@BadBoyEmbryCall -

Happened?’ It was a good question. Rubbing my face my eyes went to Ma and then the soda.

“I wasn’t there.” I told him.

‘I call bull shit.’ He said matter of factly.

“That’s your choice.” I returned in the same tone.

‘All this growth, and you still can’t see it… that you can’t stop us all from making stupid decisions. But you can help us learn from them HotHead. I know. I’m speaking from experience.’

I gave him a look and he just smirked holding the pizza box up.

@HotHeadSheWolf
#Seth and I talked for a long time. We were both really curious about how her injury actually occurred but I told him there was no piont trying to figure that out, we needed to head that from #Sue when she was well enough.

I sent the kid to bed and then I get myself another drink settling on the couch. I scrolled through the group chat. It seemed like all the other were beng very careful about flooding the chat with question, there was only a few an then and message. >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< from Jake telling everyone that she should be dischrged tomorrow and she was in pain but it was being managed. That was one thing about #Jake he didn’t lie to them, he didn’t tell them everything was fine just aasured them that it would be.

It was hard to do it the way he did. In cases like #Sue’s it wasn’t easier, he would heal… but in cases like my Mom’s when she was really sick I had no idea how he kept them all so calm.

Sure it was their mom… Most of them never met >

@BadBoyEmbryCall

#Paul made me rest my head on the couch and took watch if Ma, I couldn’t sleep so he handed me a book and told me to read.

The words were dancing on the page as my eyes kept going to ma when I thought I head her move, shift or moan in pain. But it was all in my head.

At about 3am there was a new scent coming towards us and then #Sam was stood in the room, kissing Ma’s forehead and telling #Paul to go home.

I sat up narrowing my eyes at him.

‘Don’t look at me like that-

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

You know this is where I want to be.’

I shook my head. “You need to be at home with your wife and baby boy.”

‘I was, I dropped them off to Neah Bay, she wanted to visit home before she starts showing. So, there is where I need to be.’

He took the seat #Paul vacated. ‘Paul said you weren’t sleeping. Close your eyes Lee. I’m here for Sue.’

I lay back down, watching him from behind. This was my Ma. She loved people so much, that they were showing up for her now.

@HotHeadSheWolf
I woke up with my feet hanging off the edge of the couch at five AM and by five thirty I had given up on the possibility of falling back to sleep. I sat up and ran my hand over my face and through my hair, shaking away the remnants of sleep... the soft breathing from the other side of the house told me Seth was still sleeping. Good... but I knew it wouldn't be long.

I text Leah [𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚎? 𝚃𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚖𝚎 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚝 𝚋𝚢 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙸 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚙 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 >

@HotHeadSheWolf
<𝚍𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚛. 𝚂𝚎𝚝𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚘𝚔𝚊𝚢. 𝙷𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍.]

I didn't need to ask her how she was. I knew what the answer was and I knew what the answer she would tell me was too. I also had a feeling she knew she'd been on my mind all night too.

I pulled on my jeans but stayed barefoot, wanting to let #Seth sleep as long as his worried mind would allow. His kitchen wasn't a carbon copy of #Sue's Like his >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< sister's was, but it was still tidy and had a semblance of order.

I turned on his coffee maker and poured myself a bowl of cereal just as I heard a car pulling up... but it didn't pull into the driveaway. Then there was a crunching of gravel beneath feet and a hushed reprimand of 'Will you wait in the car... you sound like a baby elephant stomping up the driveway!' I laughed silently.

Emily.

And bacon.

I abandoned my cereal without a second thought and opened

@HotHeadSheWolf
< the door to find #Sam and #Emily whisper-yelling at one another at the end of the drive. Though, #Sam had a huge goofy grin on his face as he taunted his wife just enough that she didn't quite get mad at him for real.

A dangerous game to play with a pregnant woman. I laughed again when they noticed me and #Seth's bedroom door opened. 'Do I smell bacon?'

@BadBoyEmbryCall

I wasn’t sure what the time was when I made #Sam leave, He could spend all night sat here, and the sun would be out soon, bringing in a new dawn with it.

Ma woke up and with her sleepy eyes gave me a small smile. ‘You didn’t need to stay here Usdi. I’m a big girl now.’ She said as I help her out of bed to the bathroom. She drew the line at letting me help her inside saying. ‘I am the mother here!’ And even though I could given some form of a witty reply, -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

I knew now wasn’t the time.

Leaning on the wall, I took out my phone when it buzzed reading the text on the screen. Something in my stomach twisted as I typed out a reply.

[ 𝚄𝚙 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝚂𝚘 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚜𝚒𝚐𝚗? 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙽𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝙼𝚊’𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚜. 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚍𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜. 𝙸𝚝’𝚜 𝚘𝚔𝚊𝚢. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚔𝚒𝚍. 𝙷𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚘𝚔𝚊𝚢 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎. -𝙻 ]

-

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

Hitting send I pocketed the phone as I head the flush go and then the tap turn on. I helped Ma back into bed as I nurse came in with some more meds. ‘Mrs Clearwater, you are looking bright this morning.’ She was full of energy for this time in the morning, However I have to give her credit. The woman was like a wave of lightening looking over Ma, her meds and then telling her to sleep.

