“For all of it.The accident, the scary call you got, not being able to work for at least six weeks…” She sighed.“That truck came out of nowhere.He didn’t even slow down.We made eye contact through the windshield in the seconds before it happened.I will never forget the terror on his face or the sounds.The engine screaming, then the crunch and shatter of everything.”
She rubbed her face with her unhindered hand.“I think I need sleep.”
“You can have as much as you want.Did you eat breakfast?”
“Yes.They made sure of it.”
“Good.Then you can go straight to bed as soon as we’re home.”
She was out cold twenty minutes after getting back, which I was thankful for.I sent Miranda a message saying we were home and that she was fine.Then I called Uncle Jay.
“About time you called,” he said instead of a hello.“I was going to give you another hour before I tried calling you.”
“I know.I’m sorry.Mom was discharged this morning, and I woke up late.”
“Late and without regrets?”
I cringed a little.“Mostly.”
He grunted an acknowledgment.
“Not all relationships are bad, Sophie-Girl.Some are really good.”
“Meh, it’s like playing Russian roulette, though.I’d rather not take the risk.”
He chuckled.“Fair enough.I just want you to be happy.”
“I know.”
“How’s your mom?”
“Good.Sleeping.They said to keep her on pain relievers for the next few days, but more for the bruises and muscle strains than the break.They kept saying how lucky she was and that the airbag and seat belt saved her from worse.”
“I’m glad she’s okay.Dinner’s on me tonight.It’ll be delivered to your door at four so you can get her situated before you come in.”
“You know me well.”
“I should.I helped raise you through your interesting years.”
I laughed quietly.“You did.See you tonight.And thanks for dinner.”
“Anytime.”
After we hung up, I went back to bed and power napped for the next two hours.Then I got up and quietly cleaned the house.Mom always kept it neat, but I rearranged things to make it easier for her–TV tray between the sofa and recliner with the remote, a phone charger, a glass of water, and her meds.
Once she woke up, I helped her wash her hair and change into clean pajamas.
“This would be a dream come true lounge day if it wasn’t for this,” she said, indicating her broken arm.
“That and the cuts and the bruises.”
I handed her her next dose of pain reliever, which she took without complaint.
“Do you want to stay in your room or out in the living room until I leave?”
“Living room.I want to move around and prove to us both I’ll be fine so we don’t worry.”
I grinned at her and let her do her thing.
