“Easy, brother,” Snake said.
Dale looked at Jessica. “Ma’am, I need to get back to my room. But… if you want, you could bring him by to visit? If it helps?”
Dale carefully transferred Emmett back to his mother. The toddler started to fuss, reaching for Dale. “Dale. Dale. Dale.”
“I know, buddy,” Dale said, his voice gentle. “But I’m real tired. That medicine makes me sleepy. You understand being tired, right?”
Emmett nodded, his lip trembling.
“Tell you what,” Dale said. “You be brave and let your mama hold you. Get some more rest. And tomorrow, if your mama brings you to my room, I’ll make the rumble sound again. Deal?”
“Deal,” Emmett repeated, though he clearly didn’t want Dale to leave.
Snake and Bull helped Dale out of the room. He could barely walk. The chemo and the six hours sitting had wrecked him. But he was smiling as his brothers helped him back to his treatment room.
They got him back to his bed. The nurse who’d brought his IV to him was waiting, along with her supervisor.
“Mr. Murphy,” the supervisor said sternly. “You violated hospital policy by leaving your treatment area and—”
The supervisor’s face changed. She looked at Nurse Patricia, who nodded confirmation.
“The child?” the supervisor asked.Continue reading…
