Chapter 7 #2
As I finished up, my phone rang on the counter. It was an incoming FaceTime call from KJ. Swiping the screen to answer, his face popped up on the screen. Before I could say hello, EJ leaned over into the screen like someone had called for him.
“Not you being nosey,” I teased, moving him back from the screen, so I could see. “Wassup, son?”
“Who kid?” KJ asked.
“My client’s. I started that nanny position, remember?”
“Oh, right.” EJ looked at the screen again. “Wassup, man?” KJ spoke to him, and EJ gave him a head nod.
“You alright?” I asked KJ.
“Yeah. I was calling to see if I can stay over Godma Nae’s house for another night. Winter Break started, so I don’t have school tomorrow.”
I thought for a second. “Yeah. That’s cool. Do you have practice tomorrow?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. Danae can drop you off, and I’ll be there to pick you up.”
“Ma, come on.”
“Text me the time, KJ.”
He sucked his teeth and shook his head. “Aight, man.”
Just then, Enzo’s voice echoed outside of the bedroom, calling EJ’s name.
“I gotta go. Don’t forget to text me the time,” I said, letting EJ down off the sink. “I love you.”
“Uh huh. Love you too.”
I ended the call just as EJ sprinted out of the room, toward his father’s voice. I stayed back, packing the rest of my toiletries away.
“Thyri, you decent?” I heard Enzo.
I walked out of the bathroom. “Yeah. Just finished brushing my teeth. How’d you make out with the snow?”
“Good. The driveway and the side are clear. Here’s your car keys. I pulled it out of the garage for you.” He handed me my keys and purposely brushed his hand across mine as he pulled back.
There was that feeling again, the same one from when we first met back at his office building.
“Thank you for your hospitality. The big man says he’s hungry. I can make him some oatmeal before I head out.”
“That’ll work. Let me go get him ready for the day, and I’ll set him up at the table for you.”
“Okay. I’m right behind you.”
Leaving the room, I passed him, making my way to the kitchen to work on breakfast. I was halfway through stirring the oatmeal when my phone rang on the counter.
People usually didn’t call me early on a Sunday morning.
Figuring it was important, I turned the stove on low and picked it up to answer.
The name Theresa, CNA came up on the screen.
Theresa was one of the CNAs at the rehab that I’d personally given my number after seeing how she tended to my father once while I was visiting.
She was one of the few nursing assistants that were outsourced when Parker Jewish was short staffed.
I hadn’t seen her in a while, so I was curious as to why she was calling.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Thyri. It’s Theresa from Parker Jewish.”
“Hey, Theresa. I know. I have your number saved. How are you?”
“I’m good.” She paused. “I wanted to give you a call because I’m back at Parker for a couple days, and thankfully, I was assigned to your dad.
” She cleared her throat, and then, her voice came through again quietly.
“I’m technically not supposed to be doing this, but if it were my father, I’d want someone to care enough to tell me. ”
“Wait, what’s wrong with my father?” I asked, stepping away from the stove.
“He’s regressing,” she admitted. “They’re not gonna tell you because so long as they have an insurance to charge, they’ll let the people here just waste away.
Your father wants to get better; you can tell by the way he tries his best to communicate and move on his own.
Unfortunately, his mobility is declining again since the last time I was here.
He’s also developing a bed sore. I’m not su… ”
“A bed sore?!” I shrieked. “Nobody told me shit about a bed sore. How the hell did I miss that?” I turned around with my hand on my head and found Enzo and EJ standing at the entryway of the kitchen. I muted my phone to apologize. “I’m sorry. It’s my…”
“You good,” Enzo assured. “EJ, go to your room real quick.”
Instead of listening to his father’s instruction, EJ ran over to me and hugged my leg. My vision blurred, and my hand instantly went to his back.
“Tyri, you cry.”
“Come on, man.” Enzo pulled him away. “She’ll be aight.”
“Thyri?” Theresa called out on the other end.
Unmuting my phone, I replied. “Yes. I’m here.”
“I think it would be best if you moved him and soon. I know it won’t be super easy but do the best you can.
