Risk of Falling

Suzy continued towards Main Street, passing the town hall before reaching the drug store. Inside, she found Mr. Stone talking to the cashier. Ducking behind one of the shelves, she snuck back to the office supplies and grabbed a notebook and pack of pens. She popped her head up to see if he had left. Whew. It was clear. She took her purchases to the cashier and added some bubble gum.

Chewing her gum, she stepped outside and started for home. She had just gone beyond the town hall steps when she heard her name being called. She turned and spotted Mr. Stone coming towards her.

Crud.

She pasted a smile on her face. “Mr. Stone, what a surprise.”

He stopped a couple feet from her. “I wanted to check in to see how things are going at your mother’s house.”

Double crud. “Fine.” Her cheeks hurt from keeping the smile on her face. She held up her shopping bag. “Bought some supplies so I can make a game plan for the clean up.”

He frowned at the bag. “Make a plan? You haven’t started? You only have...”

“Twelve days, I know.” She shifted her weight to the other foot. Wanted to leave, but it would probably be considered rude. “You don’t have to worry.”

“Still I think I’ll check in on you early next week.”

She shook her head. She didn’t need to be checked on like a child. She could do this. She was capable. Strong. “You don’t have to do that.”

His frown deepened. “Something tells me that I should.” He looked her up and down. “I won’t keep you.”

“So I can go home and work on the backyard? How kind of you.” She blew a bubble and let it pop. “Have a splendid day, Mr. Stone.”

“Likewise, Miss Bylin.”

* * *

WILL NOTICED TORI’S car outside the hospital when he arrived after work. He locked his car and walked up to the entrance. The coffee stand in the lobby called his name, but he’d need to sleep later. Not that he’d had much luck the past three nights.

Tori stood at the door of their mom’s room, leaning on the wall. Head down, arms crossed. Will went up to her and put his arm around her shoulder. “Everything, okay?”

Tori looked up at him, the skin below her eyes puffy and dark. She looked tired. Lost. And a little scared. “The doctor is giving her an exam now. I think they’ll be moving her to the nursing home soon.”

“Already?”

“They’ve done all that they can do here. She needs to recuperate in a home.”

Will nodded. He’d expected this. With the plans in place to send her to the Lake Mildred seniors’ home, it wasn’t a matter of if but when they moved her there. In his mind, the sooner, the better. Then they could all move forward. “Good.”

Tori shrugged. “I guess.”

“It’s a positive sign. Shows that she’s improving.” He rubbed her arm. “It’s going to be okay.”

“You can’t guarantee that. Her hip is repairing, but she still has cancer.” She held her hands to her face. “She could die. And then where would I be?”

“She’s too stubborn to die.” But did he really believe it? Yes, his mom was one tough cookie. But cancer had a way of making the strongest person frail and helpless.

He couldn’t think like that. Had to stay positive. Had to focus on the mission: getting his mom into the home and healed so she could start chemo. That was the plan. That was the goal.

Tori looked up at him. “I haven’t heard from our sisters. Have you?”

Will shrugged. “Are you really surprised by that? They’ve made it clear they don’t want anything to do with Ma or us.” He shook his head. “When’s the last time they were here for Christmas? Or even called.”

“Carol calls Ma every month.”

“To ask for money.” He hit his fist against his thigh. “I don’t get it, Tori. Ma didn’t do anything to deserve this. What did she ever do to them?”

“She didn’t protect them from Dad.” She frowned. “Sometimes it wasn’t the belt that hurt most. It was the names.”

He could still hear his dad’s voice after all these years. Loser. Worthless. Useless. Good for nothing.

“That wasn’t Ma’s fault.”

There was surprise etched on her face. “You’re defending her? That’s a switch.”

“I’m not that harsh.”

“Except when you want her to do what you want.”

He knew that would come back and bite him in the end. He took a long, deep breath. “She has to go to the home. She can’t live on her own and expect to get better. You know it as well as I do.”

“Sure, but you were so...” She seemed to be searching her brain for the right word. “Cruel.”

Had he been? Is that how they’d seen him? “Tough love isn’t cruel. It’s necessary.”

“And I’m sure Dad would have said the same thing.” She pushed off the wall. “I need some air.”

She started to walk down the hall. Will called after her. “Am I really like Dad?”

His sister stopped and turned. “Sometimes,” she said, and then she turned back and kept on walking.

* * *

WHEN SUZY DROVE UP to the seniors’ home, she noticed the ambulance near the entrance. The lights weren’t flashing, so that was a good sign. Maybe a new patient arriving? Or an old one leaving? She checked the ambulance but noted no one was inside.

In the break room, Suzy punched in and checked the assignment sheet before arriving at her usual station. As she walked, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail and secured it with a rubber band. There was activity down the hall. Two medics were pushing an empty gurney and she waved at them as they left.

A new patient then.

Which meant she’d be spending most of her evening monitoring the room and answering the tons of questions her new patient would have. She smiled. She loved meeting people.

Carly came up to her at the station. “Is it almost seven already? No wonder I’m tired.”

“We get new blood?”

Carly glanced down the hall and nodded. “You’ll like her. She’s feisty. Right up your alley.”

Suzy nodded. “The family?”