He swept soot into a dustpan. “What brings you by?”
“Checking in on the folks.”
“Just in time for happy hour.” Randy set the broom aside and they walked inside together.
As clean as the garage was, the kitchen was a mess. The counters were cluttered with unopened mail, cans of beans and boxes of pasta.What’s going on here?As she walked past the table, she spied her mom’s Will.Hmm, I haven’t seen that in years.
Providence found her mom lying on the sofa. Her face was ashen white and her hair was oily and untidy. Normally, her mom did circles around everyone else. Not today.
“Hi, honey,” her mom said, while forcing herself up. “Looks like Dad called in the big guns.”
It was impossible to get one over on her mom.
“Why would he do that?” Randy asked.
Ignoring her brother, Providence sat beside her mom. “What’s going on?”
“Just relaxing.”
“I’m going to make myself a well-deserved drink,” Randy said. “Can I get anyone anything?”
“No, thanks,” Providence replied.
“Mom,” Randy said. “How about a wine spritzer?”
“Nothing for me,” she replied, but Randy had already left the room.
“Where’s Dad?” Providence asked.
“He was hovering, but since he brought you in as back up, he decided to take a break.”
Providence was concerned. Her mom didn’t look good, at all. She felt her mom’s forehead, but no fever. “What’s going on?” She’d lowered her voice and glanced over her shoulder. “We’re alone. Talk to me.”
“I think having Randy home has been more stressful than I realized. I’m just tired and a little dizzy, that’s all.”
“Dad is very concerned about you,” she whispered. “Normally, it’s the other way around. You’re always on him to take his blood pressure meds. Why don’t you go to the doctor so he’ll stop worrying?”
“I’m good, really.”
“Mom, c’mon.” Providence raised her eyebrows and waited.
Several seconds passed before her mom spoke. “Fine. I’ll go.”
She kissed her mom’s forehead. “Thank you. He set up something for next week. I can meet you guys there.”
Randy walked into the room holding a glass of beer and a wine spritzer, though Providence got the feeling he had been listening. He shot them a smile. “Beer is for me because I definitely earned it today.” He offered his mom the wine glass and she took it.
“You probably shouldn’t have any alcohol,” Providence said, taking the glass and setting it on the table.
“Don’t be a killjoy.” Randy shot her a glare. “The garage is cleaned out and I’m going to move your cars back in tonight. Mission accomplished.” Randy drained half the beer from the bottle.
“Thank you, Randy.” But their mom looked too miserable to care about the spotless garage.
Her dad walked into the room and gave Providence a hug. “What brings you by, honey?”
Providence’s mom laughed. “Oh, Gordon, you and Providence are so easy to read. She convinced me to go to the doctor. Are you happy now?”
He leaned down and kissed her. “Very.”
