Learning To Love

chapter 39

Rain drizzled down the window as Ollie and I sat watching the television. The room smelt like soap and Ollie's wet hair started to spring back into curls as it dried against the pillow. My phone started repeatedly buzzing in my pocket, I looked at Ollie and nudged at the door. He understood that I would be back in a moment after I answered this call.

As I left, I answered and put the phone to my ear.

"Hey, thought I'd update you." Grayson spoke on the line, I could tell he was in his car because his voice sounded far away.

"How's it going?" I walked away from the room to make sure Ollie would not overhear, and sat down on a sofa in a common area that was empty at this time of night.

"Well it's hard to see or find anyway with all the construction going on," his words confused me at first, but then my voice grew an edge to it.

"Construction?" I asked.

"Yeah, all the rooms are closed off and tarped up, didn't know they were doing renovations." He sounded all casual, and I could hear the sound of his blinker going.

"They weren't." I looked at the analog clock hanging above a digital fireplace. 9:30 PM.

"Oh?" His voice became more clear and I guessed he turned his engine off after arriving home.

"What rooms were closed off?" My heart was stuttering in my chest.

"Pretty much the entire basement, I could see through the clear tapes a little, there's furniture everywhere and tubs of paint. The entree way into the garage is also covered with white tarps and green tape." The sound of his car door opening and slamming shut, followed by his footsteps, muffled the microphone for a couple of minutes.

"So, all the rooms I looked in while I was there. I made an excuse that I was searching for Ollie's guitar and snooped around the house a little." I put the phone closer to my mouth and talked more in a whisper.

"Really? That's kinda strange. Such a weird time to start doing renovations too. Like, when your sons are in the hospital, really? What if this is his way of coping with it?" The last sentence made me more angry than it should have.

"Coping? Really? He hasn't even come to the hospital once to see Ollie and it's been two weeks, what could he possibly need to cope with so bad. The guilt of abusing your fucking son!" I snapped and the line was silent for a moment, I thought maybe he had hung up.

"Calm down, I'm still looking into it. I found a basement window with a broken lock. I'll check it out. I didn't have a lot of time tonight because he came home before I could get in." He entered his apartment building and was riding the elevator, I could follow the usual sounds.

"Alright, be careful." I got up from the sofa and started walking towards Ollie's room down the hallway.

"Don't worry, the sound of his key jingling took over the sound of his voice for a moment. You.have to..you canon me, I'm your guy."

"Thank you, goodnight."

"Night buddy!"

I slipped my phone into my pocket as I entered the room. I was hoping Ollie would be asleep, so I hadn't thought about an excuse for the phone call if he asked. Luckily, he only glanced at me and smiled and a pinch of guilt gave me goosebumps over my body.

I sat back down next to him in the hospital bed, it was a little squished, leaving no room between us. He laid his head on my shoulder and brushed his fingers in the palm of my hand. It was the sweetest and most relaxing feeling I've ever felt. Just this small touch sent electricity through my body, and heat to my cheeks.