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Garrett

Garrett didn't like nursing homes. Those scents. The illogical progression of incidents. Staff and nurses. The walls looked sterile, with cheap coastline and yacht images and tiling. The trip to Alabama had not boosted his mood, but now that his grandfather was in Montgomery after a seizure, things could change.

Just then, his phone rang, and he shot an apologetic look at the nurse behind the front desk, whose name tag said "Yolanda." He grabbed his cell phone from his pocket and proceeded upstairs. It was his brother, Grady.

Garrett softly said, "Yeah," pressing his large frame against the wall.

"Have you seen him yet?" Grady asked quickly.

"I'm right down the hall."

A pause.

"Oh. I wasn't able to come, Garrett."

"Bullshit, Grady."

"No, you're right."

Garrett groaned and mumbled when talking to his older brother. "About what?"

"I didn't buy a plane ticket to go down there. Grandpa told me after our last visit that I would die young and not to call him when it happened. I told him it would be hard to do because I would be dead by then. He made his usual sound before taking a business call. After that, I left. He probably had no idea I had been gone for months."

Garrett let out a long sigh. "Not to sound like I'm picking sides, but your last fight was a son of a bitch." Grady enjoyed MMA tournaments and overtaking rookies. The family's loyalty ended with his UFC title.

"The other guy had no chance against me. A few bruises were all I got."

"Things worked in your favor."

"Whatever. Stop talking about the past. I didn't want to waste your time with small talk when I called." Grady exhaled and spoke softly. "Tell me how the old man is doing."

Garrett eyed the exit. "The nurse said he's breathing."

"So, you have nothing new to tell me?"

"I'm about to check on him."

"Okay." Grady sniffed. "Have you spoken to Gavin?"

"Briefly. We spoke before I left Maryland. His first preseason game is Friday in Vancouver."

"Big league moment for our younger brother. Who knew?"

At five, the youngest Beaumont enjoyed hockey. Their Canadian mother took them ice skating in her hometown. Helen Beaumont supported her boys' activities. Garrett stopped playing sports after her death. But not Gavin. Hockey helped him mingle and avoid his difficult family situation. Over time, their father lost interest. Gerald Beaumont gave the kids shelter, food, and clothing. That was it. He kept the family in Alabama with their grandfather, who refused to move.

The Beaumont brothers' early years were not always luxurious.

Garrett shook his head, trying to forget a terrible memory. "I'll give you an update later."

"Okay, then. I have to travel to New Jersey for a fight. Not my fight, though."

"Okay. Travel safely."

His older brother laughed. "I always do."

Garrett put his phone in his pocket and returned to the fourth-floor hallway. He gave the nurse a nod and kept walking down toward his grandfather's room. He let himself in through the open door.

In seconds, Garrett adjusted to the faint light. Sighing, he looked at his grandfather in bed, taking careful mental notes. Eugene Beaumont had full, shiny white hair and had lost weight. Shadows of his features were visible on the stretched skin above the bone. He breathed horribly with an oxygen mask.

He slipped his hands into his jeans' front pockets and moved inches from the bed with his chest tightly clenched. When Garrett was young, his grandfather was powerful and didn't tolerate foolishness. Eugene's grandchildren grew up with an iron fist, without affection or care. He felt concerned by his grandfather's decline.

Garrett crossed over and bowed to observe properly. His heart shook at spotting a family photo. It felt like the day had happened just recently. Their whole family went fishing. That moment was unforgettable for a group of kids who wanted family appreciation.

Eugene smiled as they stood in a boat with their catch. His smile was a rare sight back then. In the picture, Garrett looked up at the man who had shaped his childhood.

He gulped and shuddered. The need to reconnect with his grandfather tortured him.

Garrett sat, shaking his head. He closed his eyes and crossed his long legs over the nightstand to wait. His wait was brief.

"Gary?"

The voice was harsh and feeble. His eyes opened, and he stood by the bed. His grandfather looked up with pale hazel eyes after removing his oxygen mask.

"Hey, Grandpa."

Eugene trembled and tried to sit comfortably with his lips pursed. Garrett would have helped if his grandfather hadn't declined. He watched the man arrange his pillows.

