Page 55 of A Burning Rage

“Daddy!” Luke cries as he races toward Shane.

Sam catches Luke before he careens into the bed. “Remember what I told you about being gentle with your daddy? He was hurt.”

“Oh, right.” Luke nods, looking so serious. “Sorry. I forgot.” Luke walks over to me and climbs into my lap. “Hi, Mama.” He kisses my cheek. “I miss you.”

“I miss you, too, sweetie.”

Luke glances over at Shane. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Hey, Luke.” Shane holds out his right hand to his son.

Luke hops down from my lap to approach the bed. He glances back at me. “Is it okay if I hold Daddy’s hand?”

Shane chuckles. “It’s fine, buddy. I’m not going to break.”

“Are you sure?”

Shane nods. “I’m sure.”

Sam sits Luke up on the side of the bed so he can grip Shane’s hand.

“How did you get hurt, Daddy?” Luke asks.

Shane glances at me for help.

“Daddy fell down,” I say. “But he’s feeling better now. You don’t need to worry.”

Luke strokes the back of Shane’s hand. “Are you coming home soon? I miss you. Sissy misses you, too.”

Shane reaches out to cup Luke’s face. “I’ll come home as soon as I can. I promise.”

A hospital staff member carries a tray into the room and sets it on the bedside table. “Somebody ordered a cup of broth?” she asks with a smile.

“Yes, thank you,” I say when Shane doesn’t reply.

After the young woman leaves the room, I pick up the cup and the straw wrapped in cellophane. I unwrap the straw and slip it into the cup. “Do you feel up to having some breakfast?”

Shane frowns. “Is that all I get?”

I laugh. “I’m afraid so. Baby steps, honey. If you can keep this down, maybe you’ll get to have some oatmeal tomorrow.”

When Shane scowls, Luke says, “Oatmeal is good, Daddy. You’ll like it. Cooper puts blueberries in mine.”

I take a sip of the lukewarm broth. “It’s actually pretty good. Here, have a taste.” I hold the cup for Shane, and he takes a sip.

“Can I help?” Luke asks eagerly, turning his bright eyes to me.

“Sure,” I say. “Daddy would love to have your help.”

With a little assistance, Luke cradles the mug in both of his hands and holds it out to Shane. “Here you go, Daddy. Take a drink.”

Shane dutifully takes a sip of his broth. “You’re right,” he says to me. “It’s not bad.”

“Drink some more,” Luke says. “It will make you strong so you can come home.”

Shane reaches out to ruffle Luke’s hair. “Thank you, buddy.” And then he sucks down the rest of the broth, probably just to get it over with.

After Luke peers into the empty mug, he smiles at Shane. “Good job, Daddy!”