FULL CIRCLE
Chapter 39
Natalie soon arrived at "Harry's Place" and entered it, looking for Miles. Going over to the bartender, she said, "The young man I was talking to on the phone, where is he?"
"He's sitting at the table in the corner," the bartender replied.
"Thank you. How much does he owe?" Natalie asked.
"He's already paid. But he did forget this picture," the bartender said, handing the photo to Natalie.
She took it and glanced at it briefly, quickly realizing just who the little girl resembled. Slipping it into her purse, she headed over to Miles.
Miles was sitting at the table resting his head on his arms. But he looked up when he heard footsteps approaching. "Glad you're here," he said.
Even in the dimness of the place he looked sick. His face was pale and beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead. Natalie placed a hand on his shoulder and asked, "Do you think you can make it out to the car?"
"I can," Miles replied. He got to his feet and stood a little unsteadily.
Once he was settled in the car, she asked, "Miles, would you like me to take you back to the ER?"
"No. I don't think so. I didn't really start feeling bad until after I started drinking and it hit me pretty fast. I just need to go lie down," Miles replied, placing a hand on his forehead.
"Miles, when was the last time you had anything to eat?" Natalie asked after a few moments and quickly glanced at him.
"Yesterday sometime. I didn't feel like eating earlier and I really didn't feel like it after seeing my father," Miles replied. He stared straight ahead. "Boy, was I surprised to find out he had a new wife
and a little kid." He groaned and rubbed his temples.
Natalie nodded and listened to him talk. That explained who the girl was in the picture and mostly likely the reason Miles had decided to go get drunk. An action he was obviously regretting now. "If you think you're going to be sick, let me know," she told him.
"I think I'll be okay until we get to the hotel," he replied.
"Here we are," Natalie announced once they'd gotten to the hotel. She helped him out of the car and over to the elevator. Once inside, he slid down the wall until he was sitting on the floor. She knelt beside him. "Miles?"
"Just give me a few minutes," he said tiredly.
Natalie sighed and said, "Wait right while I see if I can find Connor or Frank."
"Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere," Miles answered.
Natalie hurried to his room, relieved to find it opened when she turned the handle. Inside she spotted Frank starting to pack up his recent purchases. "I need your help," she said quickly.
"You've got it," he replied. "What do you need me for?"
"Miles collapsed in the elevator," Natalie replied, the concern evident in her voice.
"What?" Frank asked, turning to face her.
"I'll explain later. Right now I need your help to get him to the room and put him tobed," she answered heading back to the elevator with Frank just one step behind her.