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I pour her a cup. “That’s okay. You’re allowed to sleep.” The front door opens and Dad comes walking in. He looks exhausted. “Dad? I thought you weren’t going to be home until later this morning.”
Haddie hands him her coffee. “Thank you, sweetheart.” He looks at me. “I couldn’t wait so I rented a car and drove home first thing.”
The three of us head toward the bedroom. Mom is propped up on some pillows. Haddie and I step into the room first. “Mom, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Dad comes walking in. “Hi, baby.”
Mom’s face lights up and she holds her hands out. “Robert, you’re home.”
“Hi my love.” He sits down next to her hips and pulls her into his arms. They whisper quietly to each other, and when I look at Haddie she smiles softly with her eyes bright with unshed tears. We step out into the hall, shutting the door behind us.
“Your mom looked so happy,” she says as we walk back to the kitchen.
Haddie sits down at the breakfast bar, drinking her coffee. Neither of us speaks as we sip the hot bitter brew.
I’m pouring my second cup when my dad comes into the kitchen. He stops next to Haddie. “Thank you for staying and helping Madison.”
She smiles up at him. “It was my pleasure. Chris stayed and helped.” Haddie turns that smile on me and it does something weird to my chest.
Haddie excuses herself and disappears into the family room, returning moments later with her backpack over her shoulder. “I’m going, if that’s okay.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you again.” Dad pulls an envelope out of his pocket and tried to hand it to her. “This is for you.”
“Mr. Anderson, I can’t take this.” She tries to push it back toward him. I don’t think she knows how stubborn my dad can be.
He shakes his head. “Please. It would make us so happy if you treated yourself to something nice, or hell, whatever you want. Please.” Dad ends in a whisper.
Haddie nods. “Thank you.”
“Come on and I’ll walk you out.” We stop by my parents’ bedroom first for Haddie to say goodbye to my mom.
They share a hug and softly spoken words before she stands up. “I’ll see you Monday.”
“That sounds good, honey. Give my love to that family of yours, and thank your mom again for the soup she brought over.”
We’re both silent as we step outside. She throws her backpack in the passenger seat and shuts the door. Haddie surprises me when she wraps her arms around me. “Take care of her.” She kisses my cheek and then climbs in her car and drives away.
Haddie
I stare down at my notes and they might as well have been written in different language. This past week I’ve been tested both emotionally and mentally. Madison Anderson is actively dying and it freaking sucks. I shouldn’t have been the one to see her due to our families being friends, but I thought they’d be more comfortable with someone familiar.
In such a short time I’ve become so attached to her, to them. Every time I’ve been over there, Chris has been there. He and his dad both look so exhausted and I know neither of them are working anymore. It’s basically a waiting game.
I was there yesterday and she hadn’t been awake for more than five minutes the whole day. They had me just give her a little bit of a sponge bath and then I made Chris and his dad lunch, making sure both of them ate.
I keep waiting for the phone call I know is coming. My stomach is always cramping, constantly one giant knot, and I can only imagine what it’s like for Chris and Robert. I give up on studying, grab my Kindle, and head outside onto the front stoop.
Again, I can’t seem to focus on anything. My mind is only on the Anderson family. I’ve seen lots of patients since I became a homecare aide, especially patients that were close to dying, but never one that I knew before.
I was supposed to see her today, but she wasn’t doing well and Robert cancelled my visit. I’ve been debating on texting Chris, he gave me his number earlier this week, but I haven’t used it. If things are bad, I don’t want to disrupt them.
“Hey Haddie.” I turn to find Lance standing in his doorway. He looks at me closely and steps further outside. “You okay?” Lance lights a cigarette and comes around to stand in front of me.
“Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind. I’m supposed to be studying but I couldn’t focus.”
Lance takes a deep drag from his cigarette and blows it out. “I’m having some friends and their girls over tonight if you want to have a drink with us.”
What could it hurt? It would definitely keep my mind off of things. “Yeah, maybe.”
