Chapter 16
Ivy
The familiar sight of the pines ease the tension in my shoulders as I drive back home from the airport.
The flight home was pretty easy, but Deilah threw a fit when she realized I actually wasn’t going to go home with them, and Wesley was quiet all morning.
He’d barely said a word to me after the whole goggle debacle, slash middle name incident.
I kept my distance, and just decided to let him work through whatever the hell he needed to. I already miss Delilah, which is stupid. I’ll see her tomorrow, but then I won’t see her all weekend.
Her or her dad.
I push the thoughts out of my head, and turn onto my street. When Rose’s house comes into view. I see a couple unfamiliar cars out front, and try to place them, but can’t. Rose doesn’t like visitors. Oh shit. My blood runs cold.
She doesn’t like visitors.
I floor it the last few hundred feet, pull into the driveway, and screech to a stop, pulling the parking brake. I fly out of my car so fast, I don’t even shut the engine off or close the door.
I race across the lawn, and burst in the front door with my heart in my throat.
The chatter in the room ceases the second the door swings open.
Hand still braced on the door knob, I scan the room frantically for Rose.
I finally see her in her recliner, and sag in relief.
I feel the back of my eyes sting, and do my best to will it away.
Three sets of eyes stare back at me, but I only recognize one of them. I glance from Rose, to the middle aged woman with short red hair, to the younger looking woman with long blonde hair.
Confused, I zero in on Rose again and notice her new set up in her recliner.
There's a couple pill bottles on her side table, along with water, and a book. It looks like she’s set up to be there for a long time.
Her body is covered with a big blanket, and she doesn’t look put together like usual.
Her hair isn’t curled, and she doesn’t have makeup on.
She stares back at my puzzled expression, and then rolls her eyes.
She scoffs. “Well damn, Ivy. I’m not that hideous.”
I’m slightly relieved to hear humor in her voice, but then another voice cuts in—the middle aged woman speaking up.
“Mom,” she scolds.
“Oh hush, Catherine, she can take it.”
Catherine, her daughter. I’d never met her before, but I recognize the name, and some similar features to Rose. That leaves the other woman, who I now notice is wearing scrubs. My heart jolts again.
“What happened?” I demand.
“Nothing you need to worry about, these two were just leaving,” Rose answers, then picks up her book, pretending to read.
Catherine lets out a long, clearly tired sigh. She’s obviously not accustomed to dealing with her mothers stubbornness—at least not anymore.
“No, we weren’t. Hi, Ivy. We were just talking about you.” She smiles placatingly at me, and a funny feeling starts to settle in my stomach.
The woman in scrubs stands silently in the corner, looking down at her feet, doing a great job at minding her own business. I look over at Rose to see her lips flattened and head shaking. I’ve never seen her look so solemn.
Catherine continues without a response from me. “The evening you left town, my mother had a fall.”
I gasp, covering my mouth with both hands. I look over at Rose—she looks angry, but there's something else there too, she’s embarrassed.
“She was able to get to a phone and call an ambulance, which took her to the hospital, where they called me.” She’s recalling the events in a calm, even tone. As if trying to soothe a wild animal. It does not make me feel any better. It makes dread settle even more so.
“She broke her hip, and had emergency surgery.”
No.
I feel nauseous. I should’ve been here. But how could I? I had to work. My mind spins as I try to absorb Catherine’s words. Maybe I can take a few days off to take care of Rose. I’ll call Wes and see if Maggie and Buck aren’t busy, they can watch Delilah while I care for Rose.
I walk over to the chair beside Rose’s, and perch on the edge of the cushion. I rest my hand on top of hers, and attempt an even tone. “I’m so sorry,” I force out.
“Don’t you dare apologize. It’s my ancient bones, not you, girl.” She pats my hand back, and I look at Catherine.
Straightening up, I muster all of my confidence and start trying to come up with an action plan. “Alright. How long is recovery? I may be able to take some time off to help–”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Rose hisses, real anger in her voice.
I turn to her, real anger in mine as well. “I will not leave you to care for yourself, whether you like it or not.”
We’re locked in a staredown, neither of us willing to back down.
“Actually that’s not necessary. I’ve hired a live-in nurse, who will care for her,” Catherine cuts in.
“I never agreed to that, and you know it,” Rose replies, looking at her daughter now, voice going wobbly.
Actually, a live-in nurse would be great, and exactly what she needs. The weight that would take off my shoulders, knowing she has someone around the clock, would be massive. I distantly hear them argue as I think it through in my head.
