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“Just about an hour ago,” I reply and take a deep breath of fresh mountain air. “I drove over from Seattle this morning.”
“That’s the strange car in the driveway,” Dad says with a nod.
We spend some time catching up on my time in Seattle, and then I turn to face Mom and Dad, who’s sitting on the other side of her.
“How are you feeling? Really. I’m not far away and on the phone. I need to know how things really are here.”
Mom smiles softly and pats my hand. “I’m really doing better.”
“She is,” Dad confirms, immediately slipping into his doctor’s voice. “She’s responding very well to the new medication. Better than her doctors anticipated, in fact. From what we’re seeing, and the research still being done, your mother should be able to be on this medication for the rest of her life, and it should continue to help. We don’t know what it’ll look like twenty years from now, but for right now, she’s stabilized.”
It used to amuse me how Dad sounds when he’s wearing his doctor hat. He’s a well-respected cardiologist. Now, his voice simply soothes me.
“No confusion?” I ask her.
“No, I haven’t had any significant symptoms in a couple of months now.”
I feel Maya shift behind me, so I turn and address her.
“What? You’re with her every day. Do you not agree with her?”
With all eyes on my older sister, she shifts again, looking uncertain.
“It’s okay, honey,” Mom assures her. “Have you noticed something?”
“I agree that there are way more good days than bad,” Maya confirms, “but there are still times that you seem a little unsteady. You’re not as forgetful, but when you get tired or overwhelmed, you need a break.”
“I think that’s pretty normal, and expected,” Dad replies with a nod. “It could take six months before we see all the effects of the medication. But the fact that she’s made the gains she has in such a short time is very encouraging.”
“I agree,” Maya agrees quickly. “And I’m not discounting it at all. I love that it feels like I have my mom back, the way she’s always been.”
“Oh, sweet girl,” Mom says and smiles over at Maya. “Let me tell you, I like having myself back, too. It’s a confusing disease, and I’ve been worried about all of you. I feel a lot better, and we have every reason to believe that it will get even better from here.”
“I’m so glad.” I lean over and kiss her cheek. “I just want you to feel healthy.”
“That’s always the goal,” Dad says with a nod. “I’m not her physician, but I’m very pleased with the progress.”
“That’s high praise, coming from him,” Mom says with a grin. “Now, how long are you here, and what are we going to do with our time? I don’t get to spend time with my baby often enough.”
“I’m here for a few days, and I want to eat and chat, and maybe we can all go to the spa or do something fun. Dad, are you on at the hospital?”
“Only tomorrow,” he says with a wink. “I’ll be around. You ladies should go get pampered at the spa, on me.”
“I won’t turn that down,” Maya says, clapping her hands. “Thanks, Dad.”
I’ve always spent a lot of time outside, looking at the water. I used to bring my guitar out here, as I have now, to play and let the music get lost in the breeze.
It energizes me.
And when I was little, the house was always busy, full of Maya’s and Gray’s friends. Although, I’m a lot younger than Gray, so by the time I was old enough to annoy him, he was off to college.
Maya, however, had to deal with me being underfoot, trying to hang out with her friends.
Annoying the hell out of her.
And when the house got too busy or loud, and I was told yet again to go find something else to do, I’d come out here and play. Before I knew how to play the guitar, I’d hum and sing.
After high school, I knew I didn’t want to go to college. I wanted to make music.
So, much to my parents’ dismay, I packed up and went to Nashville. Less than a year later, I had a contract with a major label, and I was living the dream.
I always come home to visit, because I love my family so much, but I’ve never really looked back or ever considered moving home.
There hasn’t been time.
“How bad is it?”
Without a pause in the song I’m playing on the strings, I turn and see Maya standing behind me. The sun is just starting to set, and it’s getting colder outside.
She has her arms full of hoodies and blankets.
“How bad is what?” I ask as I set the guitar aside and accept the sweater and a blanket. Maya settles into the chair next to mine, pulls her legs up to her chest, and watches me with her pretty blue eyes.
