“With the help of Nan.” Leslie’s cheeks flushed. “She helped me to understand that I hadn’t failed Charlie. Instead, it was that I had a fear of failing him.”
That can’t be true for me too. Can it?
“As caretakers, we think that there isn’t anyone else out there who can do our job. We push people away because we don’t want to risk having someone from the outside messing things up. What ends up happening is a recipe for self-destruction.” Leslie blinked slowly. “Take it from someone who has been where you are—it’sokayto ask for help. Youdon’thave to do things alone. We need somebody to take care of us too.”
“I don’t know if I can. I’m used to being on my own.” Frankie stared at the ground.
“Accepting help is tough. But I promise, if you decide to give it a shot, you’ll find that not only will things get a lot easier, but you’ll be a lot happier too.”
“Thanks for sharing that with me, Leslie.”
“Of course.”
“I’m back!” Charlie called out, entering the apartment, and heading straight to the kitchen.
“We’re in the living room,” Leslie replied.
A moment later, he joined them. “I picked up mostly frozen foods, since they’ll keep longer.” He slid his hands into his pockets. “Frankie, um . . .hi. You look, er . . . wet.”
Leslie facepalmed. “That’snotsomething you say to your girlfriend.”
Frankie cracked a smile for the first time in several days. She’d missed him more than she’d cared to admit.
“Are you ready to go?” Charlie asked.
She arched an eyebrow. “Go where?”
“To Nan’s?” He shot a confused look at Leslie. “I’m guessing you didn’t tell her everything?”
Leslie shook her head. “No. You were supposed to take longer at the store.”
“Tell me what?”
Charlie walked around the couch and sat on its arm. “Your dad is supposed to be released from the hospital tomorrow, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Well, Nan wanted to see if you might be open to having your dad stay at the cottage while he recovers.”
Frankie sucked in air sharply.
“Nan’s invitation extends tobothyou and him,” Leslie added quickly. “She thought that instead of having us take turns coming over to your place, we could have everyone stay in one location.”
Suzy, Leslie, and Charlie were willing to help care for her dad?
The doctor mentioned it could take several weeks for him to recover. If I’m being honest with myself, I’m already feeling pretty run down, and Dad isn’t even home yet.Frankie puffed out her cheeks. She thought about her conversation with Leslie.My decision has to be about what’s best for Dad, and that’s having Suzy near him. Her nursing background and the love she has for him are better than any sort of medicine.
“Dad can stay at the cottage for however long he needs, but not me. I’ll stay a day or two while he settles in, but I need some space.”
Leslie’s eyes narrowed. “Frankie, can you clear something up for me?”
“Sure.”
“This is a one-bedroom apartment, is it not?”
“Yes,” she answered slowly, wondering where Leslie was going with this.
“Where do you sleep?”