@HotHeadSheWolf
< ‘We can’t stay, my cousin is in the house with Kishil, he’s still sleeping and #Sam has work.’ Se explained. That meant the #Bear was here, I forgotten she was visiting tonight. #Emily told us there was breakast and muffins for us and #Leah and few treats for she with some cleverly disguised flaxseeds and oats to give her a boost. Then she was on her way.

#Seth was laying out the food in the basket and I pulled out my phone to reply to #Leah. [Business as usual! Okay… let me>

@HotHeadSheWolf
< Rephrase; I will be helping with the delivery at the bar. If you still want to help the cool, we’ll be done twice as fast and you can get some sleep. Or you can let Mac and I help out and just get some sleep. Its up to you.]

I had already texted him to tell him I could out he refused at first but I convinced him it was a good plan and he agreed easily.

“We should eat and then you need to shower and head to the hospital and try to convince Leah to get a few hours of sleep.” >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< #Seth agreed and we tucked into our food, Leaving the box for #Leah well wrapped.

Then we both started to get ready Just like it was on cue #Quil showed up with a back pack of clothes and a little hellraiser on his back. ‘Bry!!!!’ She cried and reached out for me to take her beofre #Quil could even say hello. she was far to big for this, maybe becasue we never told her she was getting big for it she just never stopped… I mean that was why people stopped picked their >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< kids up like this, right? They got too heavy. But not to us.

I scooped her off my bestfriends back and hugged her, her leg dangling in the air and she squeezed with all her might. ‘Quil said you needed a Bear hug.’ She whispered and kissed my cheek. ‘“I always need a Bear hug.” I told her and kissed her cheek a half dozen times.

‘Where is mine!?” #Seth called out, coming out of the bathroom fully dressed with wet hair.

@BadBoyEmbryCall

[Lee, we got this. The Bar is covered you don’t need to come of worry about it, just spoke to Seth and Embry too. He is coming to help me.] I re-read the text from #Mac. And I knew that news was spreading. People were slowly starting to wake up and hear that Ma was taken to hospital.

-

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

Just as I was about to hit reply. Embry’s reply came in and I rolled my eyes. “These men are trying to gang up.”

Replying to Mac [Thanks, I owe you and will pay up I promise. -L] Hitting send.

Then reply again this time to Embry. [You always have the answers don’t you. Thank you for helping. It means a lot. -L].

This was something new, help… Accepting it and not feeling like I had failed. ‘You are learning on your journey.’ My wolf whispered as she watched Ma with me.-

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

turning his chair to me and scolding me for trying to always do things alone.

“I wasn’t alone. The Kid was here, Ms C. Quil, Embry.. Jack and Ness too! And then Paul and Sam came…” I stopped because the door opened and #Jay was stood there.

‘I just got off my run.’ His eyes went from Ma to Billy and then to me. ‘What did I miss?’

@HotHeadSheWolf
#Bear wriggled and jumped down to run and give #Seth a hug. and she started to bombard him with questions about #Sue. And to his credit with each answer he seemed to relax more, like the act of explaining it all delicately yet honestly was making him start to see that his Mom was really going to be okay.

"I'm sorry man... It completely slipped my mind that #Claire was coming." I whispered to #Quil.

'Don't worry about it. As long we can pick up some slack for Leah and Seth >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< that's all that matters.' He whispered back as #Seth deflected questions about visiting her in the hospital but he told her she was coming home today and we'd have to wait and see how she was feeling.

That was when #Quil decided to rescue him. 'C'mon #ClaireBear. Let's go home and make Auntie #Sue a card or something.'

I waited for a teenage eyeroll and the retort that she was too old for arts and crafts, but she smiled and agreed... because of course she did. This was >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< #Seth got another hug and then it was my turn. 'Are you going to be home later?' #Bear asked.

"Sorry Little Bear I had to change my shift so I could be at the hospital the #Sue, But I'll work things out and make sure I can at least have dinner with you guys. And you can wake up first thing in the morning and we'll do something fun." She beamed... I would have woken up when she did anyway as I always gave up my room for Claire when she stayed. It just made sense since I was >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< the one coming home between two and four in the morning.

After they felt Seth and I finished up I skipped the shower because I was going to need one before work after my run anyway... Though the hospital smell was still lingering. but that was probably in my head because I was so tired of that smell after all the trips with Mom.

I drove #Seth back to his Mom's and get his truck and we went out separate ways with a hug and the promise he would text me if he needs >

@BadBoyEmbryCall

The morning rounds started with the nurses coming in to check on Ma and how she has slept. They offered her some breakfast which she hadn’t hardly toughed. #Jay and #Billy refused to go home when Ma told them that she would be fine. However, they did go outside when the Doctor finally arrived to check.

He was happy with her sticks, with the sleep she had, he told us his blood count was up, however he also told her that she needed to eat before they would let her go. -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

Ma smiled her trademark smile saying that she would eat something nice and big once she was home and showered. She didn’t like to have her breakfast before she showered. So, I didn’t push. This was when I knew that she would be okay.

