13 - Bring a Swimsuit

13 - Bring a Swimsuit

James

“Why didn’t you tell me it was this bad?” I asked, trying to rein in the anger and guilt that I felt. “You could’ve told me.”

Clyde didn’t look at me. “I didn’t tell anyone because no one was supposed to know.”

“Clyde,” I said, sitting down on the chair and facing him. “I can help—”

“No,” he answered, finally meeting my eyes. “No, James. You’ve done enough for my family and I can’t—I won’t accept it now. I’ll go back to work as soon as I get out of this damn hospital and it’ll be alright.”

I closed my eyes and leaned back in the chair. It was a mess.

“I take it Mia doesn’t know that her tuition fees for the next semester aren’t paid yet and her father is paying off his debt, so you can’t pay for your own medications.” I glanced around the room and said dryly, “Or the hospital bill.”

Clyde sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. He looked tired and exhausted. At least he was alive. I should be thankful for that.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Promis