Chapter 19
THE LIGHT
Winter
With my mom awake and stable, I resume my shifts at Boones.
I work from seven to one, Monday through Friday, then visit with my mom for a few hours before hockey practice.
After that, I have dinner with the team at Iced Out before I spend a couple of hours at the library working on assignments for my course.
BJ’s house has more than one computer, but I like the library, and it gives me an excuse to see Clover.
When my homework is done, I return to the hospital and stay until visiting hours end.
BJ picks me up, and we make out in his Jeep for a while before we go back to his place.
Sometimes we jump in the hot tub or go for a late swim and make out some more, but sometimes we’re both so exhausted, we go to our bedrooms and pass out.
A week after the fall, the doctors deem my mom ready to be moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility which is covered by the Hockey Academy’s family fund.
I’m beyond relieved that she doesn’t have to go home yet, especially since she still can’t remember what happened.
BJ’s parents assure me that she’ll be able to stay in rehab until she’s mobile again, and that their spare room is mine for as long as I need it.
Yesterday BJ and I stopped at the cabin to grab clothes for my mom while my dad was at work. The house was in even worse shape than before. Empties covered every surface, the sink was piled high with dishes, and ashtrays overflowed with butts.
We took my mom’s clothes back to BJ’s and washed them twice to get the cigarette smell out. I also grabbed a couple of family photo albums because she’s been asking for them.
The hospital is transporting her to the facility in one of their vans, and I meet her there so I can help get her settled. The Sunshine Center is a beautiful, renovated house down the street from the library, and it’s partially funded by the Buttersons.
I wheel my mom up the ramp, and we’re greeted by Lovey.
“Hey! Hi!” She abandons her post and rushes over, pulling me into a hug.
“I saw your mom’s name on the intake sheet, and I hoped I’d still be here when you arrived.
” She turns to my mom, her smile warm as she extends her hand.
“Hi, Mrs. Marks. I’m Lovey, a friend of Winter’s. ”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Mom smiles nervously.
“Lovey’s dad is one of the coaches over at the Hockey Academy. Her brother is Officer Butterson.”
“Oh, he came to visit me in the hospital and brought me this.” She lifts the aloe plant in her lap. She refused to let me put it in a box. “He’s quite handsome. Like a Ken doll.”
Lovey laughs. “That’s an excellent description. Come on. I’ll show you around and we can get you settled in your room.”
We’re introduced to several staff members.
There’s always a nurse on duty, and a doctor on call, as well as nurses’ aides to assist the patients.
The center has a physical therapy clinic, a dining room with the daily menu posted, and access to a snack and salad bar all day.
There’s also a common room with a huge flat-screen TV, two shelves full of books, and a games and craft area.
“The daily schedule is posted here every morning. If there’s anything you want to participate in, just let one of our staff members know, and they’ll help you register.
We also collaborate with the library, so if there are events you’d like to attend, we can arrange to get you there.
” Lovey points to a screen listing various activities scheduled throughout the day, including meal times, and a second schedule with the library’s calendar of events.
When I start to push Mom’s chair toward the hallway that leads to the patient rooms, she pats my hand. “Wait.” She squints at the screen. “GED classes? Is that something anyone can sign up for?”
Lovey, bless her heart, doesn’t even flinch. “Absolutely. Clover Sweet is the head librarian. She can get you enrolled if you’re interested.”
“That might be nice.”
“Great. Once you’re unpacked, we can work on setting that up.”
Lovey shows us to my mom’s room and gives us a quick tour. It’s like a small, self-contained studio apartment, complete with a private, occupational bathroom.
“If you need anything, just let one of the staff know.” Lovey winks at me on the way out. “I’ll text you later, okay?”
“Yeah. Thank you.” It comes out a little choked.
“We got you.”
She closes the door behind her. Mom presses her fingers to her lips, on the edge of emotion. “It’s so nice here.”
“It really is,” I agree.
“It’d be easy to get used to this, wouldn’t it?” she whispers.
“The having help or the peacefulness?” I ask.
“Both.”
Over the next few days, mom settles in at the Sunshine Center. Yesterday she attended her first GED class. Clover helps run the literacy component of the program, and this evening she offered my mom some one-on-one support.
The three of us are gathered at a table. BJ lent me his laptop so I can type up my assignments wherever I am. My mom and Clover are sitting beside each other, sharing a set of earbuds. Clover’s introducing her to audiobooks, so my mom can listen and read at the same time.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to check the message.
BJ
lessons done, I can pick u up if ur still at TSC. Parents r out w friends. I need to make good on TFT, which still applies since it’s Thursday.
I glance over at my mom and Clover, who are focused on the reading tablet in front of them. I snap a quick pic.
Winter
at the library. How adorable is this?
BJ
Mav is here so we’ll head ur way in a bit
Winter
sounds good
I slip my phone into my bag and finish the final question for my assignment.
