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I hope she didn’t wait up for me.
Earlier, when I checked in, Gina was worried about me because I’m working so much. She begged me to take the night off, and I was only able to get away because her support nurse came by for her physio appointment.
I make my way into the kitchen and find Gina sitting at the breakfast table with her laptop open and a stack of letters next to it.
She’s in such deep thought that she doesn’t notice me standing at the door.
She has her head dipped with her eyes glued to whatever is on her computer screen.
Her hair is a wild mess of long black and gray strands that hasn’t been styled in months. She’s only fifty, but the stroke has given her a gaunt appearance that’s made her look several years older.
Taking care not to startle her, I walk in. When she looks up at me, a weary smile slides across her lips.
“Hi, I couldn’t sleep,” she mutters.
Thankfully, her speech was one of the first things she regained after the stroke. It was slurred for well over a month before it improved.
The next thing to come back was the feeling in the left side of her body, but she still can’t move around properly without the aid of a cane, or for too long.
“It’s really late, though.”
“Too late for you, too, and you’re getting up in a few hours.”
“Don’t worry about me.” I walk over to her.
She shakes her head. “You know I do. You’re working way too hard, River. I know you feel guilty, but you mustn’t.”
“There’s too much debt.”
Sadness fills her eyes. “I know. I’ve been thinking of doing some online work. Anna helped me brainstorm the idea.”
Anna is her business partner. I know she’s trying to help, but Gina is in no position to do any kind of work. Online or otherwise.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“It wouldn’t be stressful,” she assures me with a determined nod.
“Aunt Gina, please, just allow me to take care of things. I really hope you aren’t actually working.” I scan the stack of letters, and now that I’m close, I can read what’s on her computer screen. It’s an email with a list of things from Anna.
“This is all stuff Anna needed me to check for the company insurance renewal. And a potential contract.” She says that last part with more caution.
“So, it’s work?”
“River, I can’t just—” Her words cut, and she grabs her chest, then gasps for air.
“Gina, what’s happening?”
She doubles over, panting and wincing in pain. Panic sends a jolt of adrenaline through me, eradicating my prior state of exhaustion.
I grab her shoulders, and she leans into me.
“I’m going to call the hospital.”
“No, I’ll be okay,” she says quickly, inching back so she can look at me. Her breathing slows, and then she almost seems normal, but I can tell she’s not. “This happened the other day, and I was fine. It’s just… a sharp pain.”
“Did you speak to the nurse about it?”
“Yes, it’s nothing, sweetie. Probably gas.” She tries to laugh, but it doesn’t work. A cough comes out instead. “I think I should go lie down and try to sleep.”
