* * *
My mother was holdingcourt when I arrived in her hospital room. A female nurse and male orderly were laughing politely at something she’d said. I marveled at her strength. After her son and daughter-in-law died, she’d allowed herself several days to grieve before wiping away the tears, rolling up her sleeves, and getting to work making a stable home for her grandchildren to live in. In fact, they left their own home of thirty years to move into Miles and Darcy’s house so the kids would feel as comfortable as possible during this horrible time in theirlives.
Her devotion was admirable, for sure, but my mother hadn’t allowed herself enough time to heal from the trauma of losing her oldest son, and the stress of it all was dragging her down. And now she was here, entertaining the hospital staff, when what she needed was both physical andmentalrest.
“Casey!” She became even more animated upon seeing me. “This is my daughter.” Then, from behind her hand, she motioned with her thumb. “The one I told youabout.”
Surely Mom had given them the lowdown on my hot rock star husband, and the three of us exchanged awkward hellos as they looked me up and down. I mean, what were they expected to say – congratulations? I walked over and hugged my father before leaning down and kissing my mom’s cheek. The words I’d intended to speak sank down into my chest as I fought to control my emotions. This incident proved she was only human and that realization scared me. I couldn’t losehertoo.
“None of that, Casey. I’m fine. Everyone’s making a big deal out of nothing. It was just a little heartburn… embarrassing, really. I’m absolutely fine and ready togohome.”
“You aren’t fine, Mom. You need rest. This happened because you’re over-stressed and not taking care ofyourself.”
“Everyone’s making such a fuss. It’sannoying.”
“Because we need you. Mom, you’ve got to get healthy. None of us can survive without you.” I sniffled through each painful word. “You’re what’s keeping us allintact.”
“What do you want me to do? I can’t be lying in this hospital bed. Those kids need meathome.”
“Well, I’m here now, and I’ll take care of them while you get the restyouneed.”
My father perked up right away, grabbing my hand andsqueezingit.
“I hate that you have to come here and take time away from Jake and your life,” she said. “I promise, just a few days and I’ll be as goodasnew.”
* * *
After spellingout for Jake the situation at home and the need to get the kids away for a while, I droppedthebomb.
“How long are we talking?” he asked, trying to disguise the doubt in his voice. Neither one of us was used to caring for kids twenty-four seven, so I got his hesitation. I was feeling thesameway.
“Three or four weeks. I’ll take them on outings at the differentstops.”
“The travel might be tough on them and the bus feels pretty confining after awhile.”
“We’llmanage.”
“And what aboutyourwork?”
“I’ll take some time off as soon as I finish the clients I’m working on now. Jake, I know this isn’t ideal but, under the circumstances, I don’t see any other alternative. I could stay here for the next few weeks, but I know my Mom – she won’t rest. This is theonlyway.”
“Checking us all into a mental institution seemseasier.”
“No doubt.” I laughed at the visual image of his copingstrategy.
“But we’ll make it work,” heconceded.
“You’resure?”
“No.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure at all, but I can always force Lassen to babysit for a few hours if they get to be too much tohandle.”
“Oh no.” I cringed. “I didn’t thinkabouthim.”
“I mean, Lassen can’t even deal with a single Kleenex in his trashcan,” Jake said. “How will he handle two little germmagnets?”
* * *
“Casey!”Sydney screeched as she flung herself into my arms and buried her head in my stomach. She’d become so clingy, something so out of character for the precocious child she’d always been. “I missed yousomuch!”
