Memory in a Bottle

Jace

I park my mustang outside the hospital. I dropped ma off at the house so she could start making dinner. She took the ring and hid it in her room so that Delilah wouldn't find it yet. I get out of the car and headed inside. As soon as my gaze hits a man touching Delilah, my feet falter. That cannot be him. I was told he died several years ago in a car accident. But he was dead to me for a lot longer than that. As soon as he and his wife threw Delilah in a Group home was when they both died in my eyes. My gaze quickly goes to Delilah. Her whole face is red, and her eyes are swollen from the tears that is flowing down her face. She looks like a hot mess. She looks fragile and pissed. Right then I knew she needed me to intervene. I kept walking till I reached her side. I turn to look at her, my back to her father.

"Come on, love. Let's get you fixed up." I say putting my hand on her arm. She looks at me and I know she's holding a lot back. She gives me a sad smile and shakes her head. My heart breaks for her, she doesn't need to put herself here. She doesn't need him; he's only hurting her. Secretly I know she is torturing herself, putting herself through situations that will eventually make her feel so numb that she won't have to feel anything anymore. "Delilah..." I warn. Her eyes flicker between me and her dad.

"He's upstairs in room 208." She tells her father.

"Alright, Lilly-Bug." Pure anger flows through me when he calls her, her childhood nickname. She's not his anymore. He doesn't deserve to call her that anymore he lost that right when he gave her up to the Group home. Once I heard him walk away, I grab Delilah's arm and haul her into my mustang.

"Lilah love why didn't you tell me?" I ask wiping her face with wipes that I have in the glovebox.

"I-I didn't know he was still alive. He was only here to visit Dexter. He couldn't find me to bring me back." She whispers and I know shes still breaking.

"I am so sorry. I left you alone for one second and now you are upset and crying. I left you happy and now you aren't. What can i do to make you feel better?" She perks up and swats my hands away from cleaning her face.

"Why did you leave?" She asks suspiciously.

"I had to get something for ma. She needed me to pick something up for dinner tonight." She gives me a funny look and I laugh. "What? I'm telling you the truth!" She rolls her eyes and crawls on my lap. I cradle her and she relaxes in my arms. A little too much. Her breathing becomes slow and relaxing. I realize she must've been tired. Man, I wish she can take a nap with me holding her, but we have to get somewhere more comfortable than the car. "Love, hey, you can't take a nap yet. Let's get back to Dex's room and I promise you can take a nap there." She stirs and gets up. I hold her hand and lead my zombie to Dexter's room.

We enter the room and I notice that only Dexter was here. Interesting. He nods a t me and I guide her to the couch next to Dexter's bed. I sit down and plop her next to me. She gets comfortable and she passes out several minutes later. I relax and watch the TV show Dexter has on.

"She tired?" He asks a few minutes into the show.

"Very. She exhausted herself after seeing your guy's father." I whisper.

"Yeah, he visited me. He looked like he went through hell and back. I figured he found out that Delilah knows we are siblings. My mother didn't want me or Delilah to ever meet. I don't know why but that's what happened."

"Is he still here or did he leave?"

"He's still here. He just went to get something to eat. Listen, I didn't know he is here, nor did I know that he is alive. I thought she was safe and she wanted to find a male nurse."

"I know. Why male nurse?" I ask confused. He chuckles.

"Well, you see I'm trying to flirt with a female nurse, so that I can get outta here. I guess Delilah felt bad for me or those girls and so she searched for a Doctor who isn't a female." I laugh quietly and he chuckles along with me. Then he abruptly stops and sighs. "I just want to get outta here, man." He says sadly.