“I like this narrator’s voice,” Mom whispers. “It’s almost like I’m part of the story.”
“He’s a personal favorite. He could read a grocery list and I’d listen all day long,” Clover says with a smirk.
“His voice really is lovely.”
Clover and I share a smile. It’s nice to see this side of my mom, one where she’s not on edge, worried about pissing my dad off, or figuring out how to afford groceries and pay the bills.
I’ve just electronically handed in my assignment when the peacefulness is broken.
“Lucy! I know yer in here! Where r’you?”
I stiffen at the obvious slur in my father’s voice. I haven’t seen him over the past week, careful to avoid the Sunshine Center when he’s visiting.
Mom yanks out her earbud, eyes wide with panic. “Is that Clay?”
I nod, and my mom’s face falls, her voice dropping to a whisper. “He sounds drunk.”
It’s Thursday night, which is payday at the ice cream factory. He always stops at the Town Pub for a few pints before he comes home.
A buzz comes from my bag, but I ignore it.
Clover glances between us, as my dad stumbles around the corner. He bumps into the stacks and sends a pile of books tumbling to the floor.
His unfocused gaze settles on my mom. “D’er you are.” He sneers. “The fuck you doin’ in a li-berry?”
Another library employee comes around the corner, eyes wide, phone in her hand. She’s a summer hire, a student returning to university in the fall. I remember her from high school.
I brace my palms on the table, ready to put myself between my parents, but BJ and Maverick appear behind the library employee.
“Isn’t this cute.” Dad weaves a little. “Ya finally learnin’ how to read.”
“Clay, you’re in a library. You can’t be drunk, and you can’t be noisy.” Mom’s voice wavers.
I stand as BJ and Maverick step in front of the poor girl I went to high school with. She brings the phone to her ear and takes a couple cautious steps backwards.
BJ’s eyes meet mine, and instead of getting between my parents, I stay put. “Mom’s right. You’re intoxicated. You can’t be here when you’re like this, and you sure don’t deserve to see Mom if all you’re going to do is say mean, hurtful things.”
“I’m just tellin’ the truth,” Dad spits.
“No, you’re not. You’re embarrassing yourself. You need to leave. Now.”
“You gonna make me?”
I roll my eyes. “Really? What is this? Middle school?”
Maverick steps forward, and Clover scrambles out of her chair. BJ said she was married before she and Maverick got together. And that her ex was a problem when she moved to Pearl Lake earlier this summer.
“Mav, honey…” Her voice is unsteady.
“It’s okay, sweetheart.” He holds up a hand and shifts so he’s between Clover and my dad. “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave the premises immediately.”
“I’m not leaving without my wife.” He snaps his fingers. “Lucy. Come.” Like she’s a dog. Like she’s his property.
Mom looks from Dad to me. Anxiety makes my stomach clench and my heart skip a few beats.
I see the moment she makes a choice, see the resolve settle behind her eyes as she crosses her arms and shakes her head. Her voice is a barely audible whisper, but her words bring so much relief. “You’ve been drinking, and you’re being mean. I’m not going with you, Clay.”
His face scrunches up. “You sayin’ no to me?”
Maverick steps closer. He’s usually all kindness and smiles. He has dimples and an infectious laugh, but right now, if looks could kill, my father would be six feet under.
Then Officer Butterson appears with the other library employee, his gaze skipping over the players in this scenario, zeroing in on the problem.
He motions for the girl to stay put as he approaches my dad.
Logan’s eyes meet mine for a split second, and he nods.
Seems like he’s telling me he’s on my side.
Dad looks from Maverick to Clover, then back to me and my mom, maybe finally cluing in that it’s not just the three of us, and we’re not at home where we can’t escape his caustic words and abuse. “I see how it is. You’re all brave because you got an audience.”
“Sir, she’s already said she’s not going with you. It’s time for you to leave,” Maverick says.
“You can’t stay away forever. You’re gonna have to come home sometime, Lucy.” It sounds like a threat.
“Clayton Marks.” Officer Butterson’s voice is loud and commanding.
My dad spins around. “You called the cops? I’m talking to my wife! That’s not a crime!”
“No, but being drunk in public is. Do you own a beige Buick?” He rattles off the license plate number.
“So what if I do? You can’t prove I drove it here,” he slurs.
“Actually, Mr. Marks, I can.” Logan rolls back on his heels.
“Because there are cameras out front, right where your vehicle happens to be parked. You also ran over a bike and hit another car, which is gonna get you a ticket at the very least. Now I suggest you come with me and take a breathalyzer test, unless you want to be charged with resisting an officer.”
Dad stands there for a few seconds, his eyes zeroing in on me. “This is your fault.”
Officer Butterson shakes his head as he takes my father’s arm. “Your daughter has nothing to do with you driving under the influence.”
“Officer Butterson, wait,” my mom calls out.
My heart sinks.
Tears pool in her eyes. “I remember,” she whispers. “I remember what happened.”