To Build a Home

Grammy Strikes a Deal

CHAPTER 2: KEEP BREATHING

I want to change the world; instead I sleep

I want to believe in more than you and me

But all that I know is I'm breathing

All I can do is keep breathing

All we can do is keep breathing now.

-"Keep Breathing" by Ingrid Michaelson

"Hello, Michael. Come and sit with me, dear," Grammy called weakly when Mike entered the room, closing the door behind himself.

"Grammy! Are you okay? How do you feel?" Mike fairly shouted, rushing over and carelessly throwing himself into the uncomfortable plastic chair next to Grammy's bed.

"I'll be fine, Michael," Grammy said reassuringly, reaching for his hand. Her grip wasn't as strong as usual, but her hand was as warm and comforting as ever. "How are you?" she asked. "I'm sorry this had to happen on your birthday."

"Don't worry about me, Grammy, I'm fine. You just take care of yourself," Mike said, trying to smile convincingly at her. He felt his traitorous eyes fill with tears and blinked furiously. All of his false bravado in dealing with Harvey Specter earlier had now deserted him. He couldn't pinpoint what he was feeling exactly; a bewildering and overwhelming mixture of concern, relief, sadness, and bone-deep exhaustion. He knew that Grammy read all of this on his face because she simply reached out with her other hand and cupped his cheek, brushing away the lone tear that escaped from his eyes. Mike hated himself for being the weak one crying when it was Grammy who was injured and in pain, but she just smiled gently at him.

"I'll be okay, Michael," Grammy said. "The doctors say I'm strong for my age. Give me a few months and I'll be back on my feet. Don't worry, honey, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." Mike just nodded at this, not trusting his voice. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down and wiped his eyes on his sleeve quickly.

"There's a man here to see you if you feel up to it, Grammy," Mike said, abruptly changing the subject. "But I've told him he can only come in if you feel up to it. His name is Harvey Specter, and he's a lawyer. I guess he wants to use you as a witness in his case against McKinnon. He said if you helped you could win enough money to never have to work again. I think he's telling the truth but I can stay in the room with you when he's here if you want. And if you're tired you don't have to see him—"

"It's okay, Michael. Send him in, I'll be fine. The quicker I talk to him, the quicker he'll leave and the quicker I can go to sleep," Grammy said, cutting off Mike's overprotective ranting.

"Are you sure?" Mike asked. "Because you could just go to sleep now and I could make him come back tomorrow."

"Send him in, Michael. Your concern is appreciated but not needed," Grammy chuckled. "I think I can manage to stay awake another ten minutes to hear the poor man out. He probably doesn't want to be here at 2 in the morning any more than I do."

Mike was still doubtful about this whole thing but Grammy looked tired and it didn't seem like she would sleep without seeing Mr. Specter, so Mike dutifully went to fetch him, cursing his grandmother's stubbornness.

"Grammy wants to talk to you," Mike said upon opening the door to the hallway. Harvey was casually leaning up against the wall, still looking perfectly groomed and alert and ready to take on the world. Mike wondered if this guy was completely human.

"Alright. Thank you, Michael. Just give me ten minutes with her," Harvey said, and Mike nodded and watched as Harvey entered his grandmother's room and closed the door. He slid into a sitting position against the wall, leaning his head forward onto his knees. Any adrenaline he had had earlier was now completely out of his system, and he felt his heavy eyelids beginning to droop shut. Some of the tension drained out of his shoulders at the knowledge that Grammy appeared to be okay, but he could feel panic rising anew when he considered the future. He pushed any thoughts of how they were going to manage these next few months of recovery out of his mind, blinking blearily. He could worry about that tomorrow. But for now, he would shut his eyes for ten seconds. Just ten seconds, and then he would get up and walk around in order to wake himself up more. Just ten seconds...