“You can make one next time. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
She attempts to hang up but presses a number key a bunch of times.
“Mom.”
“Oh. Did you call me back, John?”
“Yes. I just wanted to say that I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I hang up and pull into the spot beside Seventh Heaven.
Ava jumps out then sticks her head back in. “I forgot to tell you. Lacy said I can board a horse there. Do you think Mom will let me?”
“I don’t know, but how about the three of us sit down and talk about it?”
She grins and closes the door with a thud.
The Cracked Egg is surprisingly busy. I buy a cherry pie, since Tamara is out of peach.
Ned and Rena walk in, just as I’m walking out with my two pies and a grin on my face, because I’m thinking about visiting Wren again.
“Come and sit with us,” Rena says.
“You can share those pies with us,” Ned teases.
“I’m on my way to see Mom.”
“Tell her we said hi.” Rena studies my face. “What else can we do to help you and your mom?”
“I’m not sure,” I tell her. “Honestly, it feels like I’m just figuring things out as I go.”
Rena nods. “You got her finances in order?”
“We did that before she moved. Fortunately. I didn’t realize how quickly…” I look down at my boots.
Ned reaches around and gives me a firm squeeze. “We’ll help you with anything, son. You have to tell us when you’re struggling.”
“How’s Carmel and Angelita doing?” Rena asks.
“They’re wonderful. They’re patient with Mom, and she gets along with them, for the most part. Unless she’s sundowning, like today.” I hold up the bag of pies. “I’m hoping this’ll help a little.”
“We’ll let you go, son,” Ned says.
Rena gives me a big hug, and I walk back to my pickup with my pies. Lately, it’s hard to know what to expect when I visit Mom. Sometimes she’s clear and sharp as a tack. But more often now, she’s lethargic and confused or anxious and pacing. Or even angry and combative with her caregivers.
“Hi, Mom,” I call out, letting myself in.
“Back here!” Carmel yells.
I follow the sound of Carmel’s voice as she chats with Mom.
Mom’s sitting on her bed, glaring at Carmel. “You’ll have to pry my clothes off my dead body if you want me to take a shower. It’s too cold in there.”
“Let me turn the space heater in the bathroom on, Mom,” I tell her, smiling sympathetically at Carmel.
“Where have you been?” Mom frowns at me. “I’ve been waiting all day for you.” She turns to Carmel. “I told you Robert’s taking me to dinner.”
