Ryan's Crossing by Carrie Daws

bottom step.
    “Do you have everything, dear?”
    “I think so, Mom. If not, I’ll be back for Amber’s birthday celebration in three weeks.”
    “Are you two ready to go?” said Frank as he walked out of the bedroom behind his wife.
    “Let’s hit the road,” said Brittney.
    Brittney followed her parents back to town in her own purple Chevy Equinox so she could leave for home after she ate. Her thoughts kept turning to Ryan. Does he want more than just friendship from me? Father, he’s not proved himself trustworthy in the long-term category from what he says about job-hopping every few months. So what do I do if he does move to Portland? It would be nice to hang around him. Do I set a time limit? Find out the longest he’s been at previous jobs? Ugh! Father, it would be great if you’d speak up here. Of course, I probably have to shut up long enough to let you speak, huh?
    Brittney sighed. It would be so easy to talk myself into taking a risk with him. Father, help me be wise. To follow You, not necessarily my heart.
    She parked beside her dad’s truck in front of Micah’s Hardware. Keith let them in the front door. Walking upstairs, Brittney was greeted by a smorgasbord of cold cuts, cheeses, bags of chips, crescent rolls, and Ryan dressed casually in faded blue jeans and a light blue sweater that matched his eyes. She almost missed the top step.
    He reached out to help her. “You okay?”
    She smiled up at him, her hand tingling in his warm clasp. “Yeah.”
    “Why do I think we’re back to that lying chicken?”
    “What’s a lying chicken?” said Thomas, glancing away from the TV.
    Ryan grinned at Brittney. “Nothing, Dad.”
    Everyone grabbed plates and began to dive into the meats when Brittney’s cell phone rang. She popped a piece of cheese into her mouth and went to check the number. When she saw the screen, she immediately answered the call and started down the stairs.
    “Hello.”
    “Hey, Britt. It’s Diane.”
    “What’s up?”
    “Thought I’d give you a heads up. Her kidneys are failing.”
    Brittney closed her eyes. “Okay. Who’s working tonight?”
    “Nicole.”
    “Thanks, Diane.”
    “You’re welcome. And Britt?”
    “Yeah?”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Yeah.” Brittney hung up the phone and stood at the bottom of the stairs trying to gather herself.
    “Is it Grace?” said Ryan.
    She turned and saw him standing just five steps up. “Yes. Her kidneys are failing.”
    Ryan breathed in deeply. “Are you heading out now?”
    “Yeah. I’ve got to get to the hospital.”
    “Let me tell everyone what’s going on and grab my coat.”
    “Ryan…”
    “I’ll follow you up there. Besides, I owe her a shake.”
    Brittney smiled. “Yeah, you do. Okay.”
    Ryan ran up the stairs. She could hear him explaining to their parents about Gracie making a turn for the worse and that they were going to see her. It wasn’t long before he was back down the stairs with her jacket and purse.
    “You might want these.”
    “Thanks.” She plucked her keys out of her coat pocket and led the way out the door.
    “I’ll follow you into town, then find a place to get the shake once we get close. I’ll meet you at her room.”
    Brittney nodded as she swung into the driver’s seat and started the engine. Hang on Gracie. I’m coming.

    Brittney steeled herself as she walked into the room. As usual, there were no parents in sight. “Hey, Gracie.”
    Weak from fighting the lymphoma, she barely turned her head on the pillow. “Hey, B. Where’s Ryan?”
    “He stopped to get a chocolate milkshake.”
    “He remembered?”
    “Of course he did.” Brittney glanced at the nearly empty urine bag and picked up the chart. Less than 70mL all day. The monitors showed her O2 stats down to 75 and the EKG pulsed with longer, more erratic intervals.
    “I brought you a picture,” said Brittney. She held up a three by five photo.
    Grace’s face lit up. “You are beautiful! No wonder he likes to look at