In the gloom beneath the night-time cafeteria lights, the resemblance between him and her son was so strong. Those warm whiskey eyes and dark, dark hair. Even the way he was staring at her was so familiar it hurt.
“Have you finished?” he asked, nodding at her coffee cup.
“My tongue tells me I have.”
The corner of his lip quirked up. “I’ll walk you back to Nick’s room and head home. It’s been a long night for all of us. We should both try and get some sleep.”
“Oh. Okay.”
He pushed himself up from the table and she followed suit, letting him take the lead as they walked across the cafeteria and back toward the bank of elevators at the end of the hall. And as he pushed the button to call the car, she leaned against the wall, a wave of exhaustion washing over her, along with the strangest feeling that, in spite of everything, she wasn’t in control at all.
* * *
When she opened her eyes again, daylight was streaming in through the window next to Nick’s bed. He was still asleep, but his lips were moving as he murmured words she couldn’t quite hear. It didn’t disturb her though – she’d gotten used to his sleeptalking over the years. In twenty minutes or so he’d most likely be wide awake.
The sound of a throat clearing made her turn in her seat, her muscles complaining at the sudden movement. They were coiled and tight from where she’d been curled up on the chair, unwilling to stretch unless she forced them.
“Mom?” she said, frowning, shock evident in her voice.
Lillian was standing in the doorway, her face twisted as though she wasn’t quite sure whether to walk in or leave. Her watery blue eyes met Brooke’s.
“Is Nick okay? I couldn’t sleep and you weren’t answering your phone. I wasn’t sure whether to come or not.” Lillian stumbled over her words. There was no sign of her usual assurance. “I know I’m probably the last person you want to see.”
Brooke’s chest felt tight. It took her a moment to realize she’d been holding her breath. She let the air out. “It’s okay. I’m sure he’ll be pleased to see you when he wakes up.” She circled her head to loosen the tendons in her neck.
Her mom took a tentative step inside. “Did you get any sleep?” Her bottom lip stretched, as though she was trying to force it into a smile.
“A little. Not much.”
“I brought you a change of clothes. Just in case you needed them.” Her mom held out a white bag. “And some toiletries, too. I hope you don’t think it’s too forward of me.”
Brooke couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen her mom so hesitant. It felt strange. And yet there was something conciliatory in the way Lillian waited for Brooke to decide whether or not she wanted the bag. In past times she would have shoved it in Brooke’s hands and told her to get changed right away before somebody saw her.
But now it seemed like a kind gesture.
“Thanks. I’d love to get out of this dress.” Brooke met her mom’s eyes, and gave her a grateful nod. A moment later she took the bag from her hands. “Will you sit with Nick while I change in the bathroom?”
“I’d like that.” This time her mom’s smile was big. She walked over to where Nick was fitfully sleeping and sat down on the chair Brooke had just vacated. With a glance back at them, Brooke headed for the bathroom with the white leather bag her mother had given her.
She wasn’t sure what she expected to be inside the bag – but a simple pair of worn jeans and a t-shirt wasn’t it. Brooke blinked, trying to recall when she’d last seen her old grey tee with the pink Angel Sands logo on it. Years ago? When she pulled it on it was tighter than she remembered, but it was still a million light years preferable to the dress she’d been wearing since last night.
“Mom, where did you find these clothes?” Brooke asked as she walked back into the hospital room. On catching sight of her son, she smiled. “You’re awake.”
He nodded. “Grandma told me you were getting changed.”
“How are you feeling?” she asked him, walking to the far side of his bed and taking his hand. Her eyes met her mom’s, and she could see her own relief reflected in the light blues.
“I’m good. Can we go home now?”
Warmth flooded her veins. The fear and panic from last night had left her body feeling on high alert, but she was slowly beginning to calm down. “Once the doctor’s taken a look at you and gives the all clear.”
“Can Grandma come too?” he asked. “And Grandpa?” The hope in his voice reminded her how much he’d missed them. It hit a tender spot in her heart. “Can you, Grandma?” Nick asked again.
“I’m… I’m not sure. Your mom will be very busy.”
“You’re welcome to come over,” Brooke said, her voice strong. She might not have liked what they’d done to her – both last night and all those years ago – but they were still her parents. They thought the world of Nick, and he idolized them both. It would take a long time for her to begin to trust them again, and longer until she could let go of the pain they’d caused her, but they still had more in common than they had differences.
They loved her. Even if they sometimes had a strange way of showing it.