I can’t see anything through the tears. My heart’s racing and I feel like my legs are about to give out. All I can manage is, “Her mother’s dead, and her father’s a drunk.”
This time she shows no sign of astonishment. “I understand, sir, but we still need to notify a next of kin.”
Stu leans in, just in front of me. “The boy’s right. Her mother passed away a couple of years ago, and when that happened, her father fell apart. He’s an alcoholic and most likely passed out. I instructed my brother to go there and to bring him here, so we are just waiting on their arrival.”
I look to Stu, and he gives a quick glance then looks back to the woman as she speaks. “Thank you, but we do need to speak to him as soon as he arrives. He’ll need to sign medical release forms.”
“For what?” I ask.
“Sir, I’m sorry, but that’s something I cannot discuss with you.”
“Why?”
Stu shakes his head. “Dylan, you know her hands are tied. We’ll just have to wait for Velyn’s father to get here. Besides, she’s already told us they’re still taking care of Velyn and your brother. Come sit down, and as soon as they have any answers on either of them, I’m sure we’ll hear something.”
He walks me back to the little room where we have left Joan. She stands as soon as she sees us. “What are they saying? What’s going on?”
Stu moves to his wife’s side, taking her by the shoulders and guiding her back down to her seat. “Nothing yet, my love. They each have a team of doctors and nurses with them. Velyn’s father should be on his way and—” he turns to me. “Are your parents coming, Dylan?”
I look to him; I never thought about making any calls. “I don’t have a mother, and I haven’t called my father.”
Stu nods in understanding. “Dylan, you need to call him. He’s going to have to be here in case any decisions for Chase need to be made.”
“I’m—” I take in a deep breath. “I’m listed as his guardian. My father transferred all his rights to me, so it would be easier when it came to signing things for Chase until he turned eighteen. My father’s always away, so at the time, it made sense.”
“I understand, but Dylan, you should still call him,” Stu advises.
I take a moment, then pull out my phone and dial my father’s number.
“Dylan? Why are you calling?” My father’s voice comes out abruptly over the speaker.
“Dad, it’s Chase.” The tremble in my voice doesn’t seem to alarm him.
“What about Chase? If this is about that damn girl; Dylan, I don’t have time—”
The anger inside me builds quickly. “He’s been in a bad accident, Dad. A horrible accident.”
My father lets out a growl. “I don’t have time for this nonsense. Deal with whatever drama your brother has created; I’m too busy for this.”
Stu leans in. “Mr. Dandridge, you’re not understanding. Your son was in a life-threatening accident. This isn’t something that Dylan should be dealing with alone.”
My father lets out a frustrated breath. “Who is this?”
“Stu Harris. Velyn works at my diner, but she’s like a daughter to me.”
A forced chuckle leaves my father’s mouth. “Then I suggest you concern yourself with her and leave my sons to me. If Dylan can’t handle this on his own, then I guess I was right in my earlier assumptions. Dylan, I’m busy; you know that. Deal with this.”
My father ends the call, and when I glance to Stu, he looks as though someone just told him the most off the wall story. “Is he serious. He’s not coming?”
“Nope.” I shake my head. “Unless it’s going to make him money, there’s not a chance in hell.”
Stu lets out a breath. “Is there anyone else you can call that can be here with you. Joan and I won’t leave, but I think you need someone else close to you.”
I shrug. “There’s Connie.”
“Is she an aunt?”
“No, she’s our housekeeper, but she’s the one that pretty much raised us. She’s sort of like a mother.”
“Then you need to call her. She needs to be here,” Stu advises.
I nod and thumb through my contacts, hitting Connie’s number. When she answers the phone, you can tell she knows something’s wrong. “Mi hijo, what is it?”
“Connie, Chase has been in an accident. It’s bad.”
She breaks out in tears. “My precious boy; where is my precious boy?” I try to swallow past the lump in my throat to answer her, but nothing comes out. “Mi amor, where is my boy?”
Stu finally jumps in. “Hi, this is a friend of Velyn’s...we’re at County General.”
“Velyn? Is she okay?” Connie asks.
“Connie, please get here...I need you here,” I let out in between choked sobs.
“I’m on my way.”
I end the call. I know it fixes nothing, but Stu was right, just knowing that she’ll be here gives me some comfort that I won’t be alone.
“My brother just text, he has Velyn’s father and they’re on the way, but it’ll be a good hour before they get here,” Stu says.
“I can’t just sit here. I need to do something. My father’s right, I need to deal with this,” I let out in frustration.
“Dylan, there’s nothing you or I can do. I know it’s hard, and you feel helpless, but we have to be patient,” Stu says, then standing to his feet, he
