Saving Grapes - Madeline Kirby Page 0,50
Steve Caldwell, Thom’s grandfather. He wasn’t tall, maybe five-foot-eight, but he may have been taller before – Ben knew he had arthritis. He still had a full head of hair, but it was snow white where Thom’s was black. What held Ben’s attention, though, were his eyes – they were the same piercing pale blue as Thom’s, with the same dark ring around the iris. They were intelligent eyes, too, not confused or dulled by age, and Ben stood up a little straighter, even though the crick in his back made him wince. The old man smiled, then, and reached out a gnarled hand.
“You must be Chuck’s nephew,” he said in a firm voice that could have come from a man twenty years his junior. “The one that’s got my grandson all tied up in knots.”
Ben reached out to take the old man’s hand, grasping it gently, mindful of the pain a stronger grip could cause. “I’m Ben, Ben Loomis, sir, if that’s what you mean?”
Steve Caldwell smiled then, and Ben let himself relax a bit. He hadn’t been sure what kind of reception he might receive from Thom’s only relative.
“Why don’t you have a seat next to Thom, Steve? I’m betting Ben hasn’t eaten all day, so I’m going to take him to stretch his legs and get something to eat. We’ll be back in a few. Want anything?”
Steve declined the offer and sat down in the chair Ben had vacated, and Ben followed his uncle out of the room.
“Have you talked to the doctor today?” Chuck asked.
“Yes, he came by not long after you left. I didn’t want to call you while you were driving.”
“What did he say?”
“Everything looks as good as can be expected and it’s too soon to be concerned about him not being awake yet. He’s supposed to come back by again this evening. Where are we going?” Ben asked when Chuck led him toward the exit rather than the cafeteria.
“You need some fresh air, and there’s a café in the next block.”
Ben had to admit he did feel better after soup, a sandwich, and a walk. He filled Chuck in on what had been going on at the house, and Mindy’s conversation with the fire marshal. Ben described what he had seen in the vineyard, and Chuck said he would head out there in the morning to take a look.
They walked back to the hospital with cups of coffee for themselves and Steve, in case he wanted one.
“So, he’s okay with me? Me and Thom, I mean?” Ben asked as they walked up the hill.
“Thom’s the only family Steve’s got left, and he loves that boy something fierce. As long as Thom’s happy, and you treat him right, that’s all he cares about.”
Ben swallowed the lump in his throat. “I will. As long as Thom lets me, anyway. I have a feeling he’s going to be a really bad patient, though.”
“I’m sure you’re right. He’s a proud man, and needing help will not come easy for him. But your father has said he can stay as long as you need him, and Mindy too.”
“What do you think of him, Uncle Chuck?”
“Your dad?”
Ben nodded.
“Well, I’m really only just getting to know him myself. He seems like a stand-up guy, though. He said he’s taking a leave of absence from his work, but I get the feeling he’s not real happy there.”
“His partner died a while ago, and he had to sell their house to pay off medical expenses. I think he’s had a rough time lately.”
“Maybe a change of scenery is what he needs then. Let him stay, let him help out if he wants. Sometimes taking care of other people can be what somebody needs to heal himself.”
Chapter 18
THOM WAS half awake, wondering why everything felt so strange and constricted, then suddenly he was gasping, wide awake at the pain shooting through his shoulder and arm when he tried to move. He heard voices, all talking at once, and then Ben’s face appeared above him, brown eyes worried and lips moving. Between the background noise and the throbbing in his skull, Thom couldn’t make out what he was saying.
Then Ben was gone and someone was shining a light in his eyes. Thom squinted and tried to look away, but again there was that shooting pain that left him gasping. Then almost as soon as it started, the pain eased and he was able to breathe and make some sense of his surroundings. The man