AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Since I left,” I repeat.
She nods slowly. “And Susan went by on her rounds just half an hour ago…and I’m afraid it’s not gotten much better. She hasn’t come out of it yet.”
Shit, shit, shit.
Mornings have been the worst part of Lolly’s days, which is why I come by after work rather than before. I’ve learned that my chances at conversation and whatnot are best in the evenings. But today she’s having a literal badday.That’s never happened before. Her dark moods have only ever lasted a few hours, tops. And I thought they were difficult to handlethen?What the hell am I about to walk into now?
“Well, I’m going to just….” I motion toward her hallway and take a step. “I can do that, right? I can still go see her?”
The staff have been telling me for a while that nothing is set in stone when it comes to my grandma’s condition and that I should always expect change. But I don’t quite know what to think aboutthischange. Are they going to try to keep me away so I can’t risk upsetting her further?
The way Rosie hesitates makes me think the answer to that question might be yes.
But then she says, “You can go on and see her if you want to. I wouldn’t get your hopes up, though. You may only be able to stay a minute or two. She’s been…well, mean.”
Mean?Mygrandma? The soft-hearted, gentle former daycare owner? The woman who raised me so lovingly that I’ve considered her my mom for most of my life?
No. Even with her disease, that’s—that’s just absurd.
Right?
I think Rosie can sense my growing distress. “Just go see what Lisa and Mindy think. They’re in there with her now.”
I nod and nervously crack my knuckles. “All right, Rosie. Thank you.”
Just be calm,I tell myself as I head to Lolly’s room.No matter what it looks like in there, it’s not forever. Not yet. Just stay calm.
Her door is closed when I reach it. Although the sound is muffled, I can hear that someone in the room is majorly pissed. I have a feeling it’s not Lolly’s usual nighttime caregiver Lisa, nor the woman who’s training to take Lisa’s place when she goes on maternity leave.
I remind myself to breathe and relax, and then I knock loudly.
After several moments, I hear Lisa’s perpetually kind voice. “Nadine, sweetheart, someone’s at your door. I’ll be right back. Mindy can help you with that TV, okay?”
The door opens and Lisa comes into view, a hand on her pregnant belly, her expression stressed yet patient.
“Hey,” I greet her.
She gives me a tired smile. “Landon.”
“Can I—?”
“Who’s at the damn door?” my grandma screeches from out of sight, her voice croaky like she really has been yelling all day. “Go away! I don’t want any more damn thieves in my room!”
I look at Lisa quizzically.
She steps into the hall, pulling the door mostly shut. Apology is on her face now. “Listen, I know you come by every day, but if I’m being honest, it’s not a good idea this time.”
I don’t like that.
Trying to keep my voice level, I ask, “Why? What’s she upset about? Did someone steal something of hers?”
“No,” Lisa says soothingly. “Not a thing.”
“Are you sure?” I scramble to think of what might’ve been in her room that someone would want. “What about her—her—?” I gesture wildly, unable to come up with anything special. House shoes, socks, hand lotion, hairbrush—none of that stuff is—
“I’m sorry, Landon. I know how it sounds, but she’s imagining it. Trust me, Greg and Mindy and I were concerned, too, when she first started talking about it.”
Before I can reply, I hear Lolly shout, “Somebody find out who stole my goddamn shells!”
