And as Karen said, at one o’clock the doctor came by and examined Ireland, inspecting her wrist and feeling her head for any soft areas. When he was done, he declared her free to go.
“So, I’m staying at the Double Tree hotel, let’s go there and then we can get you some clothes.”
“I want to go home. Please, let me go home,” Ireland begged. “Besides, I have clothes there.”
I had no clue what the right thing to do was. She was wearing kid-size scrubs in a muted, military green. They were ugly, but they were cute on her. So, it wasn’t as if she didn’t have anything to wear out of here, so we could technically go to either place. But, then again, I wasn’t all that sure that her being in that house was a great idea.
Would it hurt or help her to be in a familiar space?
If it helped, it would help a lot, but if it hurt, I could always just take her somewhere else. “Yes, we can go to your house. But if you want to leave, just say the word. Okay?”
“Thank you.”
We made our way out of the hospital and out to my car. “Are you supposed to have a booster seat or something?”
She gave me a you-are-an-idiot look. “I’m seven, I don’t have to sit in a booster seat. Do you see the size of me?”
“Yeah. What’s wrong with your size?”
“Sheesh. I’m ginormous. I’m the tallest kid in Sunday school. Jonah, he’s ten and in the fifth grade, he was the tallest until we joined the church, now I am.”
I held up my hands in surrender, “Okay, no booster seat, I’m sorry.”
We got into the car and punched her address into my GPS before pulling out of the parking lot.
“Hey, I need to call my assistant, okay?”
Ireland nodded as she stared out the window.
“Hey, boss, what’s up?” Heidi answered.
“You’re on speaker, Ireland is here with me. She was released from the hospital.”
“Oh, that’s so wonderful.” Heidi’s voice had turned bright, as if she were standing in front of Ireland and smiling down at her.
“Yes, it is. She wants to go to her house, so we are going to head there.”
“Is that where you are going to stay the rest of your trip?” Heidi asked.
“I believe so, it’s what she wants.” I glanced over at Ireland, who was nodding.
“No worries. I’ll get it all taken care of and call you back in a few with the details.” Heidi hung up, and I drove in silence, Ireland peering out the window, occasionally lifting her unbroken hand to wipe at her cheeks.
When we pulled into the driveway of her house, I didn’t know what to expect. I got out and followed her closely. Her head was held high, her back straight, but if it weren’t for her fingers, even the ones sticking out from her cast, I’d never know that she was nervous. Her fingers moved as if she were tapping along to a song I couldn’t hear. Slowly, I took one of her hands in mine, and she looked up at me and nodded. A silent gesture, she was ready. I unlocked the house and stepped in; Ireland took off running toward a room down a hallway. I assumed it was hers.
Aaron
“Hey, Heidi.”
“Hey, boss, Okay, I called the attorney, Jameson Lane, and got the address of where you’ll be staying.”
“I could have given that to you.”
“You have enough on your plate, besides, you’re paying us.” I shook my head but was really thankful that she was handing this for me. “I’ve called the Double Tree and taken care of everything there, they will send all of your belongings out to you.”
“Wow.”
“Don’t be impressed, it cost you.”
“Of course it did.” No surprise, everything seemed to cost. “I need some recipes and shit, you know, I have to get her food and don’t exactly want to go out.”
“Already taken care of. I set up with a local restaurant to deliver meals to you. Just keep in touch with me so I know if we need to adjust the times, but right now, I have breakfast and lunch being delivered at seven in the morning and dinner and snacks will be brought by around six.”
“I so don’t pay you enough,” I groaned.
“You do, normally you barely use me, so we can consider this you catching up a little with your two years of overpayments. We’re good.”
I let out a long, pent-up breath. “I’m worried.” I slid my hand through my hair and took a seat, doubting myself for the first time.
“It’s going to work out, you are doing what’s right, I believe that with my whole heart.”
“But I don’t have anything at my house for her.”
“You have several extra bedrooms that are furnished; they’ll be perfect until the two of you can go shopping. It will be a great time to bond, let her choose her decor.”
“You’re right. Hey, I’ll have to call you back, someone’s at the door.”
“It should be dinner.” I glanced at my watch, shocked that it was already six in the evening. “Call if you need anything,” Heidi said and disconnected.
I opened the front door, and the kid’s eyes in front of me slowly moved up, up, up, taking in my height. “You’re . . . you’re Aaron Skkye, aren’t you?”
“Come on in, what do I owe you?” I led him to the kitchen so he could drop off the banker-style box he was carrying.
“Nothing, it was all paid for including the tip.”
“If you promise to keep it quiet, yes, I’m Aaron Skkye.”
“I promise. My parents own the restaurant, so I’ll be delivering your stuff. Would you mind signing one of your rookie cards if I bring it with me next time I come?”
“Not at all. But, remember, I need you to keep my being here quiet. I’m here for a funeral and would prefer not to have a crowd.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss, sir.” The kid was more polite than
