Bright Lights, Big Christmas(65)

She looked up at Patrick, who shrugged his agreement.

“He really should be in a hospital,” Dr. Oliver repeated, shaking her head. “He needs fluids. See if you can get him to drink some Pedialyte, or even Gatorade.”

She sat in the bedside chair. “Mr. Heinz, I know you can hear me. Are you allergic to any medications?”

“No.”

“Any other health concerns? Heart disease, diabetes?”

“I’m old. That’s my health concern.”

The doctor chuckled. “At least he still has a sense of humor. Okay, I’ll call in a prescription for some antibiotics. Get him warm, keep him quiet and rested. See if you can get some soup in him.” She turned to Patrick. “Text me if you need me. Because of the weather, we’re staying home over the holidays.”

Patrick nodded his thanks, then turned to Kerry. “I hate to go, but I left Austin with Peg, my next-door neighbor.”

“We’ll be okay,” Kerry said. “Can you let Murphy know where I am and what I’m doing? And thank Claudia for brunch?”

He looked at his watch. “As soon as Gretchen gets back, I’ll pick up the prescription and everything else Abby says he needs.”



* * *



“If I take the pills, will you go away?” Heinz fixed Kerry with a baleful stare.

“No chance,” she said.

“I could call the police, have you arrested for trespassing.”

“You don’t have a phone,” Kerry pointed out.

He closed his eyes. End of discussion.

Kerry sat on the chair at his bedside and began scrolling the internet. A short while later, his breaths became steady. He was asleep. When her phone rang, she jumped up with a start and walked quickly outside the apartment.





chapter 46





“Mom?” Kerry’s heart pounded. “What’s wrong? Is it Dad?”

“If you mean is it Jock making me want to set my hair on fire, then, yes, it’s definitely your dad,” Birdie retorted.

“But is he okay?”

“He’s fine. He’s like a cockroach. You can’t kill that man. I just left him and he’s walking around, issuing orders and generally being the same old pain in the ass he’s always been.”

“Really?” Kerry brightened. “But I thought the doctors said—”

“Those doctors don’t know jack about Jock Tolliver. Anyway, he’s healthy enough that I’m going back to my own house today and I’m going to sit down and drink a glass of wine without anybody whining my name and asking me to fetch something. Now, quit stalling and tell me what’s going on with you up there.”

“I’ve got some bad news about Christmas,” Kerry said.

“Murphy called to tell us about what happened to the truck and to Spammy. I told him in no uncertain terms that he can’t just have Spammy melted down for scrap metal, but of course, your daddy sided with your brother and now it’s as good as done. I’m so mad at the two of them I could spit.”

“Mom?” Kerry said, puzzled. “I had no idea Spammy meant that much to you.”

Her mother’s voice was tearful. “Maybe I’m being silly, but I loved that old tin can. And do you want to know why?”

“Yeah.”

Birdie let out a long sigh. “I shouldn’t tell you this, and you better never repeat it, but you were conceived in that doggone trailer.”

Kerry didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Seriously? In Spammy? When?”

“Do the math,” Birdie said. “The week before Christmas 1988, right there at Abingdon Square. Your daddy got into the moonshine, but I can’t remember what got into me.” She giggled. “Well, that’s not exactly true.”

“Mooom,” Kerry exclaimed. “Gross.”

“Never mind,” Birdie said briskly. “Either way, I don’t think you need to worry about waiting on tires for the truck to head home. Just get on a plane. I’ll pay for your ticket.”

Kerry bit her lip and blurted out the rest. “I can’t come home. Not right away. I’ve sort of got a commitment up here.”

“Ohhh.” Birdie laughed. “Your brother mentioned there’s a new man in the picture.”

“Mom, he’s close to ninety if he’s a day,” Kerry protested. “Has no family, lives alone in an almost unheated basement apartment, and he’s got double pneumonia. Somebody has to look after him.”

There was a long pause while her mother worked that out. “Well now, that’s different. I guess you’d better do what you can for the poor soul.”

“I’m sorry to spoil Christmas, but I can’t just walk away and leave Heinz like this.”

“I’d disown you if you did,” Birdie said. “I guess Christmas can wait until we’re all together again.”

Kerry smiled. She should have known her unselfish mother would agree with her decision to stay in the city. “Love you, Mama Bear.”

“Love you more, Baby Bear. Do you have enough clean underwear?”

“I’m thirty-four, Mom. But thanks.”



* * *