A World Apart by Mel Gough

Author:Mel Gough [Gough, Mel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: NineStar Press, Lgbt, drugs, hiv, aids, TB, familial abuse. Bi, gay. alcoholism, hurt/comfort, Law Enforcement
Publisher: NineStar Press
Published: 2017-09-17T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

“ARTHUR! THANKS SO much for coming. Please, come in.” Ben stepped aside to let the old man pass.

“My pleasure.” Arthur shook Ben’s outstretched hand, and they went into the living room. “I wanted to come to the hospital,” Arthur said, “but when you texted me Donnie was in the ICU, I thought I better give you guys some space. He must’ve been in bad shape to be in the hospital for a whole week.”

“He was pretty unwell,” Ben said. “He’s getting better now, but it’s really slow going.”

Arthur’s expression was full of affection. “Thank you for taking care of him, Ben. Donnie needs some kindness in his life. He’s had a rough few years.”

“I figured that. Arthur, before you go up to see him, can we talk?”

“Of course, son.” Arthur sat down in the armchair Ben indicated.

“Can I get you a drink? I bought some black tea.” Ben grinned a little apologetically at the stereotype. “It’s called breakfast tea. I don’t know why. Donnie kept asking for it at the hospital. He told me you got him into it recently. So I thought I’d buy some.”

“A cuppa would be great, Ben, thanks.”

Ben went into the kitchen and put water in the brand-new kettle he’d also purchased, so he could give Donnie this simple treat whenever he wanted it. While the water boiled, he got the milk out of the fridge. Ben was pleased that he remembered it had to go into the cup after the hot water, not be served on the side in a little pitcher. He carried the tea and a cup of instant coffee for himself through into the living room. As he placed the mugs on coasters on the coffee table, he suddenly remembered something else.

“Do you want sugar? I forgot to ask, sorry.”

“No, son, that’s alright. This is lovely, thank you.” Arthur picked up the mug and inhaled the aroma, smiling. He took a sip, then asked, “Donnie is still in bed?”

Ben nodded. “For now, yeah. I was gonna bring him down and park him on the sofa. But he was really wobbly when I got him up to use the bathroom earlier, so I left him upstairs. It’s quieter there, and he can really use the rest. The car journey yesterday was hard on him.”

Arthur nodded, his face creasing in a frown. “How will you cope, Ben? You’ll have to go back to work soon, surely?”

“I’m taking all my family medical leave. I’ve got three more days before they expect me back. And if he needs me to stay at home longer, or work shorter hours, then I’ll figure something out.”

Arthur beamed. “Donnie was so scared to tell you about the HIV. I told him there was no need to worry. Seems I was right.”

“There’s still a lot I don’t know, isn’t there?” Ben asked. Arthur hesitated, so Ben added quickly, “I’m not asking you to tell me all Donnie’s secrets. Whatever else there might be, I’m with him. I’ll not leave him. And there’s no rush, we’ll go at his pace.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.