Chapter 23
Harrison
Rushing through the doors of Candy Cane Key Medical Center, I approach the volunteer desk. “Hi, I need Carolyn Hightower’s room, please.”
“Certainly, sir. Ah, I’ve got it right here. She’s in room 210.”
Not wanting to wait for the elevator, I dart into the stairwell and take the steps two at a time until I reach the second floor. Rushing down the hall, my head snaps back and forth until I find her room.
“Mom,” I blurt as I bust through her door like a bat out of hell.
“Shhh,” Joyce greets, her finger over her lips. “She’s resting.”
My eyes bounce back to my mother, seeming so frail in this hospital bed. “What did the doctor say?”
“They said it doesn’t look like a hip fracture, just a pelvic fracture.”
My heart is racing a mile a minute. “What’s the fucking difference?” I ask, dropping into a chair next to my mother’s bed.
“There’s a big difference. Hip fractures require surgery, pelvic fractures, while painful, can heal on their own.”
I reach back and scratch the back of my neck. “I guess that is a big difference.” The absolute last thing I want is for her to endure surgery.
“Yes. She’ll need to be in rehab for a while. Until they can manage her pain better. But more than likely, she’ll come home soon. Once we can figure out how it’ll impact her daily life and mental state.”
“I’ll call Mr. Hill. Let him know I’m going to need some time off.”
“You’ll do no such thing.”
My head whips to Joyce.
“Harrison, this is manageable. You won’t be able to offer her anything I can’t by being there. If something changes and you need to return home, we’ll cross that bridge when the time comes. We need to see what the rehabilitation doctor recommends. Save the time off until it’s absolutely necessary.”
I reach out for my mother’s hand, rubbing the back of it with my own. Maybe the stress of this job and being away is taking its toll. All I could think about on the way back here was the what ifs. The CT scan hadn’t been completed at the time Joyce had called. They were evaluating her brain and her hip, given the awkward position Joyce had found her in this morning. What if she needed surgery? Would they even perform surgery, given her Alzheimer’s? What if there were complications?
What if I lost her?
The thought had been unbearable. Even if she was trapped in her own body, she was all I had. I know the day is looming, but I’m not ready. Not by a long shot.
It was a simple accident. My mother had been trying to remove her flannel nightgown on the side of the bed when she got one arm stuck in the sleeve, lost her balance, and struck the ground. Joyce hadn’t realized she was awake. There’s an alarm on her mattress that alerts if she’s gotten out of bed. It wasn’t until Joyce heard it that she found her sprawled on the floor.
As upset as I am, it’s no one’s fault. We’ve tried to think of every precaution, but whether she’s living at home or a skilled nursing facility, accidents can happen.
Suddenly, my phone chirps with text after text.
2:38 p.m.
Harlow
Have you made it back to town?
2:40 p.m.
Harlow
How’s your mom?
2:43 p.m.
Harlow
I wish I’d been working today. I was at a doctor’s appointment with Alec. He has strep throat.
2:44 p.m.
Harlow
Mom’s with him now.
2:45 p.m.
Harrison
She’s okay. She has a pelvic fracture.
2:48 p.m.
Harlow
Oh. That beats a hip fracture.
2:50 p.m.
Harrison
So everyone keeps telling me.
2:53 p.m.
Harlow
Is she in a room yet?
2:55 p.m.
Harrison
Yes. She’s in room 210.
I’ve barely finished responding with her text when Harlow comes flying into the room, looking like she ran all the way from her mother’s house.
“I got here as fast as I could,” she blurts.
“Shhhh,” Joyce and I greet.
Harlow slaps her hand over her mouth before coming to my side, inspecting the monitor my mother is connected to. I guess it’s probably a force of habit for a nurse.
“Did they give her pain medicine?” she whispers.
I turn to Joyce.
“No. They had to sedate her to get her to lie still enough for the CT scan. She’s been sleeping ever since. But she probably needed the rest.”
The three of us sit silently, watching her as if we can heal her purely by telepathy.
“Joyce, you should go and get some rest. You must be exhausted.”
