“Yes, you can. This is my fault. The article mentions me, my money. It's created this problem. But I need to remind you of what I think you all need to do. We talked about this before. Dani should run the events program. She has good instincts. Since James understands technology, he should update and handle a better and more modern booking system. It wouldn’t hurt to update your online social media presence. Tom can manage vendor relationships and legal issues.” She looked at Kate. “And you focus on guest experience and overall management. Stop trying to do everything. Take this money, it will be yours soon enough anyway.”
“I don't know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Cash that check today and give these people their money. You put one foot in front of the next, keep moving and don’t stop. You answer phones, manage bookings, handle vendors, deal with complaints, oversee renovations, and apparently do laundry. But, you don’t do it alone. Do you hear me?” Lillian asked, moving to the closest chair.
Before Kate could argue, Amy appeared. “Kate? The facility called. Your father had a fall.”
Everything else forgotten, Kate grabbed her keys. “Is he hurt?”
“Bruised but okay. He's asking for Elizabeth.”
“I'll drive,” Ben said.
“I can drive myself.”
“No,” Tom said firmly. “Ben drives. We'll handle things here.”
Kate wanted to argue, but the panic was rising again. Pop had fallen. In the facility that was supposed to keep him safe. She looked at Lillian, who was frail as ever. “Thank you.”
Looking as if she’d used up every ounce of her strength, Lillian nodded.
At the facility, they found Pop with a bandage on his forehead, looking confused but calm.
“He tried to go home,” the nurse explained. “Thought his boat was in danger from the storm. We've adjusted his medications.”
“There's no storm,” Kate said.
“In his mind there is.”
Pop looked at Kate without recognition, then at Ben.
“You're the one who fixes things,” Pop said to Ben.
“That's right.”
“Good. Everything's broken.” Pop closed his eyes. “Tell Elizabeth I tried to come home.”
Kate sat with him until he slept, Ben waiting patiently in the uncomfortable visitor chair.
“I failed him,” Kate said quietly.
“He's safe. He's cared for.”
“He fell trying to escape.”
“He fell because his brain is failing, not because you failed.”
Kate's phone buzzed. Dani: “Coast is clear. Three new bookings and Mrs. Porter changed her mind.”
“How?” Kate texted back.
“Tom charmed her. James fixed her Wi-Fi. I comped her breakfast. Team effort.”
Kate stared at the message. Her siblings had handled it. Without her.
“They don't need me,” she said.
“They don't need you to do everything,” Ben corrected. “But, they still need you.”