The minute the doctor was done with his work, she started to quiz him on why there was no ring on his finger. And I closed my eyes and counted to five before she said. “My daughter Leah, she’s right there behind you. -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

She is single too. She is such an amazing young lady.” And I wanted to ground to open up.

When I opened my eyes, they were both looking at me, and the doctor for once had the look that said. “I get it, my mom does the same to me.”

This time I didn’t even have a go at Ma when he and the nurses left. I didn’t care what she did, as long as she was here, fit and healthy. When #Billy and #Jay returned I asked if they could stay with Ma and make sure she eats her breakfast. -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

‘Where are you going Usdi?’ Ma asked, I kissed her head.

“I need to go and pay the bill Ma, I will be right back.” Kissing her head again, I left the room.

I had only gone a few steps when I hear #Billy calling out my name from behind. Worried something had happened I ran back to him.

“What happened? Is…” He held up a leather wallet. “What is this, Billy?” I asked

-

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

‘It’s what I have at home. Jake is going to the bank right now and will be back as soon as he has taken out what we have. Together we will pay this bill Lealea.”

I swallowed down that hard lump in my throat again. My hand on the wallet I lowered it to his chest. I knew how hard he and Jake saved. -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

This money would be the reason what Jake would be happy to leave Billy. Knowing that his dad had something to fall back on.

“Billy, you have nothing to worry about. I have the money. The bill won’t be that much.” He gave me that look. He knew what the care in this hospital would put us back. “Have faith in my Billy. I have Ma covered. I have this covered. But…” I bent down on my knees to come eye to eye with him. “Thank you. Thank you for offering.”

@HotHeadSheWolf
I stepped out when I parked the Jeep at the front of the HWH, I stepped out. I could hear the truck approaching, but only barely SO I pulled out my phone and typed back to Leah:

[𝙰 𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝙹𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝙷𝚊𝚢𝚎𝚜' 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗.]

Then a second one:

[𝙼𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝟸]

I smirked and made my way around to the back of the bar the double door were open and Mac walked out just as got there.

'What are you smirking about?' He asked. 'Good news from the hospital?'

"Yeah... >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< #MrsClearwater is coming home today... but it could be a long few weeks of recovery. But I was just telling Leah she owes a few beers for helping out." I laughed ryly... just in case my expression gave any other ideas.

'How do figure that will work considering she insisted she could be here and she could handle it?' Mas teased as the truck pulled carefully around the building.

"Doesn't matter... Leah hates to think she owes someone. Even is she didn't ask... she still >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< has the reward hard work." I smirked. It was true... she wouldn't really owe me... but it was how she saw things so if a few beers evened the scales I would drink them with gusto!

Mac tossed me a pair of work gloves and I pulled them on just the play human while we worked. "Alright, then boss... tell me where you want these?"

We got stuck in, I moved what the driver unloaded inside where Mac told me to take them while he checked everything off a list.

@BadBoyEmbryCall

[𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚒𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚍. 𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎, 𝙸 𝚊𝚖 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞.]

I read Lucky’s text twice before pocketing my phone and stepping out of the elevator on the Admin floor. Feeling useless in this building whenever I came into it. Until I realised that I could help people by taking the pressure off of them when it came to this finally walk to pay the bill.
-

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

Then I set Ma’s insurance card down the woman behind the desk gave me a look. I knew what she was thinking. People like me didn’t tend to have insurance, people like me tended not to come off the Rez away from our small doctors clinic. Let alone the shock on her face when I told her I would clear the rest of the bill with my bank card and not a credit card.

‘It’s a lot of money dear.’ She smiled with a patronising tap on the back of my hand when I set the card down -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

Before her. “I know. Funny enough I know how to read, write and count. Now… do your job… and take the payment.” One glare from me has her quaking in her heels. “And I want a full brown down invoice while you are at it….. thanks.”

I was never rude to the staff in hospitals. But women like this one, she thought herself high and mighty because she felt she had power. Little did she know.

My phone buzzes, I took it out and shook my head reading the text from Call.
-

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

[𝙸 𝙲𝚊𝚗 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. -𝙻]

Hitting send I smirked a little. Not telling him what the better would be

@HotHeadSheWolf
#Mac finished checking off the delivery notice and started helping me move the boxes. I had taken care of the kegs first… they didn’t way that much more than a case of beer bottles.. but they were more awkward to carry and knew he had an issue with his back already.

“Take your time will you?” I teased him. ‘You’re making me to look bad.” I tried to keep him talking as we worked but he was still lifting two cases at a time.

‘Do you need a little more time in the gym, >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< Call?’ He laughed. ‘I’ll give you some pointers if you want?’ he teased right back.

I responded by lifting three cases and following him into the stock room. “I think I’m good!” I laughed. I felt my phone vibrate but I didn’t want to stop until this was done.

‘Show off!’ He scoffed. ‘I could do that.. but… I’m not as tall as a tree so I wouldn’t see where I’m going.’

“Keep telling yourself that.” I laughed.

And then he started to ask about the open mic night… things >