“I am tired. But if she wakes up and is confused, please tell the nice nurses I’m happy to return.”
Harlow reaches out to put a reassuring hand on Joyce’s arm.
“I’ve got it from here, Joyce,” I reassure her.
“Harrison,” she scolds.
“Joyce, I’m not going to be able to rest anywhere but here. I’ll consider returning to work once she’s in rehab, but I’ve been absent enough.”
“You listen to me, young man. Do not take on any guilt for this. It could’ve happened while you were at home. It was an accident. If anyone’s to blame here, it’s me.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Joyce.”
“I know that. Nor was it yours. Now, I’m a phone call away if you need anything. Plus, I met your sweet neighbor, Tom. He came over when he saw the ambulance and introduced himself. He volunteers with the fire department and said all I had to do was yell and he’d be there if I ever needed anything.”
I’d met Tom once on a walk with Mom. He’s an older fella who seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I had no idea he worked with the fire department. I’d have to bring Matt over to meet him the next time he was in town.
“I’m going to try to get some rest while she’s here. And so should you. We’re probably going to need all hands on deck once she’s discharged. So, get your little brother on the phone and let him know to get prepared.”
I wince, knowing the impact this will have on both he and Ellie.
“It’s only temporary, Harrison. And you can’t take all of this on yourself. We’ll divide and conquer,” she announces before covering her mouth for fear her volume may have risen high enough to wake Mom.
“She’s right, you know.”
Turning, I find Harlow peering at me. I’d almost forgotten she was here.
“What part?”
“All of it. Let me help.”
“Harlow,” I growl. “You have enough on your plate with working two jobs and the boys.”
“I still have days off, Harrison. I can help.”
I’m irritated. I know she’s only trying to help, but I feel guilty enough over having to disrupt Matt and Ellie’s lives. At least Joyce is getting paid. But paycheck or not, I don’t want her to feel she’s working twenty-four-seven. She’s practically done that since I started flying back and forth to Miami. I should’ve known taking on this job with Outer Banks would be too much. Harlow stretching herself to add one more thing to her plate would be one more stressor than I could bear right now.
Harlow returns to my side, resting her hand on my shoulder, and I flinch.
I feel like a coil wound so tight I could fly off the handle at any moment. “You should go.” It’s not that I don’t appreciate her being here, but I’m so overwhelmed right now. I need some space. I place my hand over hers. “Go look after Alec. He needs you.”
Her hand stiffens under my touch. I should apologize for my gruff demeanor, but I just need… fuck, I don’t know what I need . Two clones of me to manage my business and care for my mother? A cure for this awful disease? A Candy Cane Key Christmas miracle?
“Okay. Well… call if you need me.” Her voice sounds so dejected. She doesn’t deserve this. I don’t want to hurt her, but I need a moment to breathe. To figure this out.
“Harlow. I’m sorry. I’m…” My head falls, the weight of all of this too much.
She squats down in front of me. “Look, I get it. It’s a lot. Especially with your job sending you everywhere. Just reach out if I can help.” She stands, gives me a chaste kiss on the cheek, and leaves. My shoulders slump. I know she’s only trying to help.
I suck at relationships. Everyone I care about leaves. Is it me? Have I somehow pushed them all away? If that display with Harlow is any indication, probably so. My gaze lands on my mother. While she may be here physically, I know the mother I used to know practically has one foot out the door. But I’m clinging to what’s left for as long as I possibly can.
Replaying her words, I can’t help but scratch my head. Something doesn’t add up. She’s made comments like this a few times now. Especially with your job sending you everywhere… I wondered why you wouldn’t just cancel your lease and move to Miami… Does she not realize I own the company? I probably should’ve corrected her. Was I subconsciously protecting myself after everything I went through with Stephanie? Hell, deep down, I knew Harlow was no money grubber. I replay her statement. Especially with your job sending you everywhere…
Yet my job isn’t sending me anywhere. I did this to myself. And now I have to figure out how to fix it.
I just hope I don’t lose everyone I care about in the process.