“So I suppose you’re all wondering why I called you over here tonight. I’ve talked a bit with Jacques, and he decided that it was better for him to stay with Hattie tonight in case she needed him. I think we’ve all known for a while that she’s slowing down, and the illness is taking over.”
His father wasn’t saying anything he didn’t already know, but Landon felt a sense of dread creep over him.
“Honestly, there’s a difference between knowing and seeing it with your own eyes,” Red continued. “The last few weeks have been difficult, to say the least. Hattie had a doctor’s appointment yesterday because she really wasn’t feeling well. Her ability to walk has been compromised, and she’s lost even more weight because her appetite just isn’t where it should be. Dr. Benjy acknowledged that it will only be a few more weeks, maybe a month, if something extraordinary happens.”
No one said a word. There was just an eerie silence that settled in at the table. Landon knew that he didn’t have any words to convey his sorrow, and he imagined everyone else felt the same way. It was unimaginable. And there was not a single thing that they could do to change what was coming.
“What can we do to help?” Landon asked. “There’s got to be something.”
Red shrugged. “I think all we can do at this point is just be there for her. Shower her with love. Surround her with the love she’s always given us.”
“What about her bucket list?” Xavier asked. “Can we try to make that happen?”
“Bailey had a great idea about bringing Vegas to her and maybe hosting something for her at Northern Exposure,” Landon said.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Red said, “but I don’t think she’s up to that.”
Landon turned to Bailey. She’d tried her best to help Hattie complete her bucket list. He knew that she only wanted to help out. Her Vegas idea had been a great one.
“Sorry,” he said in a low voice.
“That’s okay,” she said. She looked around the table. “Iknow one item we can definitely help out with.” She paused before saying, “We can host a chili cheese dinner for her at the house.”
“Now that’s a great idea,” Sophia gushed. “She would love that!”
“And it would be easy to pull off,” Xavier said. “True can help with the food. And if it’s at the house, it won’t be too taxing on her.”
“Great idea, Bailey,” Caleb said. “We need to focus on the things we can do to enhance this final chapter of her life.”
Landon reached over and squeezed Bailey’s hand underneath the table.
“Thanks, Bailey,” Red said. “I don’t think we should wait, if I’m being honest. If we all work together, we can ensure that Hattie’s last days and weeks are joyful. There’s no way of knowing the time or the hour, but there’s power in knowing it’s quickly approaching.”
Nobody disagreed with Red’s opinion. He had laid everything out succinctly.
“I think we’re on the same page,” Landon said, looking around the room.
Caleb nodded. His brother appeared more somber than he’d ever seen him. “All hands on deck.”
“Operation Hattie,” Bailey said, clutching Landon’s hand.
It was evident that there would be no last-minute miracles. No reprieves. They all seemed to understand that time was running out.
Bailey understood the assignment. She had been tasked with picking up the decorations for Hattie’s bucket list party.Since Hattie loved festive decorations, Bailey had leaned in to the assignment. Anything for Hattie!
She had gone all out with a red-and-yellow theme, bright colors that she knew Hattie would adore. Napkins. Plates. Funky little cups. For fun she bought a huge piñata and stuffed it with candy, especially the one she knew Hattie loved—Tootsie Rolls. A huge red-and-yellow banner with the words “Party Animal” printed on it. Just looking at the banner made her smile. She also picked up some party favors. Glow-in-the-dark bracelets in bright colors.
When she reached Hattie’s house, preparations were in full swing. Xavier and True were in the kitchen, setting up an assembly line for the chili dogs. Red was standing beside them with an apron on, stirring a vat of chili.
“Smells good in here,” she said, sniffing the air. The aromatic smell made her want to dig into a chili cheese dog.
True looked over at her and made a face. “I’m not sure my stomach can take the smell of so many chili dogs. I don’t think the baby likes them.”
“Do you want me to take over for you?” Bailey asked. True seemed miserable.
“No thanks. Caleb’s already offered to take my place,” True said. “If he ever comes back in here.”
“We might need to send out a search party,” Red said, appearing slightly amused by his son’s disappearing act.
