“Well, it’s the truth, isn’t it? Isn’t that why we, like, barely ever see her even though we only live four hours away?” Izzy looked right at me. “Haven’t you been trying to spare us?”
“Spare us from what?” Olivia asked, eyes wide.
“Yeah, Mom,” Izzy said, raising an eyebrow. “From what?”
“What’s she going to do to us?” Olivia asked worriedly.
My heart banged out a warning in my chest. This was not going well. I took a deep breath and smiled. “Nothing, little mouse,” I said. “She’s not going to do anything at all. Your grandmother and I… we’ve had our differences. But she’s sick and she needs us now.” I looked at Mark before using his words. “She’s family. And we take care of each other. No matter what.”
“How long is she going to stay?” Izzy asked suspiciously.
“Well, she’s very sick, so she may not be with us much longer,” I explained. “But whatever time we have with her, we’re going to make it count.” I smiled.
“Wait,” Izzy said. “Let me get this straight. This dying lady we hardly know, who you guys have both said doesn’t even like children, is going to come live with us?”
“That’s right,” Mark said, staring Izzy down.
“You’re kidding, right?” Izzy looked from her father to me.
“Not kidding,” I said.
“She doesn’t like children?” Olivia asked.
“Of course she does,” Mark said. “And you’re her grandchildren, so she loves you very much.”
Izzy gave a snarky, disbelieving laugh. “Right.”
“Where will she sleep?” Olivia wanted to know.
“She’ll stay in the guest room,” I said, eager to have the practicalities to focus on. “We’re going to get it all fixed up for her.”
“Does she like toast with jam?” Olivia asked. “Because I can make her toast with jam. Like you do for me when I’m sick.”
“I’m sure that would make her feel much better,” Mark said.
“What’s wrong with her?” Izzy asked.
“She has cancer,” I said.
Olivia nodded. “Sophie’s dog Django got cancer and died. They had to give him special medicine that made him go to sleep and not wake up because he was so sick.” She looked at me. “Do they have that medicine for people too?”
“No,” I said.
“Euthanasia is illegal in this country,” Izzy informed her. “You have to go to Switzerland or the Netherlands or Canada.”
“Eutha-what?” Olivia said.
“Putting people to sleep like your friend’s little cocker spaniel.”
“He was a dachshund,” Olivia said.
“Whatever.”
“We’re going to keep your grandmother as comfortable as we can,” Mark explained. “There will be nurses coming in to help us take care of her. We’re even having a special hospital bed delivered.”
“The kind that goes up and down?” Olivia asked.
“Yes,” I said.