"I see you're still as rigid as a mule, Gary."

Garrett hissed. His relationship with his grandfather was particularly difficult as the middle Beaumont child. After his grandmother died, his grandfather changed drastically. He was only ten and a half years old.

Coughing, Eugene slumped against the cushions, gasping for breath. Terminal lung disease and dementia could trigger this. He breathed deeply through the mask again.

"Why'd you come?" Eugene asked while he huffed.

"Grady called me to check on you."

"Stupid man." That angered his grandfather. It was obvious. "Don't let your brother bother you. I like what you're doing to keep people safe from terrorists. Your job is tough."

"Calm down, Grandpa. I had some free time." Garrett was an FBI Homeland Security special agent. He enjoyed his job. He loved his coworkers and wouldn't have returned to Alabama if his grandfather wasn't sick and his brother hadn't called.

Grady reminded him that it was time to return to the area after nine years. Garrett returned eight years ago without anyone knowing and fled the state immediately to keep out of sight.

He appreciated his brother and friends calling about Eugene. People in the area needed to mind their own business sometimes, but not now. Garrett wouldn't tell them that. Boosting their self-esteem wasn't his job.

He laughed at that concept.

"How are your brothers?" As Eugene's voice rose, Garrett offered his grandfather the water on the bed tray.

"They are good." Being honest made him feel good. "Grady and Gavin both wanted to come down here, but they couldn't."

As he shifted to find a better position, his grandfather didn't say anything for a moment. "You staying here for a while?"

Garrett hesitated before speaking. "As long as I'm needed."

Eugene's lips curled into a tiny smile. "You mean until I take my final breath?"

"Yep. I'll leave around that time." Garrett didn't feel the need to sugarcoat his reasons for being in town. He needed to settle a few things here.

"Have you been out to the family house?"

"Yes, and I'm staying in it."

"Great." Eugene narrowed his eyes. "What about the office?"

Beaumont Investments. Tensions arose between the brothers, the town, and his grandfather because of the family business.

Garrett shook his head. "I haven't been by there, but I will check it out tomorrow to make sure everything is running the way it is supposed to."

"You better." Eugene suppressed a cough, his voice weaker. "Rhett Cunningham is in charge because no one else is qualified. Despite his competence, I wouldn't trust him with my life. Keep an eye on him, son."

As long as Garrett could remember, Rhett Cunningham was his grandfather's trusted confidant. Many fail safes safeguarded the family fortune, the company was diverse, and the clients were wealthy. He felt confident that the man wouldn't steal from his employer.

"Rhett may be shady, but to ease your mind, I'll make sure he's doing his job and nothing more."

His grandfather bowed, exhausted but with flaming eyes. Phone calls and muted voices came from outside the room. The men were silent as if they were too tired or afraid to speak.

"Gary, thank you for coming today. It's nice to know that someone cares."

Garrett started to speak when he felt a lump in his throat, but a nurse cut him off when the door suddenly opened. She was middle-aged, with a charming face and a slim figure. She smiled at him, with her hair pulled back into a ponytail.

"Eugene, my word! This is surely one of your dashing young grandsons!" Garrett knew she wasn't local because of her Scottish accent. She rushed to the bed and unwrapped the stethoscope. Her attention darted to him. "I need to take a quick listen, and the doctor is waiting in the lobby. I know she wants to talk to you, sir."

Garrett nodded graciously and left the room, where he saw a tall, slender redhead talking to the staff. When she spotted him, she turned and flashed a warm smile.

"It's so good to see you again, Garrett."

Okay. Tanned skin. Beautiful smile. Familiar green eyes. Very welcoming. But who was she?

Her smile grew as she approached him. "You probably don't recognize me, do you?"

"I'm sorry."

"It's all right." She was arm's length from the counter, her slow smile tracing her wide lips. "I'm Brian Sinclair's sister. Zoe."

Indeed, she was. Everyone in the Sinclair family had those eyes. If he was correct, Zoe was at least a year older than her brother, who was nearing thirty.

"I haven't seen you in years. You look nothing like I remember."

Zoe laughed. "I hope so. I had braces, pimples, and I wore glasses when we last interacted. Time has changed."

