Lost and Found in Lavender Bay (The Lavender Bay Chronicles #2)

45. Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Two

O nce Everett was weaned off the ventilator, he was groggy but complained that his throat was sore. The nurse explained it was from the ventilator tube.

Maureen and Allan had discussed over breakfast how they were going to approach him. He had to go into rehab. But getting him to agree to go, to see that it was in his best interest, was going to be a challenge.

In the meantime, Maureen’s phone had been bombarded with texts from her mother, her sisters, her aunt, her cousins, and friends. The news had apparently spread like wildfire. At this point, she didn’t care. She wasn’t going to hide it anymore. She wanted it out in the open. She needed all her energy to help her son; she couldn’t waste it on maintaining a fa?ade, pretending everything was fine within her family when it wasn’t. On the way to the hospital, she responded to as many texts as she could.

They’d agreed to handle Everett with care but be firm, as Allan had said.

Maureen agreed but did not want to be aggressive .

Allan looked over at her. “Aren’t you angry?”

“Of course I am. What would make you think I wasn’t?” She was angry that her son had decided that these were going to be his life choices. “But I don’t think coming on like gangbusters is the answer either.”

They found Everett out of bed and sitting in the chair, dressed in a hospital gown. He wore a second one as a bathrobe. She made a mental note to bring some of his clothes from home. His breakfast tray was on the table in front of him. A quick glance showed he’d eaten much of his meal, which Maureen took as a good sign. The good signs were slim on the ground, and she had to take them where she could get them.

As soon as they entered the room, Maureen went to him and kissed his forehead. When she stepped back, he hung his head.

“How are you, Everett?” Allan asked. He indicated to Maureen that she should take the other unoccupied chair.

In a voice barely above a whisper, Everett said, “I’m okay.”

“You gave us quite a fright, you know,” said Allan.

“I know.”

“We almost lost you,” Allan told him.

“I know. The doctors told me.”

“Did they?”

Everett nodded. “They were in earlier this morning to talk to me. Told me I was dead for a few minutes.”

In a wobbly voice, Maureen said, “That is a hell I never want to go through again.”

He looked up at her. “Okay, Mom.”

“Maybe you should apologize to your mother,” Allan suggested .

Irritated, Maureen put up her hand. “That’s not necessary.”

Sighing, Allan said in a placatory tone, “All right.”

Maureen chose her words carefully. “Everett, I know you’ve said you can stop taking drugs, but can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Do you want to quit?”

It took him a moment, but finally he said, “Yes.”

Allan let out the breath he was holding. “That’s encouraging.”

Maureen leaned forward in her chair. “Will you go into rehab?”

Everett bent his head. “Yes.”

Maureen and Allan let out a collective sigh.