“Eggs?” he said suggestively, teasing me.
“I get it. It doesn’t work.”
He chuckled. “You are the cutest.”
I gave him one last kiss, then climbed off his lap. “I’m going to make you eggs.”
I opened the refrigerator and pulled out the carton of eggs, spinach, peppers, cheese, and some heavy whipping cream. From the cupboard I grabbed some spices. And just as I was about to get a pan, the bell sounded from down the hall.
I met Elijah’s eyes.
His brows popped up in surprise. “Sheringsfor you?”
“To avoid a repeat of last night, it’s necessary.”
“Do you want me to stay? I can help. Lift her out of bed, get her into the wheelchair.”
I started shaking my head before he had even finished his thought. “No, I just need to… no… it’s… no.”
He stood from the table, put his mug in the sink, and then pulled me into a hug. “You need to take care of yourself.” His hands went to my shoulders, where he rubbed at a knot with his thumb.
“She’ll recover. It’s not like this is my life,” I said. “I can do anything for a short amount of time.”
Her bell rang again.
“Coming, Mom!” I called out. “Give me a minute!”
“I’ll get my shoes,” he said.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“Don’t be.” He kissed me soundly, then we both went our separate ways. Him to leave, me to take care of my mom.
CHAPTER 28
I ran my finger over the Toyota emblem on the steering wheel of my car. It had a smudge on its otherwise shiny silver surface. My car wasn’t new; in fact, it was the one I’d brought to college with me almost ten years ago, but I tried to keep it clean and well maintained so I could have it as long as possible. It was paid off, and I could not add another monthly payment to my life anytime soon. Plus, it was a hybrid and saved me tons on gas.
I looked around my car for a napkin or tissue to wipe the smudge. There was nothing.
Inside the house, my mom was probably still seething. We’d just gotten back from an appointment, where the doctor had sent us home with a rental scooter. I had thought she was excited about it since it would give her more independence, but when I’d wheeled her into the house and then brought the scooter inside, she’d just stared at it.
“It’s easy, Mom, look.” I’d kneeled on the raised pad and used my other foot to push off the ground. “It’s so sleek and agile.”
“You look ridiculous,” she’d said.
“But I don’tfeelridiculous,” I said, even though I did. “I feel fast. Just try it.”
“I don’t want to. I’m dizzy.”
“The doctor said you shouldn’t be.” It had been a couple of days since her fall, but she didn’t seem much better.
“Does the doctor live inside my head?”
“Would he want to?” I’d muttered.
“Leave me alone,” she’d said.
“Gladly,” I’d shot back.
