Free Heartbeat by Faith Sullivan Page A

words come back to me now. I take a deep breath and focus on the road ahead of me. I won’t give Chuck the satisfaction of goading me into a battle only he can win. I hold my tongue. This time.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Katie
    The ambulance swings around to the front door of the nursing home. Home sweet home. We’re here.
    As I hop out of the cab, the tub-of-lard driver leers at me as he hoists Grandma’s stretcher onto the pavement. His female co-worker is talking to some official from the nursing home, and she doesn’t observe his unprofessional behavior. I glare back at him as he slowly glides his tongue over his top lip. Jeez, what is this freak’s problem? I want him away from me and away from Grandma… pronto.
    “Chuck, bring Mrs. Turner through this entrance, would you please? It’s pretty cold out and I don’t want her to catch a chill,” the lady ambulance worker yells over.
    He smirks and says nothing as he wheels Grandma in. For the millionth time, I wish Adam and his crew picked us up instead. If only.
    The smell of antiseptic and dirty linen assaults me as I follow them through the door. There is an elderly woman holding two dolls wrapped in a blanket moaning by the front desk. The communal television set on the wall is blaring, the volume obviously turned up all the way. What kind of nut house is this?
    The official-looking person still doesn’t approach either of us and continues to chat with the ambulance crew. It seems like they are here a lot to be on such friendly terms. Instead of focusing on Grandma’s arrival, we are virtually ignored.
    But we don’t have far to go. Grandma’s room is right next to the door, which locks behind us as it shuts. Comforting. Grandma is going to be cold. The door is going to provide a constant draft. Perfect. This is getting better and better.
    “Did you catch that game over the weekend? Boy, I…” the official drones on.
    By now, I am at my breaking point. I clear my throat, loudly.
    “Ah, yes, and who do we have here? Is it Lacy Turner?” the official asks.
    “ Lucy Turner,” I snap back.
    “And you are?” he asks.
    “Katie Turner, her granddaughter,” I say.
    “We really need someone here who is of age. How old are you?” he asks.
    “I’m of age. I’m eighteen.”
    “Really? You look about twelve.”
    That’s it. I am going to lose it. Right here, right now.
    “Well we better hit the road. Gary, I’m sure we’ll be seeing you soon. C’mon, Chuck,” the lady ambulance worker breaks in. “You wanna go hit the button up at the desk and let us out?”
    Chuck rolls his eyes and walks as slow as he possibly can up the hallway. When he reaches the nurses’ station, he pushes a large black button fastened to the wall. The light next to the door turns from red to green and his female co-worker opens the door.
    “Bye, Bonnie. Chuck, please be sure to tell your uncle I said hello, okay?” Gary asks, as Chuck marches out the door without a response.
    “Well, getting back to business, Miss Turner, are you your grandmother’s legal guardian?” Gary presses.
    “No, I’m not. My dad is,” I respond. This line of questioning is getting on my nerves. Is he even going to address Grandma directly? I hate the way he’s treating her like she’s an imbecile or a little kid.
    “Then he’s going to have to sign the paperwork I have prepared in my office. When is he expected to arrive?” Gary asks.
    “He works until three. He should be here soon,” I say.
    “Then I guess I’ll have to wait then, won’t I?” And without so much as a backward glance at Grandma, he leaves the room.
    “Asshole,” I mutter.
    “Now, now dear. We weren’t expecting this to be some grand hotel,” Grandma says.
    “No, but I thought they’d treat you like a living, breathing human being.”
    “I’m an old, senile woman who can’t take care of herself.”
    “And that’s what scares me,” I say. “If you’re not even given a voice, how are you gonna defend