She squeals in delight for me and hugs me again.

“You two are made for each other, Doll.”

“He’s everything, Sass. I can’t describe it other than to say that. He makes me feel like I’m the only woman in the world. And when he kisses me, it’s like time stands still. I know it sounds like all that cheesy romance bullshit, but he brings that out in me.” I’m unable to keep the smile off my face.

“You know he doesn’t normally kiss his women, right?”

“What are you talking about? He kisses me all the damn time.”

“Not you. The women he fucks, he doesn’t kiss them. Rex told me once after we saw you two kiss. Tripp doesn’t kiss unless it’s someone he cares about. Maybe it’s the intimacy, I don’t know. To Rex, it was a big deal every single time Tripp kissed you.”

“Hmmm…” I say trying not to think of him with Carmine and saying he won’t kiss her. He’s mine now and all that’s in the past. We both agreed to try and I’m going to give this my all with no baggage.

“I’m happy for you Doll.” Sass smiles over at me.

We chat for a little while longer making plans. Once she leaves, I start getting my ducks in a row to give things a real chance between Tripp and me. I call ‘Vida’, she’s Ruby’s wife. They have three kids, and he works in the Hellions garage. She agrees to come take my position in the storage office. Talking it over with my dad, he agrees to let her replace me if I want to move to Catawba. My ducks getting in a row, I’ve got to talk to Tripp and see if this is what he wants.

The smell of the hospital makes my stomach churn. It’s clean, like the smell of disinfectant, not one of clean, crisp, fresh air. Entering the building I feel suffocated. The walls feel like they’re closing in as I look around the room.

Tank’s lying in the bed, tubes everywhere. His head wrapped, his face swollen, and all life seems drained from him. The steady hiss of the ventilator reminds me that my brother can’t breathe for himself. The constant beeping of the machines keeping the rhythm of his heartbeat isn’t soothing. Every sound is a distinct reminder that every second that goes by is another moment missed. Tank is fighting to either wake up or succumb to the dark angel of death.

Sitting beside the bed, I stare for the longest time. The nurse comes in and says to talk to him. She claims he can hear us. According to the nurse, the only time they see any change in him and it’s subtle, but it’s something, is when his one lady friend visits each morning. There is a slight change in his vitals, but nothing bringing him out of this state. No doubt in my mind that special visitor is Sass. The nurse leaves and I’m still staring. Memories invade of the good times I’ve shared with Tank. He’s made a lot of runs with me for the Hellions.