He recalled her quiet and reserved personality back in the day. "You decided to stay in Alabama?"

Her smile widened. "It's not that bad." She gave a dismissive shrug. "I had no reason to move anywhere else." Her grin faded. "But I have some unsettling news for you." Garrett followed her to the lounge. She continued with her hands in her white jacket pockets. "Your grandfather's health is declining."

Right there. His new reality. "I noticed."

"Eugene is in poor health due to fluid in his heart and lungs. And his low oxygen levels may cause another cardiac blockage."

"Can't you unblock it like last time?"

Zoe sighed and looked around. "I worry he won't survive another procedure. He is unwell and has a weak heart. Making him stronger and more stable may be feasible. However..." Garrett saw through her huge eyes.

"You believe it will be too late for him?"

"I'm sorry, Garrett. I doubt he'll live long enough to find out, given his health and our efforts. A hopeful outlook exists despite the uncertain future. I believe my patients and their families deserve honesty. And things aren't looking good."

Garrett breathed and looked at his grandfather's door. "Eugene is tougher than he looks."

"He is. But he's battled his illness for years. He may not have more fight." Zoe checked her phone. "I have a meeting to get to." She paused and cleared her throat. "Are your brothers coming back?"

Garrett shook his head. "They don't want to come back."

He would have wondered about Zoe's mouth tightening and eyes flashing, but he wasn't thinking about it anymore. She gradually became professional again.

"Okay. Well, if you have questions about him, don't hesitate to ask." She grinned. "It's nice that one of his grandsons came. Eugene needs your support."

He whispered, "He does, even though he and my uncle drove me out of town."

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened?"

Garrett took a breath, tightened his jaw, and looked out the window at the tall trees swaying in the wind. "I discovered my father, grandfather, and uncle stole money from the mayor nine years ago. Mayor Washington's daughter, Imani, was my fiancée."

"Oh." Zoe tilted her chin as if she understood Garret's quick withdrawal. "I'm assuming that's why you broke it off with her?"

He nodded, attempting to hold back tears. "Something like that. I accepted a job in Seattle and didn't want to testify against my family if I had stayed."

"I see," she said. "As I can recall, the authorities caught your uncle, and then your grandfather if I'm right?"

"That's correct. All three pleaded guilty and served five years in prison. Instead of revealing their actual sentence, they were charged for tax evasion. That was my agreement with Abraham Washington. If I leave the state and break up with Imani, my family secret stays quiet."

"Until now." As she laughed, Zoe's brows furrowed. "Don't worry. What we discuss stays between us, okay?"

Garrett was about to nod when a nurse walked by. "Thank you for listening to me, Dr. Sinclair."

"I'm always happy to talk." Zoe smiled as her eyes met his. "Are you planning to go to the dance at the Holden Fairgrounds?"

Surprised, Garrett's eyebrows shot up. "They still do that?"

"Of course! The town cares about tradition. Festival weekend starts on Saturday night." Zoe stepped back as she looked at her watch. "You should come. There will be a lot of locals there. Andrew Fisher is back in town, and I think my brother and his wife are coming." Then she chuckled. "Every bird that flies away returns to its nest, eventually."

Meaning that people who leave their town always come back.

Garrett understood the idiom as he thought about Imani and Dylan. He also thought of the man she was dating, Dexter somebody, and mentally slapped himself. He needed to shut that crap down. Falling back in love with her wasn't the plan.

"I think it'll be great if you go. Reach out to Brian. Getting your crew together might be a lot of fun," Zoe suggested.

Garrett nodded as he watched her retreat down the hallway. He returned to Eugene's room and sighed, staying silent. The memories of Brian, his old friends, and Imani were from a time and place he had long since left behind, and he saw no reason to think of them now.

He opened the door and looked at the frail figure lying in bed. The nurse was speaking in such a low voice that he could hardly hear her as she clutched Eugene's hand. His grandfather grinned at whatever she said, and Garrett saw a flash of the guy he used to be.

However, the lethal scent was unavoidable. Knowing that his grandfather's passing would soon come rocked Garrett to his core. All he could do was stand by Eugene, regardless of any grudges they harbored. 

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