“Well, after all my years in social services, I know a few people.” She winked. “Now, tell me what you’re doing for yourself.”
Honey held up her hands. “I don’t really know. Like I said, I guess I’m waiting for the renovations to get done. And the light’s at the end of the tunnel.”
“I just know that caregivers usually put self-care at the bottom of their to-do list. I don’t want to see you do that, Honey. You’vealways been so involved. And you have a lot of friends. I know I plan to start calling you up more often.”
“I hope you will.” Honey pointed to Donna’s phone. “Got any Alaska pictures there?”
“Are you kidding?”
“I’d love to see them.”
Donna scooted her chair closer, and Honey put on her reading glasses and listened with real interest as Donna described their recent trip and gushed over the fabulous photos. Finally, it was getting late and Honey reinvited her to tour the old farmhouse.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” Donna stood. “I love remodeling projects. I keep watching HGTV and thinking we’ll do something with our old place. But it’s lots easier said than done.” She waved a hand. “We don’t even have AC yet. You must be absolutely loving this.”
“It’s been pretty nice. Not sure how we did without it for so long. Jewel put it in the farmhouse too.”
Honey felt very nearly happy as she led Donna through the farmhouse. Of course, Donna had nothing but praise for every bit of it. Finally, they were on the back porch where Jewel was washing brushes, and Donna got a chance to gush at her. “It’s just brilliantly beautiful. Everything is absolutely perfect. When can you do my house?” Donna asked.
Jewel laughed and thanked her. “It’s been a fun project.”
“Your mother must be so proud of you.”
“You got that right.” Honey eagerly nodded. “My Jewelisa jewel.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Jewel’s smile looked a little weary. “And we’re all done with the exterior. Other than some touch-ups in back. But I’ll do that when Dad’s not around to, uh,supervise.” She rolled her eyes and they all laughed. As Honey walked Donna back to her car, she decided that all in all it had been a very good day. And everyone needed a very good day from time to time!
32
Honey
Despite the drizzly, cloudy morning, Honey felt energetic and happy as she cleaned up the kitchen. CT had eaten a good breakfast and seemed in good spirits, albeit a bit worn out from a restless night. But she hoped his low energy, combined with the weather, might keep him housebound today since, with no more painting to occupy him, he’d taken to wandering the property again.
She heard CT’s slow steps shuffle up behind her. “The rain,” he said in a worried tone. “Not good. Hurts my grain.”
“We don’t have any grain this year.”
“Oh?” He peered out the kitchen window.
“The pumpkins and alfalfa and lavender like the rain.”
“My bees?”
“Oh, they’ll love it. Cools things off.”
“Oh?”
“Tell you what.” She smiled brightly. “As soon as I’m done here, we can play cards.”
“Cards?” His eyes lit up.
“Yeah. That’s fun on a rainy day.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You go find the cards while I finish here.” Although the decks and scorepads were in the same coffee table drawer as always,she knew this search would challenge him. Plus, the hunt would keep him busy. CT had always loved playing cards. Of course, they’d been forced to work down from their usual gin rummy. A couple years back they’d switched to a simpler rummy. Then to crazy eights. Now they were down to go fish. And CT would get so confused that playing cards was just that—playing as in play-acting. At least for her. CT sincerely believed his eights matched threes, and sixes paired nicely with nines, and unless she was feeling feisty, she almost always let him win.
But her heart felt light as she turned on the dishwasher. Almost as if she could see a light at the end of the tunnel, although that wasn’t the right metaphor since she knew CT’s situation wouldn’t improve. It was what it was. But with so many things completed on the farm, she felt like this could be a new era. Honey had less responsibility, and Jewel and Cooper would now have extra time to step in to help. Caring for CT would become more manageable. Even if the girls got busy again, Cooper with school, which would start in a couple weeks, and Jewel with her B&B plans, Honey would simply take Donna’s advice and engage some outside caregivers to assist. Hopefully that wouldn’t be too expensive. Who knew, after Donna’s encouragement about cruises, and how lots of challenged passengers enjoyed it, Honey might even take CT to Alaska.
