Chapter 80

Bernard's loud voice came through the phone. He sounded like he was doing fine. Michael finally let out the breath he'd been holding. He wanted to explain himself. It wasn't that he hadn't gone to the hospital these past few days. It was that every time he showed up, they wouldn't let him in. That was why he'd switched to calling twice a day to ask how Bernard was doing. The calls, though, were made to Eric. Bernard didn't even know. "It's too late tonight. I'll come see you tomorrow," Michael promised. Bernard snorted. "Why don't you come next year? By then, my grave will be overgrown with weeds!" With that, he hung up. The line went dead. Michael shook his head helplessly. "Is this how you always talk to your grandson?" Amelia asked. Bernard had just set the phone down when Amelia walked inside. She set the grapes she'd just washed on the bedside table. Then, she picked the biggest one, peeled it, and held it out. Bernard grabbed it and took a bite. The sweetness reached s