Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“Knew what?” I asked.
The two glanced at one another and hesitated. Ralph cleared his throat. “Harry’s fine. It was just a fall. They’re at home. We were called out to check on him, but he’s—”
Before they finished, I darted out of the bathroom. I grabbed my keys and got in my truck, then sped down the street to my grandparents’ house.
Without an invite, I burst through the front door to find my grandparents in the living room, watching the evening news. They turned to me instantly and looked at me as if I were a madman.
I tossed my hands in the air. “What the hell?!”
CHAPTER 7
Harry
“Ever heard of knocking?” I asked from where I sat in my recliner, staring at Theo after he came bursting into the house. Molly and I never locked our front door, and people came bursting in all the time. I told her we should change the habit of unlocked doors to avoid people bursting in, but she said that was her favorite thing. “You never know who’s coming in.”
That was my exact issue with it—you never knew who was coming. Sometimes I just wanted to walk around in my boxers with freedom. Well, roll around nowadays. That damn wheelchair was pissing me off.
I hated it.
I hated it more and more each day.
Molly did her best to help me into it multiple times a day, but my lady was petite. I knew it was a struggle with her needing to help me up and down nonstop. Sometimes when I needed to get up, I just stayed down because I didn’t want to bother her.
She would’ve said it wasn’t a problem.
If the roles were reversed, I would’ve said the same thing to her.
“Why was the ambulance here?” Theo asked, his voice covered with concern. “Actually, I already know. Ralph and Stacy told me.”
“What happened to privacy?” I murmured, waving a hand toward my grandson. “It was all a misunderstanding. Your grandmother called because she was overreacting.”
“Harold Cole, watch your tongue,” Molly scolded. “You were on the floor for a long time.”
“But I was fine,” I replied. “I got up.”
“With their help,” Molly said before turning toward Theo. “Your grandfather thought it would be wise to try to take a shower. He slipped and fell. Could’ve easily broken a hip.”
“What the hell were you thinking?” Theo asked with a parental tone.
My stomach knotted up instantly and so did my mood. I scrunched up my nose and narrowed my eyes. “Who do you think you’re speaking to like that, boy? Don’t forget who raised you. You can’t come in here scolding me like I’m a child.”
Theo’s eyes, which matched Molly’s, softened as he stared at me. He ran his hands through his hair before resting his palms on the top of his head. “Sorry, PaPa. I was just worried.”
“Well, don’t worry about me. I’m fine,” I replied.
The words left my mouth, but I hardly believed them.
When I fell, I bruised myself pretty badly. It hurt more than ever before.
I felt ashamed.
Embarrassed that Molly had to find me in that position.
People said getting older was a gift, but most days, as of late, it felt like a curse. I hated everything about it. I hated that I couldn’t go fishing. I hated that I couldn’t drive. I hated that I couldn’t take a damn shower without needing assistance. It was as if I was transforming back into an infant, needing people to cater to me every step of the way. It felt dehumanizing in so many ways.
I used to play all sports. Football. Baseball. Basketball. My joints never used to crack whenever I walked. I used to be able to stand on my own and not fall. I used to take care of everyone, not have everyone take care of me.
I used to be strong.
Now, I was pissed off.
I was angry.
I was sad.
Theo and Molly both stared at me with so much care and love in their eyes, but all I saw was pity. The last thing I ever wanted was for someone to pity me even though I didn’t feel well. I was tired. I ached. Everything hurt—my body, my mind, my heart. Everything was so painfully exhausting.
“S-sorry, PaPa,” Theo said, his voice stuttering slightly. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just concerned.”
I nodded once. “I get it. I’m fine, though.” But I wasn’t. I hadn’t been fine in a long time. Some days, I couldn’t even look at my Molly because it felt as if each passing second was the last remaining moment I’d have to look her way. And that thought shattered every piece of me. I still stood by what I said to her sixty years ago on our wedding day. I wanted forever with Molly Ruth Langford. Even that didn’t feel long enough.
My eyes found Molly’s, and an instant calmness filled me. I didn’t know a woman’s eyes could bring so much peace until I looked into hers.