‘No. A home care nurse can go to your house every day to monitor his progress, offer therapy and check medications. He may need to hire a walker for a while, or a stick. It will depend how his mobility is once we get him up and about again, but a lot of patients appreciate the feeling of support, especially at the start.’
‘He won’t like that,’ David said.
‘I don’t care whether he likes it or not,’ Mom replied sharply. ‘If it’s what he needs, then it’s what will happen. He’ll do as he’s told.’
‘Like always,’ I muttered.
‘I’ll make some calls tomorrow and sort it all out,’ Anna said.
‘There’s no need,’ the nurse replied cheerfully. ‘We can organize everything for you when we discharge Mr. Sawyer.’
Mom sniffed. ‘I don’t want just any old random person in my house, looking after my husband.’
‘Oh no, these people are very qualified. And they’ve all undergone comprehensive background and police checks upon employment. You have nothing to worry about.’ She smiled kindly. ‘You should all go and get some rest. I’m sure it’s been a very stressful night. I promise you Mr. Sawyer is in the best place.’
‘No,’ Mom said. ‘I’m not leaving him. Not tonight. But the rest of you can go. Your father needs peace and quiet.’
Anna, David and I exchanged looks.
‘Don’t worry, I will let you know if anything changes,’ Mom added. ‘But there is no point in all of us staying here. You heard the doctor.’ She pulled the sheet up my father’s chest and gently tucked it around him. ‘He’s going to be OK.’
‘OK.’ Anna said, getting to her feet. ‘I should really get home to Isabelle. Myles struggles to get her to take a bottle.’ She leaned down and kissed our father on the forehead. ‘Night, Dad,’ she said. ‘I love you.’
‘Give my granddaughter a kiss from me and tell Myles I’ll call him tomorrow. We might need a few things done around the house before your father comes home.’
‘What sort of things?’ I asked.
She flicked me a glance. ‘Whatever they recommend. Maybe some support rails in the bathroom. Things like that. I’ll talk to the doctor about it in the morning. I could get a tradesman in, of course, but Myles is very handy with tools. I’m sure he won’t mind.’
‘Of course he won’t mind,’ I agreed, frowning. ‘But I can do anything that needs to be done. You don’t need to bother him with it.’
She waved a hand. ‘I don’t want to trouble you.’
‘He’s my father,’ I said through gritted teeth. ‘It’s no trouble. Anything he needs, I can do for him.’
Anna held her hands up as she walked out of the room. ‘I’m going; you two can sort this out.’
‘Are you sure you don’t want us to stay?’ David asked. ‘Sophie and I don’t mind hanging out in the waiting room all night.’
‘Don’t be silly. There’s absolutely no need for that,’ Mom said, shaking her head. ‘Go. Get some sleep and come back tomorrow.’
‘OK.’ David kissed her on her cheek. ‘We’ll see you in the morning. Call if you need us.’
‘I’ll be fine.’
‘Come with me, Mrs. Sawyer,’ the nurse said, after David and Sophie had left. ‘I will show you where you can make tea and coffee and find yourself a blanket and pillow.’
Mom got slowly to her feet and looked at me. The normal façade of perfection had slipped. Tears had caused her makeup to melt into the fine lines around her eyes, and her hair had come loose from its normal confines. If she saw herself in a mirror she’d be horrified. Then again, maybe she wouldn’t care.She had certainly shown a softer side tonight than any of us were used to. ‘Can you stay with him until I get back?’
‘Of course.’
After they’d gone, I took the seat next to my father that had been vacated by Anna. The room was dim and silent, save from the gentle hum of the air conditioning unit that was pumping warm air into the room, and the rhythmic beep of Dad’s monitor.
‘Hey, Dad,’ I said softly. ‘I need you to get through this, OK?’
He looked so peaceful, sleeping. Apart from the slight droop on one side of his face, there was no sign of the trauma that had wreaked such havoc within. I sat there and thought about my memories of him, from childhood till now. Where our mother was distant, he was the opposite. Loud, affectionate, caring. I couldn’t imagine my life without him.
‘I’m so sorry if this is my fault,’ I whispered, feeling the guilt weigh heavily on my heart. ‘I know you want me to take over running the business.’ I sighed. ‘And I hate letting you down. I really do. It’s just… it’s not me. I wish I knew what to do.’ I closed my eyes and pinched the skin between my eyebrows, feeling a headache starting to build.