I’ll look out for him while I’m here. I’ve already started treating the sore with some cream I keep on hand, another thing I’m not supposed to do and could get fired for.
But I don’t give a damn. I’m gonna take care of my patients. ”
“Thank you for calling, Theresa.” My voice cracked. “I appreciate you looking out. And this phone call will stay between you and I.”
“Thank you. Good luck with everything. And if you ever need to hire in home care, I do that on the side. Just give me a call and we can see what works.”
“Okay. I will.”
When the call ended, I turned back to the stove and watched the oatmeal as it bubbled.
I didn’t know what to do first. I felt like I was failing my father by not having an emergency plan in place for him.
But plan or no plan, I had to get him out of Parker Jewish asap.
I felt a presence behind me and glanced down to see Enzo’s tattooed hand reach around me to turn off the eye on the stove.
“What’s going on with your pops?” he asked calmly, moving on the side of me.
“That was one of the nursing assistants. She said that he’s regressing and suggested that I move him asap.
These mothafuckas charge his insurance all this money, and there’s no adequate rehabilitation being done.
I was working on a plan to set him up at home, but I need more time.
” I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.
“After that call, it’s clear that time is not on my side. I need to get him outta there.”
The tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. Crying in front of a stranger was foreign to me. I usually held my composure so well, but this was tough.
Enzo didn’t hesitate to respond. “Let’s go get him then. Let me make a call.”
I barely had time to react before he pulled out his phone and stepped away. I could hear him talking. His voice was low, controlled, and boss like.
“Hey, Aunty Fawn. I need a favor… I need a bed at Sullivan Manor… any openings? Yeah, I know about the wait list, but your nephew needs this.” He glanced over at me, and I attempted to wipe the tears that refused to stop.
“It’s an emergency. You can bill me later…
Aight, cool. I’m gonna give the phone to someone, and they’re gonna give you the information. ”
He walked back over with his phone held out to me. “Here, this is my Aunt Fawn. She owns a private rehab facility. Give her your dad’s info, and she’ll handle everything on her end.”
I stared down at the phone then back at him. “It’s straight. Trust me.”
“Hello?”
“Hi, my name is Fawn Sullivan. Who am I speaking to?”
“Thyri Anderson.”
“Okay, baby. And what’s the name of the patient?”
“My father’s name is Derrick Anderson. His birthday is 11/27/19…”
“1964.” She finished my sentence. “Ummm.” Her breathing sounded a little labored.
“Hello? You okay?” I asked, and Enzo’s brow shot up.
“Yes. Yes, I’m fine. Is your father Poppa D?”
“Yeah. That’s his nickname,” I said, wiping at my eyes again. “You know him?”
“I could never forget my first love. Please give Enzo all your father’s information, including the rehab he’s in, so I can call over and arrange transportation.
They’ll need you to sign him out. It’s gonna be AMA.
That means against medical advice. But don’t worry about that.
We’re gonna make sure he gets all the care he needs here at Sullivan Manor. Jesus, I can’t believe this.”
If she thought she was surprised, imagine mine hearing her mention my father being her first love. I had questions, but they weren’t important right now.
“Okay. Thank you so much for this. I’m actually gonna head to the facility now.”
“Great. And you’re very welcome, love.”
I handed Enzo back his phone, while I went to gather my things.
“Alright, Aunty. Good looking out.”
“Thank you for calling in that favor,” I said, walking back over to him. “I’m texting my father’s information over to you now. I’m gonna repay you. Just let me know the cost.”
“Consider it a Christmas bonus that you can’t decline.”
“Enzo, I can’t.”
“It’s already done. Hit me once you get things situated, aight? If you need anything before then, hit me.”
Without warning, I hugged him. He wrapped one arm around my waist, and the other rubbed my back. “Y’all in good hands. We Sullivans take good care of people.”
I let him hold me for a little bit longer, appreciating the safety of his embrace. Exhaling, I pulled away. “Thank you.”
“All good.”
Leaving his place, I felt confident about the help I was getting. It didn’t feel like it would be tied to any expectations. A part of me felt like even if it was, it wouldn’t be something I’d be against.