Rose’s house is a two bedroom, but the guest room is essentially filled with boxes, and keepsakes that I think used to fill the apartment I stay in. Come to think of it, I don’t think there’s even a bed in there. Her guest room is definitely not livable.
Oh. Shit.
Now I understand the soothing voice, and Rose’s rage. My hearing comes back online, only to find Catherine and Rose still arguing.
“I do not have any room for a nurse. I need all those things in the guest room, and Ivy stays above the garage. I will be fine, Catherine,” Rose says shakily. She’s being totally unreasonable. We all know she can’t care for herself just after having surgery.
I realize what’s happening now. The puzzle pieces are all slipping together. I need to not live here. The nurse needs to take my apartment so Rose can have proper care.
Okay. Deep breaths. In for four, hold for four, out for four.
“I can’t take any time off work, Mom,” Catherine continues.
“Would you rather, we pack you up and you come live with me for the few months to a year your recovery will take?” Catherine asks sarcastically, clearly knowing her mother would rather die right here and now, than stay in someone else's house, being tended to.
She’s too prideful.
Catherine is getting visibly agitated, and I don’t blame her. She cares for her mother and wants the best for her, and Rose is doing nothing to help herself. I feel frozen watching this all unfold. I’m still trying to comprehend all of the information being thrown around.
“I will not kick Ivy out on the streets. We have a lease agreement. And I wouldn’t do that to her even if we didn’t,” Rose goes on.
I need to not be here. I need to find somewhere else to live. I’ll panic and freak out about this later, but right now? I need to lie through my fucking teeth to unburden one of my closest friends for her own good.
I clear my throat, and all three women whip their heads in my direction.
Oh god, Ivy what are you doing?
“Actually, I have a solution.” I look at Rose, and force a smile to my face. She looks skeptical—rightfully so.
Steeling myself, I straighten my shoulders and go for it. “Wes actually asked me to move into his house to be a full time nanny for Delilah.”
Rose looks shocked at my announcement. Her surprised expression quickly morphs into one of suspicion.
I ignore it, and charge on. “Yeah, he’s going to be super busy at work, and his schedule is going to be unreliable for a while.
He just asked me yesterday, and I was coming home to talk to you about it.
He wants me to move in ASAP. I hoped you wouldn’t mind if I moved out, but still paid my rent here. ”
“No need to pay rent, I’ll cover that cost,” Catherine interjects, an urgency in her voice, like she’s grateful for the lifeline I’m throwing her.
“Ivy, if you’re lying I will–”
“Tan my hide, yeah yeah,” I joke, hoping it will throw her off my trail.
“See, Mom? It’ll all work out. Tara will move into the studio. You won’t need to worry about the cost, or the loss of rent Ivy pays. Please, Mom. I’m begging.” Catherine looks at Rose with pleading eyes.
I look too, heart pounding, realizing I don’t have anywhere to live. I’ll just have to look around town for new places to rent. I’ll need to be stealth, so word doesn’t get out to Rose. It would break her heart, and she would undoubtedly kill me.
“Fine. But Tara gets the boot until Ivy is ready to move out,” Rose barks.
“I’m actually leaving tonight,” flies out of my mouth.
That’s not exactly what I had planned but it just slipped out.
“Great.” Catherine looks so relieved.
Rose looks pissed.
“Are you going to be okay?” I ask Rose quietly. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here.”
“Stop it right now. I will be back on my feet in no time, just you watch. Then the apartment is yours whenever you need it again. Got it?” Rose demands, not asks.
I look at her, and feel my nose start to tingle. She gave me a place to start over. She was my friend when I had no one. I will forever be indebted to her. She helped bring me back to life.
“Got it.” My voice cracks.
Rose grabs my hand, and gives it a tight squeeze, shaking it for emphasis. “Tenant or not, you are still my Ivy. Okay?” Her voice is stern and comforting, leaving no room for argument. Like she knows I need to hear it.
“Okay,” I choke out.
“Right. Well, Tara, hit the bricks until Ivy is ready,” Rose orders, popping our heartfelt bubble and making Catherine groan.
“I just need a few hours and I’ll be out of your hair.” I stand, wipe under my eyes, and make my way to the door. I turn and point at Rose, a bit of humor in my tone, but I mean every word. “And don’t think you’ve gotten rid of me. I’m still letting myself in whenever I please.”
“Yeah, yeah, go on,” Rose says and waves me off.