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By 3 o’clock I’m about to head out for a late lunch when my brother, Matt calls.
I roll my eyes when I see his name flash across my screen. I love my brother, but ever since he graduated from college a few months ago, he hasn’t been able to get a job. I get it, the job market is tough right now, but every time he calls it’s to ask for a couple hundred dollars. He always promises to pay it back, but he never does.
“Hello Matthew,” I answer the phone.
“Hey big sis. What’s with calling me Matthew?”
“That is your name, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but you only ever call me Matthew when I’m in trouble.”
“Okay, Matt, whatdo you want?”
“What do I want? I’m just calling to say hi.”
I immediately feel guilty. “I’m sorry. I’m having a long day at work.”
“So the new boss is a slave driver, is he?”
“No, it’s nothing like that. We are just butting heads creatively.”
“Well, I’m sure everything will work itself out.”
I smile. “I’m sure it will… Anyway, thanks for checking in.”
“No problem…but there is one more thing.”
“Of course there is.”
“Just don’t panic.”
My heart kicks up instantly. “When has telling someone to not panic ever made them not panic?”
“I’m just saying what I’m about to tell you isn’t a big deal. We’ve dealt with it. So don’t freak out.”
“Matt, I swear, if you don’t spit it out, I’m going to come find you and punch you right in the face.”
He sighs. “Mom fell this morning.”
“What?!” I shoot to my feet and start stuffing my belongings into my purse.
“Yeah, she went out for a walk by herself this morning, slipped, and then hit her head on the sidewalk.”
I gasp. “Why was she out on a walk? She’s supposed to be resting. She just had a round of chemo a few days ago. Why would you guys let her go on a walk? And by herself?”
“Paige, we aren’t stupid. We didn’t let her do anything. She’s a grown woman. She left the house without us knowing.”
“How is that even possible? How does a cancer patient sneak past you and Dad? Aren’t you supposed to be keeping an eye on her?”
“Yeah, but we can’t watch her every second of every day,and you know Mom; she’s determined. She’s going to do what she wants to do.”
Well, that’s true.
“When did this happen?”
“This morning, but we took her to the hospital, and they gave her the all clear. She’s back home now.”
“I can’t believe you and Dad didn’t tell me about this as soon as it happened, and then you wasted all that time asking me about my new boss.”
