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“Oh.” I nod. “I have to call Daniel and give him an update.”
I step away and ring my brother’s cell, which goes to voicemail. As I leave a message, Eoghan’s eyes burn into mine. I can tell by his dark look that he’s annoyed Daniel didn’t take my call.
An orderly comes in, disconnects Mom’s IV and monitors, and whisks her from this room.
Within minutes, Mom and I are riding in the medical transport van, Eoghan’s rented Wagoneer following us.
We arrive at a gorgeous glass building to a team of doctors and nurses waiting for us.
Did money do this? Or did Eoghan threaten people?
Mom is sent for X-rays. I’m allowed to stay with her and give her a hand moving around. With better pain meds, she’s smiling and laughing with the medical staff, and threatening to enter a roller derby contest.
Mom’s room in this new hospital rivals a five-star hotel suite. Sleek dark wood paneling, drapes with glistening threads, expensive linens on the bed, a big screen television, and soft music playing.
Eoghan’s hands are on my shoulders while we get the damage report.
Femoral neck fracture on the right side and several hairline breaks on the left.
Recommendation: Full hip replacement.
It means six weeks in rehab, but that’s on site here in this building.
Six weeks.
Mom holds back tears, and I hug her. “We’ll get you through this.”
We… I said we… Me and Eoghan.
“What about Christmas,” I question the doctor.
“Hips, knees, and spine fractures don’t take a holiday,” the doctor says, checking Mom’s mobile chart. “The rehab center is fully decorated with trees. There’s an open display kitchen where the staff and residents bake cookies.”
Sounds so nice, but Mom will be waking up here on Christmas morning.
Unless I get her a full-time rehab nurse for home. That’s not something she, or I, can afford. Daniel? I don’t know.
One step at a time.
Because it’s late in the afternoon, they schedule the surgery for the following morning.
Mom gets settled in her room with an early dinner. “I made a lasagna yesterday. It’s in the fridge,” she says, digging into what looks like a delicious pot roast.
My stomach growls because Mom makes a great lasagna.
A nurse comes in and drops off meds to help my mother sleep once she’s got something in her stomach.
We say our goodbyes, and Mom’s smile reaches her eyes when Eoghan takes my hand to leave.
This fancy joint must be costing him a fortune.
And what will it cost me?
The way he’s looking at me, I have a feeling I know the price.
In the Wagoneer, he pulls me in for a deep, wet, dirty kiss.
“I’m going to spend all night inside you.”
