UTTER MISERY LURKED INSIDE RICHMOND as he stood over his father’s hospital bed, surrounded by his family. Unconscious, all these tubes were hooked up to Russell’s body. He had no clue how to read the vitals machine over Russell’s bed. The way the big tube sticking from his mouth rocked Russell’s chest made Richmond want to leave the cold room.
His mother, Leslie, wiped her eyes with the tissue in her hand. “I know we argue all the time, but I don’t hate Russell. In a weird kind of way, I love him.”
Suade patted Leslie’s back. “Mom, we know you love Dad. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have him over for dinner every Sunday.”
Leslie cupped Russell’s hand and squeezed. “Russell. It’s me, Leslie. God is in control of this situation. He’s going to pull you through. When you wake up, you’re going to be a brand new man. A better man. A stronger man.”
Refusing to cry, Richmond’s eyes burned. For his mother to have the heart to forgive Russell after all the horrible things he’d done to her, she was a strong, remarkable woman. And he had a woman just like his mother—Kay. “I’m so proud of you, Mom.”
Tears came into her eyes. “Why?”
“You don’t even realize it. Your ability to forgive Dad is what has kept this family together for all these years.”
Pursing her lips together, Leslie’s head tilted. “Your dad may not make the best decisions all the time. And Lord knows he’s selfish, and sometimes he can be ruthless, but he really does have a good heart. Sometimes he makes the wrong decisions, but in his mind it’s for the right reasons.”
“Do you think he’s going to pull through?” Suade asked his mother.
Sniffing, Leslie released a light laugh. “Of course he will. Russell Spaulding is too darn stubborn to die.”
Richmond’s baby brother, Dirk, emerged inside the room. “How’s Dad?” Sorrow laced his deep voice.
“Dirk,” his mother said on a sob. She held out her arms. “How’s my baby doing?” Dirk stalked up to Leslie, threw his arms around her shoulders, and broke down. “Ah, Dirk. Don’t cry. Your father is going to be just fi—”
Russell’s body jerked. His eyes flew open. His hands gripped the thick tube inside his mouth, and he yanked it out. “Di…dir…” Sounding like he was trying to mutter Dirk’s name, Russell’s words trailed off. The vitals machine bleeped. The green numbers on the machine blinked sporadically.
“Oh Lord! Somebody get the doctor!” Leslie shouted.
With his heart beating rapidly inside his chest, Richmond fled from the room and ran down the hallway. Running toward the nurse’s station, a flock of doctors and nurses ran past him and directly into his father’s room. Out of breath, he leaned his back up against the wall and hoped for the best.