But his illness made him restless and hard to soothe.
He squirmed in Melissaâs hold and even called out for Marcus in his sleep.
By the time it neared ten at night, Melissa, feeling at her witsâ end, pulled out her phone.
âHow about we call Daddy so you can talk to him?â she suggested, hoping to lift his spirits.
At the mention of his dad, Matthew perked up, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Melissa hesitated for a moment before dialing Marcusâ number.
After a brief wait, Marcusâ slightly raspy voice came through.
âHey, whatâs going on?â
Melissa took a moment before replying, âMatthewâs asking to speak with you⦠Do you have a moment?â
Her voice was tentative, filled with hope.
Leaning against the marble countertop of a fancy club, Marcus couldnât help but sneer.
âWhat are you trying to say, Miss Brown?
You think Iâm caught up in something, huh?â
Though Marcus seemed relaxed, his tone dripped with sarcasm.
Melissa, not wanting to escalate things, replied softly, âCanât we just talk like normal people? Marcus⦠We may have gone our separate ways, but that doesnât mean we have to be enemies, alright?â
She was worried Matthew might overhear and therefore kept her voice low.
Marcus paused, taking in her words.
Then, with an even chillier tone, he asked, âAnd why would I agree to that?â
Melissa felt her patience wearing thin but managed to keep her cool.
Taking a deep breath, she gathered herself before saying, âIâm going to hand the phone to Matthew.
â
This time, Marcus didnât resist.
When Matthew received the phone from Melissa, he glanced at his hand connected to the IV drip.
With a voice full of sorrow, he asked, âDaddy, where are you? Why havenât you visited me? Iâm sick, and it really hurts⦠If you donât show up at the hospital, I will be really upset.
â
Marcusâ brow furrowed, and he felt a pang in his heart at those words.
Despite any issues between him and Melissa, he knew he couldnât let that impact Matthew.
In a soft, soothing tone, he inquired, âWhere are you, buddy? Hand the phone to mommy, please.
â
Matthew, teary-eyed, handed the phone to Melissa, saying, âDaddy wants to talk to you.
â
Melissa let out a soft sigh upon hearing this.
As she took the phone, Marcusâ voice came through, asking, âWhat hospital are you at? Text me the address.
Iâll come immediately.
â
Without thinking, Melissa responded, âYou donât have to.
Itâs already late⦠Maybe you can visit Matthew tomorrow.
â