Page 71 of Love U Down II

“It’s okay. Just take care of yourself.”

“Trust me. I will.”

I looked from my father to the machines he was plugged into and back. Myome walked over and set a hand on my shoulder. I set my hand on top of hers and we remained silent while my parents and Chandler spoke.

My father was lying. He was lying though his fucking teeth. He was in pain. Maybe Chandler and Ma Dukes couldn’t see it but I could.

We all looked at the door as it opened slowly and a woman stuck her head inside.

“Hello.” She smiled as she made her way inside. “I’m here to give you an update on how things are going to progress if that’s okay.”

“Let’s hear it.” My dad sat up a little straighter.

“Well, we’re going to administer you some medication to hopefully lower your blood pressure and check on it in an hour or so. We’re definitely going to have you stay overnight and tomorrow morning we’ll do a full body scan and have those results handed off to all of the professionals. So your brain scan will go to a neurologist and your chest scan will go to a cardiologist. They’ll each come speak to you about what they see, and compare notes if necessary, and we’ll go from there.”

“Sounds good.”

“Okay. We’ll get you that medicine and maybe a snack to make sure you have something on your stomach when you take it, then let you get some rest.”

“Alright.” He nodded.

“I’ll be right back.” She excused herself from the room and my mom exhaled.

“Well, if we aren’t going to find out anything until tomorrow, you guys can go home for the night,” our father said. “I mean, you have the girls at home probably waiting for you and Berlin?—”

I cut him off. “I’m good. I actually think Mom should go home, get some real rest, and come back in the morning.”

“Sweetie—”

I cut her off. “You don’t need to be sleeping in one of these hard ass chairs for real. We just talked about you needing a massage. I’ll stay, and if anything pops off, I’ll call y’all.”

“You promise?” My mom cut her eyes at me.

“I promise. I wouldn’t even play like that.”

“Okay.” She nodded slowly.

“You gon’ be good if I stay?” I looked back at Myome who looked genuinely confused by that statement.

“Yeah. Of course. I was actually thinking I’d go spend the night with your mom.”

“That would be great.” My mom smiled and reached for Myome’s hand. “You can stay in Berlin’s room.”

“Perfect.”

“Then it’s settled.” I clapped my hands and climbed to my feet. “Let me walk y’all to your cars so y’all can get off this road before it gets too late.”

Chandler, my mom, and Myome all said their goodbyes and hugged my dad, then I walked them out to their cars. I squeezed Chandler extra tight, kissed Myome briefly, and rocked side to side as I hugged my mom.

“I love y’all.” I waved at the three of them as they climbed into their cars.

“Love you,” they responded.

I stood in the parking lot until I saw them pull onto the road then went back up to my father’s room where he was flipping through channels on the television.

I snatched the remote from his hand and sat back down.

“Berlin—”