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“Oh! Well I haven’t dressed her yet. Are you sure…?”
I looked to Carmen. “Do you want to wait?”
She was breathing very hard and looking a little pale. I took her arm and led her to her seat. “Why don’t we wait here for Nora while Ms. Hunt goes to do her thing?”
“Alright,” she said weakly, and I sighed, giving Jodie a significant glance.
She hurried off at once and I went to the coffee station I could see and fixed Carmen a cup of tea. We sat in silence. She sipped her drink while I tapped my finger on the table.
“You’re going to have to tell her sooner or later,” I said.
“I know. Once Dr. Drake gives me a prognosis, I will.”
“That might not be a for a week yet.”
“Just a week. Long enough for us to bury Celia properly.”
That shut me up. Just in time too, because the door burst open, and Nora came hurrying in.
“What’s happening?” she asked.
“Jodie is preparing the body,” I said.
She nodded, taking a seat as well. “Well I guess we wait then.”
“Yes, we do.” I studied her critically. Her dark hair was wet with sweat and her face was flushed. She was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt which looked as if she’d flung them on in a hurry.
“Areyoualright?” I asked.
She blinked in my direction, smoothing her hair back as her cheeks pinkened. “Yes, I’m fine. I just didn’t want to be alone.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I thought we’d be back before you woke up.”
“It’s fine. Not your fault. I’m just being stupid anyway.”
I reached out and took hold of her hand, cradling it in mine. “You’re allowed to need me.”
She nodded, her lips pursed, as her eyes reddened. “Thanks,” she rasped and looked away. She held my hand, and I squeezed it gently, trying to be reassuring. I was surprised that Carmen remained silent. I thought she’d chime in with a word of reassurance.
Jodie entered the room. “You can see her now. Follow me.”
We all three stood up, and Carmen raised her hand. “I would like some time alone with my granddaughter, please.”
I pulled Nora back down onto the chair, sitting with her. “We’ll wait here,” I said.
Nora sighed, shaking her head as she watched her grandmother’s retreating back. “God, she looks so frail. I feel so helpless right now.”
“Don’t. You’re doing everything you can and I’m here to pick up the slack.”
“You have an organization to run and here I am clinging to you like some kid. It’s embarrassing.”
“It’s natural is what it is. Stop beating yourself up, please.”
She huffed. “If you insist.”
“I do.”
I rubbed soothing circles into her back, and she leaned into my touch. It felt good to take care of someone for once. I felt as if I spent so much time destroying lives and not enough building them.
