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Dane: Do you think you can come over for an hour or two before dinner? Then I’ll come tuck you in after your mom goes to sleep.
Glancing up at my mom, I let out a trembling breath. She’s too unsettled for me to leave her. I know I need to figure something out for her. Especially if I plan on staying in Pine Hollow and going back to work. She needs someone with her at all times to make sure she doesn’t burn down the house or fall or something. Right now, I feel okay leaving her for a few hours when she’s having a good day, but that’s getting to be less and less often, and I can’t do it all on my own. I don’t know where to start. Who do I contact? How do I find a nurse or caregiver who can come over each day? Should I put her in an assisted living home where she can get around-the-clock care? Would it make me a terrible daughter if I did that?
Tears burn my eyes. I need to stop thinking about all of this right now. I’m barely hanging on and overwhelming myself more isn’t going to help.
I glance down at my phone and sigh.
Summer: I don’t think I can come over tonight. Mom is having a rough day.
My phone starts to ring almost immediately. I rise and go to my bedroom to answer.
“Hi.”
“Hey, baby girl,” he says.
His voice is soft and sympathetic, and suddenly, I can’t hold back anymore. A sob breaks free, and I put my hand over my mouth to try to muffle it.
“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry,” he says quietly. “What can I do to help?”
It takes me a second to calm down before I can speak, and when I do, my voice is wobbly. “N-nothing. It’s just been a day. She’s agitated this afternoon, and I don’t want to leave her.”
“No. Definitely not. I wish I could make it better.”
I sniffle. “Thank you. I’m sorry I have to break our plans.”
“Don’t be sorry, baby. I understand. I’m going to pick up some pizzas on my way home and bring one over to you two for dinner, so you don’t have to cook. I want you to take a shower, get in some comfy clothes and do your best to relax. If needed, I can sit with your mom while you shower.”
My heart feels like it could burst. Dane has always been so kind and thoughtful. I want to tell him he doesn’t have to bring dinner, but I know he’ll do it anyway.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
He sighs softly. “I love it when you call me that.”
“I love it too,” I say honestly.
“I’ll be over around six. Call or text me if you need anything between now and then. Drink some water and deep breaths, baby.”
“Okay, bossy Daddy.”
He chuckles, soft and low, and it warms my entire body.
“Bye, baby girl.”
“Bye.”
At six o’clock on the dot, Dane knocks on the front door. My mom hasn’t settled, and neither have I. While I did drink some water and practice some deep breathing, I haven’t showered because I didn’t want to leave her alone.
She’s sitting in her recliner, but she’s still mumbling. Every so often, she looks at me, and I wonder if she recognizes who I am, but she doesn’t say anything. I know none of this is her fault, but it still hurts. Then I get waves of guilt that run through me because I’ve been away from home all this time.
I open the door and smile up at the man standing on the porch. His concerned expression and gentle gaze have me tearing up again. I swear, I feel like I’ve been crying non-stop lately.
“Hi, Little one.”
I love the sweet pet name. My mom looks up at him when we enter the living room.
“Hi, Mrs. Pierce,” he says politely.
She gives him a brief smile, then turns her attention back to the TV. I give him an apologetic look, but he shakes his head and smiles.
