I had several requests for more of this story, which was always my intent.
You know writers though. Ideas spawn ideas, and suddenly, you've got fifteen stories in various stages of incubation. Okay, more like twenty, but who's counting.
I apologize for making you wait.
Thanks for reading, and please cast your votes when you're done. Send me some feedback if you'd like, and let me know if you have anything to add to future chapters.
As always, all characters are over the age of eighteen.
***********************
"So... Mom... Dad, what brings you here?"
I know... It was a lame thing to say, but they surprised me, and my mind was busy trying to figure out what to tell them.
About my plans... about my feelings... about having a girlfriend just three years younger than Mom... What to tell them about Grace?
"Oh, we were just in the neighbourhood, and thought we'd stop by," Dad said. "What do you think we're doing here, you bone head?" He would normally have punctuated a statement like that with a playful cuff to the back of my head, but being fragile, and in the hospital, I was saved from his usual routine.
"We're here to help you get home," Mom said, casting a nasty look at Dad. "I've missed my baby. The nice hospital people called and said you would be ready to travel soon... as soon as a week, if you had help for the trip. So here we are."
Mom leaned down and gave me a big hug. As much as their arrival had thrown a monkey wrench in my plans, the truth is that I had missed them. Mom always took such good care of me.
"We're going to be here for about an hour," she continued, "then we need to go and get settled in our hotel. I didn't want to wait one minute longer than necessary to see my boy."
The rest of that hour was pretty much a blur. We rehashed the accident, which had been covered in multiple phone calls before. Mom filled me in on the weather back at home, which had been terrible. Dad regaled me with the exploits of his business partner, Morty, and his new girlfriend, getting caught half naked in an elevator... by his rabbi. You know, the usual.
They promised to bring me something better than hospital food for lunch, and left me with my thoughts. I wasn't very good company right now, so it's just as well I was alone, brooding over the 'no-win scenario' I now faced.
***
Mom and Dad came back after they'd checked into their hotel. We were chatting about nothing in particular, when a familiar figure, dressed in white, appeared in the doorway. She hesitated, evaluating her next move. I saw her, but Mom and Dad hadn't yet. She looked concerned.
Mom finally noticed her, so Grace just walked in. My concern... that she might introduce herself, and tell them about our feelings for each other... was assuaged when I saw her nurse persona was firmly in control. She picked up my chart, and stepped over to take my pulse and blood pressure, both of which were a little high.
I wonder why?
While checking my pulse, she slyly pressed a small piece of paper into my hand, and I tucked it under my leg for safe keeping until later.
With her official business concluded, she put the chart back, and extended her hand.
"You must be Mr. and Mrs. Richardson," she said evenly. "Brian has been a very good patient. We'll miss him around here."
Those words hurt. Not only because I would miss her, but because I knew it would hurt her too. I didn't want to go.
Of course, Dad had to take the opportunity to give me a shot.
"He was good? Well, there's a first time for everything, isn't there?" he said, smiling at me. Mom was less obnoxious, and more grateful.
"Thank you so much for taking such good care of our son. So far from home, I worried about him. Knowing he was getting taken care of by such caring people really eased my mind. Thank you. Thank you," she said, taking Grace's hand.
I hoped that Mom would still be grateful when she found out how much 'special' attention I'd received from my buxom angel of mercy. Somehow, I doubted that would be the case.
Pleasantries exchanged, Grace turned and left, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. I watched her leave, and she reappeared on the other side of the hall, out of sight of my parents, but where I could still see her. Her eyes were begging. I made eye contact, and gave a subtle nod. She blew me a kiss, and left.
The rest of the afternoon was an uneventful blur. I admit I was distracted. My mind was busy trying to figure a way out of this mess. At last, visiting hours ended, and my parents left, giving me the opportunity to read the note that had been burning a hole in my leg. I opened the neatly folded paper.
"I'll be here at 8 with the limo. Love nest is waiting. I want you. I need you. I Love You." While the sentiments were exactly what my heart wanted to hear, and it foretold another evening of sweaty, sexual bliss with my darling, it also made the future more painful. I was either going to disappoint my Mother and Father, or the woman I loved.
Some choice.
***
7:52, and my ride arrived early, as Grace rolled in to pick me up. Apparently, traffic was light.
