Goldie nodded. He looked at the medium-built man as he leaned over his grandmother. Even though he’d been thrown into the medical arena by his grandma’s illness, he still couldn’t get used to men being nurses. “I noticed one of my grandma’s eyes is a little red and crusty. It’s the right one.”
Dan turned on the overhead light, then bent over and looked at Helen. “You’re right. There’s a lot of crustiness there. I’ll let Dr. Rudman know. We need to get her up. Dinner is ready and she really needs to try and eat something.”
“Okay. I’m here, so I can coax her.”
Dan smiled. “She always eats so much better when you or your sister are with her. I’ll have the CNAs help her up and see if I can find Dr. Rudman.”
Goldie tensed as Dan left the room. He was not a fan of Dr. Rudman. His feeling was that the doctor decided who should be treated and who shouldn’t based on the quality of their lives. At Cherry Vale, there were three doctors who treated the patients: Dr. Tyrell was the head physician, Dr. Rudman was part-time, and Dr. Daniels, also part-time, had his own practice. Goldie had tried to have another doctor assigned to his grandma, but so far Dr. Rudman was still her physician.
After the CNAs had his grandmother up and seated in her recliner, Kevin, a part-time CNA, came into the room with a dinner tray. He placed it on the hospital table and stared at the older woman. “Are you gonna eat good tonight, sweetheart?”
“What the fuck?” Goldie pushed away from the windowsill.
Kevin shifted his cold gaze to him. “Did you say something to me?”
“Yeah. You don’t fuckin’ call my grandma ‘sweetheart.’ That’s just fuckin’ weird.”
“I was only trying to be nice. Sometimes when I talk like that she’ll eat better. Won’t you, sweetheart?” He stroked her cheek.
Goldie grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard until Kevin cried out. “Don’t ever call my grandma anything but her name. Give her the respect she deserves. And never touch her like that again. Next time, I’ll break your goddamn hand.”
“Garth! Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.” Her voice was strong and clear.
As mad as Goldie was, he laughed aloud and stroked her cheek. “You always catch me, Grandma.” He bent down and kissed the top of her head.
“And don’t you forget it. I’m hungry.”
Looping his foot under a stool, he dragged it over and sat down, then took off the plate covers. From his peripheral view, he saw Kevin still standing and watching them. “You’re done here. Get out.” Goldie glared at him.
“So you’re going to help her eat? I usually do.”
“You’re pretty dense. I’m fucking here so I’ll help her.”
Kevin’s gaze was fixed on her as he slowly walked backward until he exited the room.
“Does he act weird like that all the time?” he asked as he put a towel around her neck.
While nodding, she picked up her fork. “He’s a strange man. I really don’t like him.”
Goldie’s jaw tightened as he helped her cut her chicken. “I’m gonna make sure he doesn’t come into your room. I don’t like the sonofabitch.”
She broke out in a string of laughter. “You’re on a roll tonight.”
He loved it when the clarity came back and his grandmother was the person he’d known since he was born.
“Hi, Mrs. Humphries. It looks like you’re enjoying your dinner with Garth.” Hailey’s voice was bright and warm, as if a beam of sunshine had been melted into sound. Goldie watched her as she came into the room and stood before his grandmother. “I’m Hailey Shilley. I’m not sure you remember me.”
Helen peered at her as she chewed her food. After swallowing, she grinned. “You’re Garth’s girlfriend. It’s about time.” She clapped her hands.
“She’s not my woman, Grandma. She’s Ryan’s sister.” Goldie scowled at Hailey as she giggled.
“I know Ryan. Where is he? Is he coming over for dinner tonight?”
“I hope I’m not confusing her,” Hailey whispered.
“You’re not. She has moments of clarity and then they slip away,” he said flatly as he saw the vacant gaze he was too familiar with creeping into his grandmother’s eyes.
“What seems to be the trouble here? The nurse told me your grandmother’s left eye is having a problem?” Dr. Rudman, a man in his late thirties, walked into the room, a stethoscope around his neck and a clipboard in his hand.
