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Lexi and Carol, the two nurses who’d be working the day shift, both turned to look at her. Their faces remained neutral, but I didn’t miss the way they glanced at one another.
This is the rich wife.
The one who couldn’t be bothered coming by the hospital.
The one who’s leaving now that he’s home.
Or maybe those were just my thoughts.
My mother wasn’t a caretaker by nature, and she was proud of it. She wanted her husband and daughter to have accolades that she could brag about, and that was as deep as the relationship ran. My father, for whatever reason, loved her in spite of it all. Their relationship had never appeared balanced to me. She held all the power.
“Okay, darling. The car is coming to get me. You’ve got, hmmm…” She paused and glanced over at the two women who were still staring at her, and she lowered her glasses. She hadn’t taken the time to learn their names.
Because it wasn’t important to her.
“Lexi and Carol,” I said, as I cleared my throat and shot them an apologetic look.
“Yes. You’ve got Lexi and Carol. And Presley is here, so she’ll keep me abreast of your progress.”
“I’ll be fine,” he said, but his words were slightly slurred from the stroke. He would be in intensive physical therapy and speech therapy over the next few weeks. He didn’t want me to be there during his sessions, and he’d thrown a fit when I’d tried to argue.
I got it. He was a prideful man. So, I’d let him win this battle. I was going to be working remotely while I was home. But at least I could have breakfast and dinner with him and be an advocate regarding his medical care. Being here would allow me to check on him throughout the day.
To be present.
Unlike the diva who was watching me with pursed lips.
“I can’t believe you left the house looking like that.” Her blue eyes scanned me from head to toe, and I glanced down to see how I’d offended her this time.
A pair of jeans, a blue hoodie, and my favorite tan cowboy booties that were pretty scuffed up.
What was her problem?
In her defense, my hair was pulled back in a messy knot, and I was makeup free. My mother didn’t understand the concept.
“It’s interesting that my physical appearance is your biggest concern on your way out of the country and not the well-being of your husband.”
Most people would be offended by the statement, but my mother was impenetrable. She never reacted. It was her way of saying that you weren’t worth the energy. And trust me, I’d tried many times over the years to get under her skin.
She was a stone wall.
“I wouldn’t leave the property looking like that, especially with the whole world knowing that my husband impregnated another woman.”
Did I mention that she could be cruel to her core?
Lexi gasped the slightest bit, and I forced an empathetic smile. This wasn’t my first rodeo with Barbie Duncan, but I knew it could be traumatizing for someone witnessing her wrath for the first time.
“Thanks for the reminder. I’m sure it was the scuffed boots that led him to stray.”
“I’m just saying, it’s worth it to take some time to make yourself presentable.” She dropped her glasses back down on her nose and kissed my father’s cheek before doing the same to me.
He forced a smile and nodded, as if he were ready for her to leave. I knew that he hated for her to see him like this. She didn’t accept imperfection, and right now, he was most likely feeling very insecure about the road ahead of him.
I never understood why he put up with it. They were both ridiculously wealthy, so it wasn’t for the money. It certainly wasn’t for me. They hadn’t tried to sugarcoat their relationship for me, ever.
She left, and I returned my attention to the nurses just as a tall man entered the room.
“Hey there. I’m Louie, and I’ll be here every afternoon for speech therapy. I just thought I’d come by to introduce myself and go over a few things with you, and we’ll get started tomorrow.”
