Keeper

Chapter 43

I turned my head to see a woman crying, her young son beside her.  Who I assumed to be her husband was standing by the corner, his back to everyone.  His fists were clenched.

Harry wrapped his arm around my waist.  "Come on,"  He said.  I nodded.

On our way to C-290 Harry's grip tightened, and just when I was about to ask what the problem was he shouted out,  "Mr. Cunningham?"

Mr. Cunningham, undeniably Ben's father, looked up.  The shock on his face was unmissable.

"Harry,"  He said, walking over towards us.

"How's Ben?"  Harry asked, letting go of my waist.  He raised his hand for Ben's father to shake.

"Stable,"  He nodded.  "He's stable."

"Is the damage bad?"  Harry asked.

No, not at all.   It was a miracle actually.  Only a few broken ribs."

"Shit,"  Harry mumbled.

"Considering the car was overturned, we're both lucky.  It could of been much worse.”

“Is he awake?”  I asked.

Ben’s father turned to me, and it dawned on me almost immediately that he didn't have a single clue who I was.  I reached out my hand for him to shake.

“Harley—uh—Patterson.  Harley Patterson.”

He shook my hand and sent me a nod,  “Nice to meet you, I’m Ben’s father.  But you can call me Chip.”

I heard Harry snort beside me.  “Chip?  I thought you hated Chip.  You always told me to call you Mr. Cunningham.”

Ben’s father smiled.  “I’ve grown to like it.”  Then he turned back to me.  “Yeah, Benny’s awake.  Still a little out of it, I think.  But he sure is awake, that I do know.”

I nodded.  “Thanks.”

Then Chip clapped his hands together.  “Well, I’m gonna go grab two waters.  Does anybody want one?”

“I’ll get two, for me and Harley,”  Harry spoke.  “But I’m gonna pay so—”

“No, Harry, it’s fine.  I’ll handle it.”  Chip said with a wave of his hand, already beginning to walk away.

“I’m coming.”  Harry concluded.  “End of story.”  Then he turned to me.  “Harley, go check on Ben, yeah?”

I nodded.

“Fine,”  Chip laughed.  “We can talk about your tattoos on the way there.”

At room C-290, I walked through the already open door, shutting it behind me.

The sound must of stirred Ben because he opened his once closed eyes.  His head was resting on a puffy pillow, his hospital gown hidden underneath a thin sheet used as a blanket.

"I thought your father said you were awake,"  I laughed.

"Harley,"  Ben mumbled.  "What are you doing here?"

"Visiting."  I answered simply.

"Is Harry here?"  He asked.

I nodded.  "Yes, but he's at the vending machine with your father."

He nodded back.  And then he gestered to the chair beside him.

"Sit down,"  He said.  "I mean, you might as well, right?"

"Thanks."  I laughed, taking a seat.

And then I noticed the look on his face.  It was one of those looks.  The unsure look.