She’d found an old pair of crutches in the attic after she’d gotten him safely into bed, but this morning when she tried to show him how to use the crutches to get from the bedroom to the living room, it had been both frightening and frustrating for both of them.
“You should just stay in your chair.” She handed him the remote as she pulled the lever to elevate his feet. “I’ll bring you your breakfast.”
“Peanut butter and honey,” he weakly requested. She could tell their short journey to his recliner had worn him out, but it was just as well. At least he’d stay put for a while. That was something.
She went to the kitchen and was grateful to see that Jewel had already been up and had made coffee. Honey poured herself amug, took a couple of sips, then set about putting CT’s breakfast together, thanking the good Lord for peanut butter and honey!
She took out his tray, complete with his beloved sandwich, a banana, and a glass of milk. She set it on his lap, making sure it was secure, then kissed his forehead. But instead of smiling like he normally did when she kissed him, he frowned.
“Don’t want this.” He started to give the tray a shove, but she rescued it, catching the glass of milk just before it tottered off.
“What?” She set the tray on the coffee table and turned to look at him. “What’s wrong?” she asked, trying to keep the irritation from her voice.
His brows were knit together as he glowered at her. She had no idea what was eating at him but suspected it was serious.
“CT,” she said gently, “is something wrong?”
With his chin sticking out, he nodded firmly.
“Can you tell me what it is?”
He pointed a shaking finger at her. “You. Answer my question.”
“Okay.” She sat down on the edge of the coffee table, bracing herself for whatever was coming. “What’s your question?”
His face grew even grimmer. “You made me go to that place.”
“What place?”
“That place. You know. Where Miguel lives.”
“Oh?” She nodded with a guilty feeling. “Yes, I took you there.”
“That place. All those people. Laughing at me.”
“No, CT. No one laughed at you.”
“Yes! They did!”
She shook her head. “No, I never heard anyone laugh at you. I did hear you yelling at them and yelling at Miguel.”
“You took me there. You made them laugh.”
She was confused. “How would I make them laugh?”
“You made me go with no clothes.”
“No clothes?” She felt her eyes growing wide. “What?”
“You know. You took me there. With no clothes.”
“I took you there with no clothes?” she echoed.
“Yes! Just my underthings. My shorts.”
“Oh no. That’s not true.”
“It is true. You made them laugh at me.”
