It wasn’t the first fall, nor the first sign of Mr. Donovan’s—who sternly insists we all call him Grandpa—increasing weakness. Each incident seems to weigh more heavily on Grey, shadows of concern lingering longer each time.
But he’s worrying us too.
Grandpa Donovan, with his sharp wit and kindness, had become an unexpected anchor in my life, especially since I’d never had a stable parental figure. His stories, usually punctuated with mischievous grins and hearty laughs, filled gaps I hadn’t known were there.
I’ve broached the topic of a live-in nurse more than once, met each time with a stubborn refusal. Grandpa cherishes his independence, a trait he and Grey share—a stubbornness to facelife head-on, alone if necessary. But it’s clear the situation is evolving beyond what stubbornness can handle.
Having a live-in nurse could provide the support he needs while maintaining his independence. I know how valuable this can be from talking with Morgan, who works as a live-in nurse. She says in-home care is an option that can enhance someone’s quality of life, especially when they’re not ready to move into a senior home. It’s a respectful and viable option, one that could give Grandpa the help he needs without uprooting his life.
It’s time to do something.
Standing, I pull out my phone, only hesitating for a second before I dial Morgan’s number. It’s been too long since our last call, anyway.
She picks up right away, her voice carrying that familiar, comforting lilt. “Hey, Ollie,” she greets warmly, her tone instantly brightening my mood. “I was just thinking about calling you.”
“Really?” I chuckle, the tension in my shoulders easing a bit. “Well, you first, then.”
“No, no, you called. Spill. What’s new?” she prods.
I’m about to dive into the latest on our AI project, starting with, “We’re fine-tuning Jamie’s algorithms—” But she cuts me off.
“Hold up, save the tech talk for later. I want the good stuff. How’s Amelia? Any progress?” Her curiosity bleeds through the line, and I hesitate, the warmth of my recent memories with Amelia flooding back.
“Um, yeah… we’ve talked… some,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck as I pace slightly. “Actually, I was at her place… she had an allergic reaction. It was pretty serious. She had to go to the hospital, but she’s okay now.”
“Wait, what? She hadwhat? And you werewhere?” Morgan’s voice spikes with concern, and I can almost see her raising her eyebrows in alarm.
“I’ll fill you in later,” I rush to add, wanting to steer back to why I really called. “But that’s not actually why I’m ringing you.”
Her tone shifts, “Okay… what’s up then?”
I take a deep breath. “It’s Grandpa Donovan. He had a fall.”
“Oh, damn. How bad?”
“I don’t know yet. But it’s not the first time,” I reply, feeling the weight of the situation. “We’ve been thinking about getting him a live-in nurse. I was hoping… maybe you could take a weekend off and come talk to him. He might listen to you.”
He definitely doesn’t listen to me.
There’s a heavy pause, the line crackling with tension before she responds, her voice softer, tinged with sadness. “Actually, Ollie, my client passed away yesterday. That’s why I wanted to call you.”
I stop in my tracks. “I’m so sorry,” I murmur, feeling a pang of empathy for the bond she’d lost. She always said he was like a good friend to her.
“It’s part of the job…” She sighs. “But it’s tough. And I have to move out all my stuff, and his family… they’re rushing me.”
Understanding her need for support, I quickly offer, “Why don’t you come stay with us for a bit? We can talk, maybe plan a little break for you. It could help.”
She breathes out a sound of mixed relief and appreciation. “That sounds perfect. I could use the company. And I can for sure talk to Grandpa about the nurse. Help him choose one.”
“Great,” I say, a genuine smile forming. “I’ll make sure the guest room is ready. Just let me know when.”
“We’ll talk logistics later. I need a few days to sort things out here, but… next week?”
“Whenever you’re ready. And hey, if you need help this weekend, I can swing by. The AI project can manage without me for a couple days.”
“That would mean a lot, Ollie. Thanks. I just… it’s been a lot.”
Morgan always is and has been the strong one in front of me. Hearing her so defeated? It has to be bad.
