“I’ll go with you and then we can both go for a ride before church. I want to make sure this gal won’t piss off Ma, either.”
“Good point. Rory called Ma while I was there and I talked to him for a minute. He says these last three months cannot go by any faster. He’s going nuts. I told him we would be up to see him next weekend, whether he liked it or not.”
I chuckle, picturing just how that conversation went. “And how much did he protest at that?”
“He didn’t.”
I don’t think my head has ever turned so quickly in reaction to something he said.. “Not at all?”
“Nope, he’s not doin’ great, brother. I think he’s scared of something happening in there and getting stuck there even longer.”
“Shit, we’ve got friendlies in there to make sure that doesn’t happen. After all, he took the fall for all of us.”
“I know, but I think it is just getting to him. He mentally can’t go back there again. I don’t think we would get him back. I dunno what to do, but we gotta get him through these next few months and remind him what he has out here.” Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, I realize the thought of losing our brother scares us both. We may not be blood, but since the day we all walked into Ma and Pa’s as preteen foster kids, Juan and Rory have been my best friends. They are my family and I can’t imagine my life without either one, which is why they are both my VPs. We are three of the seven kids Ma and Pa ended up adopting, making us actually brothers. Just thinking of that had me chuckling at a memory. “You remember that time in high school when the new principal about shit her pants when she called us into the office? Took one look at us and assumed we were lying when we all gave our last name as Weston. Then she really about lost it when Ma came in and demanded to know why all her sons were being called into the principal’s office instead of being allowed to get back to the learning they needed?”
Juan chuckles. “Ma always has had a way with words. I realized then, when I could see our reflection in the glass that day, the picture we made. Our mama with her looking like a Scandinavian queen, Rory back when he was a blond, you looking straight out of a Coolio video, and me looking like I was part of the Mayans on TV.” His chuckle gets stronger as he continues to talk. “Imagine if Pa had walked in—all six foot six, dreads, and in his cut! That old hag of a principal would have keeled right over.”
Laughing and nodding my head, I say, “She damn would have. We do make an odd family, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. We definitely need to make sure this nurse chick is going to work for them tomorrow. They deserve it.”
Rory
Two thousand one hundred and ninety hours left. Seems like forever, yet seems like just a minute, too.
Chapter 3
Jane
My alarm beeping is not the way I like to start my Saturdays, but at least I only have one client today. It’s just a meet and greet. I love meeting new clients and their families and putting them at ease. Every family always has specific concerns. This one, from the sound of it, is worried that I won’t be able to handle their dad. This is when my five-foot-ten height and my wide-load hips come in handy. Between them and the techniques I learned in school and the training class, I know I can handle helping their dad get as much of his life back as possible.
First, though, before anything, I need to let Tyger out and get my coffee. Whoever created timers on coffee pots deserves a Nobel Prize. Nectar of the gods. Coffee is a serious business here in the PNW. We have coffee stands everywhere and everyone has a specific way they order their coffee. At home, I’m a simple dark roast with a little sweet cream. My order when out probably requires a notepad for the barista.
I get my first few sips of the sweet-and-hot perfection and let Tyger out to do his business before I get into the shower and get dressed for the day. After meeting with the new family, I have to go to the grocery store to get provisions for tonight’s dinner with Nicky. I also want to try a few new recipes this week and have to buy the stuff for that.
I pour my second cup of coffee into my travel mug and grab my purse and keys to head out. My Explorer clunks to life and reminds me I need to either get it into the shop or give it up and look for a newer used vehicle. I know in my heart it’s time to give it up. But being that it’s one of the last things my dad gave me, it’s hard to give it up. He may not have been the best dad, but I know he tried his best and he loved me as much as he could while navigating my mother. My mother… that is a whole headache-inducing story that I’m not going to think about on this beautiful Saturday morning. I plug the address I was given into my phone and get on my way.
Juan
“Yes, I checked out her references. They’re my ma and pa, too, ya know.” I swear if Ry could have rolled his eyes all the way back in his head at me, he would have.
“You act like you’re the only one to worry about them, J.”
“It’s not that, Ry. You know I like to look into things myself and you not giving me any of her information meant I couldn’t do that. You know I can find things you can’t.”
Glaring at me as he walks to the table with his coffee mug, he says, “She’s coming here as a nurse’s aide for Pa, not asking to become a prospect. She’s got excellent references, and she’s the one who took care of Mrs. Johanson after her surgery. Mick said she was amazing and worth every penny. His mom still talks about how helpful she was.”
“I’m sorry, Ry. I know you want the best for Ma and Pa, too. I just worry about her being able to handle Pa safely. I’m sure you had to let the place know all about Pa and they wouldn’t send someone who couldn’t do the job. If Mick sings her praises, then I’m sure she’s good.”
The back door swings open and Jon walks in. He walks straight to the coffee maker, gets a mug, and fills it up. He takes a drink before turning around and looking at us. Our pres is definitely not a talking person till he gets his caffeine.
“Where’s Ma?”
“Right behind your big butt, darlin’.” Only Ma would make our six-foot-five brother smile like that as he bends down to kiss her cheek.
“You better get another pot going, boys, since she’s going to be here shortly. You know I don’t like not having something to offer guests.”
Jon snorts. “Ma, this lady ain’t gonna be a guest. She’s going topossiblybe our employee if we like her.” Ry, in all of his six-foot self, stands up and walks right into Jon’s face and pokes his chest.
“Listen, fucker, I looked into her. She’s good and is going to give Ma relief and help Pa get better.Youare going to be nice and let her show us what she can do.Do notrun her off with your extra alpha shit. Ma needs help and we all work. I did this so we can have Ma and Pa here for years with us.”
