“I’ll have the nurse come in and get you scheduled.In the meantime, if you think of a question, please call the office.My staff will get it to me, and I can get back with you.”
“Thank you, Dr.Benson.”
“You’re welcome.I’ll send Kathy in to get you scheduled.”She stands and walks out of the room.
“Now we know the next steps,” Mom says, looking from me to Chandler.
“How are you feeling about all of this?”Chandler asks her.
Mom doesn’t answer right away, but when she does, she reminds me yet again how strong and resilient she is."I feel like I'm ready to fight," she says."I'm not ready to leave this earth.I miss your father every single day, but there’s too much I still want to do.I’m not ready to leave my family, and I’m not going to let this disease take me before it’s my time.”
Leaning over, I press my lips to her cheek.“Whatever you need, it’s yours.Good days, bad days, and all the days in between.Lean on us, let us take care of you for a change.”
“I’m glad you’re home, Copeland.I should feel guilty that my illness is why you’re here, but they say everything happens for a reason, and maybe bringing you home is our reason.”
“Damn, Ma,” Chandler says.“Way to get a guy all emotional.”He wipes at his cheek, which is completely dry.
“Oh, hush, you.”She slaps at his arm, playfully.
“Nowhere I’d rather be,” I assure her.And it’s the truth.I’ve let the pain of losing Ellison keep me in the military, thinking it’s where I needed to be.Now, I see how much I’ve been missing.I would visit at least once per year, but it felt different than this.I felt almost as if I were an outsider looking in on my family.We talked every week, but it’s not the same as being here.
“Knock knock.”The nurse who took Mom’s vitals enters the room.“Let’s get you scheduled for your PET scan, Ms.Mary.”She smiles kindly, and within ten minutes, we’re back in Chandler’s SUV, heading home.
“Are either of you hungry?Need to stop anywhere?”Chandler asks.
“I’m good, but if you boys need to stop, that’s fine with me,” Mom answers.
“Boys?”Chandler teases.“Mom, I’m forty, and that one back there, he’s not far behind me.”
“Hey!I’m only thirty-five, old man,” I tease.Chandler’s eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror, and he smirks.
“Let’s not talk about how old either of you is.I’m sixty-three.It’s as if you were both babies last week,” she says.I can hear the nostalgia as well as the humor in her tone.
“Macie mentioned having dinner tonight.The kids would love to see you,” Chandler offers.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.I made plans with my quilting club.Alice is having a new grandbaby, and we're working on a piece for her daughter.”
“Alice?From Magnolia Manor?”
“That’s her.”
“She made my breakfast.”
“She moved to town about two years after you enlisted.Her husband’s job was transferred to Franklin, and they didn’t want to live in the city, so they settled in the area.She’s been working at the Manor ever since,” Mom explains.
Chandler chuckles.“Gotta love a small town.”
“Yeah,” I agree.I guess I forgot how everyone knows everyone, and they’re usually all up in your business.I can’t stop my grin as I think about it.It’s damn good to be home.
Seven
Ellison
It’s been two weeks since Copeland arrived back in town, and I’ve managed to avoid him, aside from the first few days he was here.I might have involved my sisters to help me find out where he is so that I can sneak in and out of my office without being noticed.
I know I’m hiding like a coward, but I’m just not ready to face him and our past.
Besides, this self-imposed exile to my office has been great for my productivity.I’m caught up on the books, so much so that Baylor would be proud, my desk is clean, and my office is free of dust.The only thing I haven’t managed to do yet is order a new chair.I know I’m being too sentimental and that I can push the chair to the corner, but something about replacing it feels wrong, even if my back screams that the chair needs an upgrade.
