Ray catches on quickly. “Well, I thought we could spend some time together. Summer got to visit most of the day yesterday.”
“I’ll come have lunch with you two. How does that sound?”
“Okay,” Jake replies, so I kiss him on the cheek.
“Rest. Love you.”
“Love you, Sum.”
I slip out and go next door. “That was fast, darling,” Dad comments.
“Yeah. He was falling asleep, so I figured it was a good time to leave. I’m going to text Holly and see if her mom is working today, and Alex, then get some homework done.”
“I put feelers out too,” he smiles.
Chapter 49
Summer
On Monday morning, the three of us sit down to discuss options. Zander has a list of two rehab facilities from his contacts: one in Columbia, one in Charleston. I looked them up earlier, and they have mostly good reviews but a few bad ones each. Patients were mainly older people as well. Alex suggested the university hospital or home care, while Holly’s mom told me to definitely opt for home care if we could afford it.
“I have a list from Dr. Crosby, which includes this hospital. I’ve found several others in South Carolina, all with mixed reviews,” Ray says.
“Are you just going to look for work wherever you end up, Ray? That will affect this decision,” Zander asks.
“No, for now I’ll stay home with Jake. Once he’s able to take care of himself, I’ll find another job.”
“I think home care is the best option,” I say. “I wouldn’t want to be stuck in a hospital any longer than necessary.”
“I agree, for what it’s worth,” Zander offers. “How do you feel about that, Ray?”
“I'm concerned about the mixed reviews all these places seem to have. Can Jake get all the care he needs at home?”
“You’d need a live-in nurse. Physiotherapy could be at home, or you could take Jake to physiotherapy. Probably a therapist, too.”
“I don’t know where to begin with home care,” Ray says.
“Can you guys move to the Charleston area?” I ask hopefully.
“Zander and I talked about that, and I think Jake will want to be near you, so yes, if he can get the care he needs.”
“Oh, thank goodness. I was prepared to argue my case,” I reply. I have an actual list written out with reasons Jake should come back to Charleston. At the top was the fact that Jake is gonna be super pissed at Ray when he finds out his parents left him in Virginia. Now it looks like I can avoid that conversation for now.
“We don’t have much time here. Ray, the first thing we need is a place for you guys to live. If you give me a price and wish list, I can get started on that for you,” Zander offers.
“Thanks,” Ray replies. They discuss options and price ranges, understanding that it will need to be modified for Jake.
“I can have Alex and Holly’s mom interview nurse candidates and narrow the choices for us. Alex can get the word out quickly.”
“Who are Alex and Holly?” Ray asks.
“Sorry,” I reply. After reminding him he met Alex, I explain Holly and their connections, and he agrees to let them begin the process. I text Alex right away, and he said he’ll get on it now and was already looking for qualified candidates for nursing and physiotherapy. “Alex already started looking,” I smile.
“What about moving your things, Ray?” Zander asks.
“I can get movers for that. I need to fly back to Tennessee and talk to the company I work for, and can hire movers while I’m there and get the condo on the market.”
“Good. When do you want to fly back?” I ask. With Jake expected to be discharged this week, he needs to go soon.
