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“And you’ll help me find my own place to live?”
“You can stay with me for the time being. And then, if you like the location, Clay can set you up with one of the apartments in the building.”
“This is all so fast, JL. I’m not sure…”
“Maman, we want you to be with us.”
With a little of her usual feistiness, she snorts. “Not so sure Micki feels that way.”
“If you accept her, she will be more than happy. And you’ll like her parents too.”
“Ah yes, Madame Triscuits.” Maman reaches toward the side table, then realizes she won’t find any cigarettes to soothe her anxiety. Instead, she mutters, debating with herself, “I need paper and a pencil. And a box of Triscuits.”
At the nurses’ desk, a volunteer hands me a small pad and a stubby pencil. It’s not very sharp but serviceable. Pulling the tray table over, I put down the implements. “Water, Maman?”
“Yes, that would be nice.” She takes a sip through the red plastic straw, then picks up the pencil, tapping against the paper.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes. Just going to see if I can have another word with Fitzroy.”
She doesn’t look up, just scribbles away. “Don’t forget the crackers.”
“Yes, yes. Triscuits coming up.”
Fitzroy stands at the station, chatting with another doctor. “Just the man I want.”
“Let’s go to my office.” He turns on his heel and walks off. I follow down a long corridor with many closed doors. When he opens the door at the end of the hallway, we enter a small room with a desk, a visitor’s chair, hanging bookshelves on one wall, and filing cabinets on the others. His collection of medical diplomas and certifications in cardiology as well as cardiovascular and thoracic surgery are impressive.
Maman has been in good hands. I’m almost sorry to take her away. Almost. The window has a deep embrasure with a display of family photos.
“I know you want to discourage me from moving my mother too soon, but unless you think she has a high probability of dying, I’d like to make arrangements to do everything in the next week.”
Eyes narrowed, he examines my face. “Has she agreed to move?”
“She’s writing up a list of pros and cons. I left her to it, but I’m pretty sure there will be more pros than cons when she finishes. And getting her settled as soon as possible would be preferable to moving her, then moving her again. If she could go directly from the hospital to the airport, that would be ideal.”
“If your mother agrees and she’s stable, I’ll work out the logistics with you.”
“Give me a date so I can get the plane here.”
He looks puzzled. “Why not just charter one?”
“My company has a plane, so I’d rather use that. They can get it outfitted in Chicago and have the medical staff on board and prepared.” I stand, then remember one more thing. “Maman would like some Triscuits.”
“The woven wheat crackers?” He frowns. “They’re high in sodium, but I’ll see if there is an acceptable replacement.”
We shake hands. I’ve been away for an hour and when I get back to the wing where Maman’s room is, a nurse hurries up to me.
“Your mother has been asking for you, Mr. Martin. I told her you were meeting with the doctor, but she is getting anxious.”
As if on cue, alarms sound. People start running around. Dr. Fitzroy is paged. I grab the nurse’s arm. “Is it my mother?”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Martin. I am sure she will be stabilized quickly. Sit down in the lounge and someone will take you back in a few minutes.”
I pace the small lounge. Walk to the window. Drum my fingers on the glass. Walk to the coffee machine. Examine the dregs. Repeat. I stop when I hear footsteps tapping down the linoleum. Fitzroy frowns at me.
“Your mother’s blood pressure spiked.”
“Is she all right?”
