“If that’s the name you insist on calling me,” I reply.
“Thank you again for taking care of my mother.” She glances down at Ellyn who’s still on the phone. “I’m so glad she wasn’t alone.” Meghan takes my hand in hers.
“Is there any way I can repay you? I’m a broke law student so I don’t have much money, but?—”
“Don’t finish that sentence.” I slide my hand from the girl’s.
“You just take care of your mother. And be careful of this door.” I point at the front door as I stroll toward it.
“Slip one of those dining chairs under the handle for tonight to keep it shut tight. I’ll come back tomorrow afternoon to fix it. Need to pick up some supplies from my ranch,” I explain.
“That’s very kind of you,” she says, standing by the door as I exit.
“See?” I gesture toward Ellyn, confusing Meghan. “That’s the correct response you're supposed to have. Unlike your mother who told me it wasn’t necessary.” I shake my head.
“Close the door tight,” I insist. “And don’t forget about the chair. And make sure your mother ices that hip good tonight. Twenty minutes on. Twenty off,” I shout making Ellyn turn to look over her shoulder at me with a sideways glance.
I have to smother another damn smirk as I make my way back to my truck.
CHAPTER 5
Ellyn
“Did you ice today?” Meghan asks she exits the kitchen to stand over me while I waste away here on the couch.
“You just took the melted ice pack from me ten minutes ago,” I remind her.
She nods sharply. “That’s right. My mind was on the chili.”
I sniff the air. “It smells great. You didn’t forget to add the salsa, did you?”
Meghan gives me a look. “I know how to make your famous chili, Mom.” She rolls her eyes playfully, reminding me of the sweet little girl with pigtails.
“It needs to simmer for a while in the crockpot.” She moves to the edge of the couch to take a seat. “How are you feeling?”
“Bored.” I gesture to the stack of fashion magazines on the coffee table. “I’ve looked through all of those this morning. If you could just help me up so I can make it to my office.”
“Your office?” She shakes her head adamantly. “You are not filming a video today.”
“Why not? My audience is used to my twice-weekly upload schedule.”
A few months before my fiftieth birthday, I started a YouTube channel. In the five years since my separation and eventual divorce, I’ve grown my channel that focuses on lifestyle and fashion content for women over fifty to slightly over one million followers.
When I started the channel, it was just as a hobby. As a new empty-nester with a husband who still worked eighty-hour weeks, I had a lot of free time on my hands.
In the years since my divorce it became a lifeline, garnering me financial support when my ex wanted to use his status of being the breadwinner throughout our marriage in an attempt to leave me financially destitute.
“Mom, you can afford to take a few weeks off.”
“Weeks?” I squeal. “Absolutely not. This hip should be good in a week. Tops.”
“And your wrist?” Meghan gestures at my injured arm. “How are you going to film makeup tutorials like that?”
“It can be done,” I say, sounding strangely like the daughter in this scenario.
Meghan laughs. “Dad says my stubborn streak is from you.”
I roll my eyes. “I bet he does. How is your father?”
