting an arm on the bedrail, she raised her other hand to stroke his thinning hair. She remembered how thick and lustrous it used to be and how her mother would lovingly rake her fingers through it before ruffling it. She’d run from him, laughing uncontrollably, until he caught her around the waist and kissed her.
    Taylor rambled softly to her father about how her story had turned out and the cookout she’d attended. She talked of the players she’d met and told him when he got better, she’d introduce them to him.
    She started when the door opened and Dr. Edwards entered. The aging doctor smiled at her over his bifocals as he checked her father’s chart. He made a few notations then placed it back in the tray at the foot of the bed.
    “ Miss Lockwood, could I have a word with you in the hall,” he asked. Taylor nodded and kissed her father’s forehead. She followed the doctor out of the door.
    “ How is he?” she asked nervously.
    Dr. Edwards sighed. “He hasn’t eaten at all in the last two days and now he’s started refusing water. I’ve ordered an IV of just saline to keep him hydrated. And I think I’m going to have to order a feeding tube also.”
    Nodding, Taylor studied the floor, fighting back the tears that were forming in her eyes. “He’s wasting away, isn’t he?”
    “ I think that’s what he intends to do.”
    Releasing a long breath, she peeked in at her father resting in his bed. “Do what has to be done. I’ll call Teddy and see if he can’t come home soon.”
    He gently squeezed her arm. “That’s a good idea. I’m sorry I didn’t have better news for you.”
    She nodded again, gazed once more at her father, and padded slowly down the corridor. Once she reached the parking lot, she called Tia’s cell phone and told her to pick her up later; they were going to the Racers game. She hung up with Tia and found her car.
    Opening the door, she climbed inside, taking a deep breath. She dialed her brother’s number,