Chapter 25
Harrison
“Harrison.”
Tucking my phone back into my pocket, I turn to find Dr. Romano, Mom’s rehabilitation physician, rushing in my direction.
“Hey, I’m glad I caught you. I know you’re a busy man. I just spoke with the social worker, Tiffany. She said you wanted to discharge your mother as soon as possible. I needed to make sure you understood the risks of bringing her home before we’re confident she has safety measures in place. Occupational and physical therapy are working with her to help teach her to dress and maneuver her surroundings so she doesn’t have another fall.
“Dr. Romano, you know as well as I do, they aren’t going to be able to teach her anything. That part of her mind has shut down permanently. I appreciate the effort. But she can receive therapy as easily at home as here. If nothing else, it might teach those of us who are living with her.”
I hate to be testy with this guy. But I’m being stretched beyond my limits right now. The last thing I need is to add the rehab facility to the mix. Not if there isn’t a damn good reason for her to be here. Things are falling apart with everyone out sick at multiple job sites, and I just had to tell Braxton’s secretary I won’t make it back to Miami until tomorrow.
“I understand. Tiffany will work with you to get the home care set up. We only want to see her have a good outcome. While she doesn’t require surgery, the healing process will be complicated. We have to be careful about pain medication in light of her cognition. But it’s imperative she get up and moving about. This will reduce her risks of a pulmonary embolus or pneumonia. PT will help her use a walker and OT will assess if there is any other adaptive equipment she’ll need to keep her safe.”
A walker? I guess it makes sense. But can’t imagine how that’s going to go. She barely remembers to wear shoes before she goes out the door. “We already have things in place, but I appreciate their effort and will gladly provide whatever they recommend. But I’m certain she’s more comfortable at home. The nurses had a hard time keeping her calm and cooperative last night. That’s not good for her or them.”
My irritation is starting to bubble over. I’ve got twenty-four hours to get as much done as possible before returning to Miami. “I need to get back to Mom. I’m hoping I can take her home this afternoon so I can meet with the home therapy team tomorrow before I leave.” I don’t miss the grimace on his face at my request, but I need him to work with me.
“We’ll do the best we can.”
“I appreciate that. But one way or the other, she’ll be at home tonight. I’d prefer it to be with your help.” She needs to be back in her own surroundings before the confusion of sundowners kicks in again. Receiving phone calls to return to the hospital because they can’t get Mom to settle down isn’t a tolerable option if Joyce and I can provide what she needs where she’s more relaxed.
With a curt wave, I spin in the direction of Mom’s room, anxious to check in on her before I pick up the items Joyce requested. Once there, I notice she has a tray of food placed by her bed, but the rubber dome is still over her plate and she’s asleep.
I pull the bedside chair closer to her and give her arm a little rub, her vibrant red nails catching me by surprise. Her lids slowly open to greet me, those blue eyes seeming less bright these days. Is it the pain?
Or are they fading away like the rest of her?
“Hey, sleepyhead. Your lunch is here. Do you want to eat something?” Reaching over to the bedside table, I lift the dome to find a sad-looking tuna fish sandwich and chips. There are some fruit slices in a small cup off to the side. Hell, if I didn’t have an appetite because I was recuperating, this certainly wouldn’t tempt me. One more reason to get her home. “Do you want some of this fruit?”
Silence. Her favorite retort.
“I like your nails.” I stroke the shiny surfaces. Hmmm. Wonder why this one is bare? Maybe it’s some new trend.
“She’s pretty.”
My head snaps up, my smile feeling so foreign on my face I almost rub my cheeks. “They’re pretty, you mean.” Those blue eyes have a bit more of a twinkle than was there mere moments ago. Had Char come by? Or maybe one of the nurses here? Regardless, I am grateful. These moments of clarity are so short-lived. “Are you hurting, Mom?”
“No.”
“Do you want to try to eat?”
“No.” She lets out a sigh, and I squeeze her hand a little tighter.
“I’m going to bring you home today. We’re trying to get everything straight first. You’ll have to work with the therapists. They want to keep you safe. But Joyce will be there.”
There’s no further acknowledgment as she closes her eyes and drifts back to wherever she’d been before I arrived. Lifting her sweet hand to my mouth, I kiss her knuckles and try to chase away the negative thoughts that often come when I’m alone with her this way. Wondering how much longer I have with her. Which word might be her last.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
I glance down to see Char’s face and smile. “Hey. If you aren’t a sight for sore eyes.”
“Um, we’re on the phone. Do I need to have you checked out while you’re in and out of that hospital?”
“Your picture pops up on my phone, you goof.”
“Ah.” She giggles.
“So what’s up?”
“I’m just checking in on you. How’s she doing?”
Leaning back in my chair, I try to focus on the positive. “She spoke a little.”
“Oh, Harry.” She breathes. “That’s wonderful.”
“Yeah. It didn’t last long, but I’ll take whatever she’ll give me.” Instinctively, I rub her sweet hand again. There’s no disputing it. I’m a glorified momma’s boy. But she’s been the one person in my life I could count on. And she deserves the same in return.
“I can’t tell if she’s in pain. They’ve probably given her something, but she keeps falling asleep. But then again, that could be because she was up all night raising havoc.”
“Oh no.”
“Yeah. They finally broke down and called me around 1:30 in the morning because they didn’t have the staff to keep her in her bed.”
“So, you’ve been up all night with her?”
“I think I caught a little catnap. She seemed to settle down once I got here.”
