“One question at a time.” She breathes out a laugh. “I’m perfectly fine, nothing hurts, and I didn’t hit my head. The hole in the yard there tripped me, and down I went. I would’ve been fine on my own if there were something nearby to help me up. It’s a good thing I had my cell phone with me, or it would’ve made for a long afternoon out here.”
“She was sitting up when I got here, and I got her in the chair right before you pulled in.”
“I will say, being rescued by a strapping young lad like you isn’t anything to complain about.”
I give her a look. “Okay, well, I still want to check you out and make sure you’re okay.”
Trey suppresses a laugh by clearing his throat. “How about we go inside, Dot?” he suggests.
Gran hands me her water, and Trey helps her stand. She holds onto his arm as they walk inside.
“Edward and I used to ice skate while holding arms like this. Neither of us was any good at it, but we’d try every winter for years.”
“I’m from the South, so I’ve never tried ice skating. Maybe that’s something I need to do my first winter in Colorado.”
“Jessie knows how, and she can teach you.”
I have to fight the urge to scoff. Trey has a list of women a mile long he could take ice skating. It will not be me.
Trey leads Gran to the table where she sits and lets me look her over and ask a few more questions. She’s slightly dehydrated, but overall unharmed. It’s not long before she’s feeling tired and moves to her chair in the living room. I watch her chat with Trey for several minutes while I process the day.
Gran fell.
She couldn’t get up.
She’s aging right before my eyes. The years are starting to show as she loses strength and stamina. She’s less steady on her feet and has even cut back on her cooking and baking because it wears her out.
I turn, cutting across the kitchen, exiting the back door.
I need fresh air.
I walk into the yard, breaths coming quicker.
She’s okay. She’s okay, I repeat to myself. Trying and failing to slow my panicked breathing. The texts waiting on my phone don’t help my frantic state.
Daryl
Leaving work early doesn’t pay the bills.
Daryl
I’ll be stopping by.
How does he know I left early?
Breathing deeply, I try to pinpoint when my life changed, how I got to this point. There was a time when I was carefree, outgoing, and happy. Where did that girl go? Now, Gran is aging too fast, and Daryl lurks around every corner.
A warm hand touches my shoulder, and I jump. I lock my phone and whip around to face him.
“Jessie, are you okay?”
I shake my head, tears welling now.
Trey doesn’t say a word. He pulls me in for a hug. I don’t think he’s ever touched me like this. There isn’t anything sexual about it, it’s just . . . comforting. He’s been here for me on a day that could’ve been much, much worse. Having him here to help is honestly a relief.
“She’s okay now. You’re okay,” he says, arms still wrapped around me.
I release him and wipe the tears away, pulling myself together. “She’s okaythis time. This is the first time something like this has happened, but she’s aging, Trey. And I can’t stop it.”
