Page 141 of Embrace

“No. Go. I’ll do it. I want to.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

Her exhale sounds like relief. “Okay. And if you want, bring Scarlett. Mom’s been talking about ‘the girl with the fire hair’ since she visited the hospital.”

“She has?” I glance at Scarlett, who’s pretending to be focused on her laptop. “Okay, yeah, I’ll ask her.”

“And Kian? I know this hasn’t been easy,” she says abruptly. “And I worry that I messed everything up. Messedyouup. But you still smile and make jokes and have so many people who love you that it makes me wonder how it didn’t completely ruin you.”

There’s a gravelly tone to her voice that seems to settle in my chest.

“Because I had you, Kiyomi.”

She’s silent until I hear a tiny sniffle. “Right. See you at seven, pip.” Then she hangs up.

I’m smiling to myself when Scarlett looks up. “Whatever you’re about to ask me, it’s a yes.”

•••

Scarlett’s putting togethera puzzle with my mom.

I had no idea she even brought it with us until we got inside the house and she pulled it out of her bag. It’s the big pieces, easy to seeand grip; apparently it’s made specifically for dementia patients. When I asked how she knew to get a puzzle, she told me she’d been researching it, studying up on the disease. If my sister wasn’t standing right there, I would have dropped to my knees for this girl.

“There’s food in the fridge, but I left some money on the counter if you want pizza. The emergency numbers are listed, but I’ll always answer. If you need anything, I’ll be back right away. I’m one call away.”

I hold on to Kiyomi’s shoulders, my body eclipsing hers, but her eyes holding a much heavier distance. Our six-year age gap has never felt so clear. “We’ll be fine. Go get laid.”

“Kian!” She smacks my arm. “We’re just talking. Joban knows I don’t want anything right now.”

“You can, though, you know? So if somethingwereto happen tonight between you two, we can sleep here. You still have that spare room, right?”

“Nothing is going to happen.” She blushes when she says it. “Be good, pip, I’ll be back soon.”

“See you tomorrow!” I shout, and she’s smiling on the way to her car. I watch her leave, smiling to myself that my sister finally wants to live again.

“Tomorrow?” Scarlett asks. “She’s totally getting laid, huh?”

“Oh yeah.” I nod, sitting on the seat opposite her. My mom is so focused on the puzzle, I join in.

When the clock hits nine, I do as Kiyomi’s notes say and get my mom’s medication. When I hand her the pills, she just stares at them, her lips pressed tight.

“Mom,” I say gently, “you’ll feel better once you take them.”

She shakes her head, eyes narrowing, and that familiar edge of irritation creeps in. My stomach knots because I’ve seen that look before. But before I can push, Scarlett’s already beside me.

“Kiyomi’s note says we can give them with apple juice,” she says softly. “She likes that.”

I glance at the list taped to the counter. “It also says ‘call me’ after every single step.”

Scarlett tilts her head, calm as ever. “How about we wait a bit? I read that giving her space can help. Then we’ll try again when she’s distracted.”

“But she’s supposed to take it now.”

“Kian,” she says gently, meeting my eyes, “you’re stressed. Breathe. She’s your mom. You’ve got this.”

I exhale, nodding, though it feels like I’m still wound tight.