I hear some commotion in the background and assume Char’s at work. “Sorry. I had a break between clients, but my next is here ready for the works.”
“Thanks for calling, Char. Sorry I’ve been so distant. It’s—”
“Harry. You don’t need to apologize. I get it. I have no idea how you’re juggling it all.”
The problem is, I’m not.
“I’m your friend to the bitter end, babe. Whether you call today or a year from now, I won’t love you any less. Life happens.”
I can feel my shoulders relax. I’ve had so much guilt about the people in my life I’m letting down. Mom, Gus and the guys, Braxton, Harlow, her boys… it’s all too much. “Thank you. I needed that.”
“When do you head out?”
“I need to fly out tomorrow night. I’m bringing Mom home tonight, one way or the other. Then, after she’s settled tomorrow, I’ll catch a flight back to Miami. Thank god for Joyce.”
“Well, I’ll try to drop by and see her. She needs a fresh coat on her nails, I’m sure.”
My brows pull together. “I thought you’d already done that.”
“Okay, Joyce. I’m planning to fly out in the afternoon after the therapy team arrives.” Thankfully, either Dr. Romano or Tiffany managed to arrange the nurse, physical therapist, and occupational therapist to arrive together this afternoon so we can address any issues before I leave.
“That’s fine, Harrison. We’ll manage.”
“I want to drop by and talk to the crew at the hospital before heading to the airport. So I may leave them in your care after we cover the basics.” I rub my stiff neck muscles just thinking about it. “It’s going to be a busy day.”
“Harry?”
“Yeah?”
“How do you want me to handle her pain medication?”
“What do you mean? Like lock it up? I’ve got a small safe you can put everything in.”
“No, I’ve got that covered. But I know it makes her sleep. And she’ll need to get up and move around. I don’t want her to be any more unsteady than she already is.”
“I don’t want her in pain, Joyce. If she sleeps a little more, that’s okay. Nothing is more important than keeping her comfortable.”
I wish her goodnight and head to my room to pack, so I’ll be ready to head out as soon as I can tomorrow.
“Jo!” Walking over to my old friend, I pull him in for a hug. “It’s been too long.”
“You’re right. It’s bad enough I never see your brother or Ellie anymore. Well, unless Charlene comes by and lets me talk to them on their face chat or whatever you call it.”
I chuckle, picturing him trying to talk to them without the camera zooming in on his left nostril. “Yeah. The last time I tried to video chat, Jimmy Dean kept trying to take over the conversation.”
Jo lets out a hearty chuckle. “That damn pig. He’s living the life.”
“That he is.” Here I was groaning about having to stop and get gas before stopping by the construction site. This guy is the lift I needed today. He’s a staple in this town. Despite health issues and the waxing and waning economy, he’s managed to keep this gas station thriving. But this place is more than somewhere to pump petrol. It’s a small-town comfort. Maybe a little less so since Ellie moved away with my brother.
My eyes shift over to the deli counter, noting someone new has taken up residency there. “See somebody new is in place.”
“Yeah. An up and comer.” He laughs. “There ain’t nobody around who can fill Ellie’s shoes.”
A proud smile crosses my face. “Yeah. I miss them.”
“Well, call them back and tell them to get back down here and help you out. I heard about your momma. You’ve been holding down the fort alone for too long, son. Get your brother to come.”
He’s right. And I know Matt will come when he can. But I hate disrupting their lives any more than I have to.
“You’re right.”
“Tell Jimmy Dean to settle down. I’m sure one of the neighbors can feed him for a few days.”
I snort. “I don’t think that pig misses many meals.” My eyes land on the clock above the counter. “Hell. I’ve gotta go, Jo. I need to stop by the construction site before I head out.”
“It was good to see you, Harry. Give your mother my love,” he adds as he walks me out the door toward my truck. Placing his hands on his hips, he stretches his neck, looking up into the sky. “There’s a storm a coming.”
“What? It’s gorgeous out. There’s not a cloud in the sky.” I’m usually more in tune with the forecast, given I have multiple construction crews to manage. But admittedly, with everything going on with Mom, that’s the last thing on my mind.
“Mark my words, boy. There’s a storm coming. And it’s going to be a beaut.”
Harlow
“Hey, girl. Why you so down? We just got here?”
I look up from my seat on the shuttle bus to find Sadie and Shay placing their bags on the seats in front of me. “Impending doom, probably.” The last few shifts have really been tough. Not just the volume while we’ve been short staffed. But the cases. It’s never easy watching people receive a diagnosis that will likely change the rest of their life.
“You back with us in the ER, Shay?”
“You can’t get rid of me.” She laughs. “I doubt I’ll be anywhere else until they can get more nurses on the schedule.
As we make the short trek to the ER, my heart sinks as I see the empty scaffolding platform come into view. It’s just not the same when he’s not here. The bus stops, and we gather our things. Another evening shift calling our names.
Taking the few steps off of the bus, I notice Harry standing under the pop-up shelter talking to a crew member. My heart skips a beat, thinking I might get to begin my shift with another quick peck. I clutch my tote a little tighter and start to turn in his direction when he shifts, his eyes landing on mine.
But there’s no smile. No flirty wink. It’s like I’m invisible. Like he’s looking right through me. He isn’t dressed in his usual work attire. There’s no hard hat in his hand, nor on his head. Harrison looks down at his watch and continues his conversation with his co-worker.
As if I’m not even here.
Blinking rapidly, I spin on my heel and make my way for the doors. And to think I thought the impending doom was related to my job.