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She waves me off. “I didn’t feel like it.” Lowering herself slowly to a chair, she sets her cane next to her, giving it a glare. “Stupid thing,” she grumbles to it.
Lily’s one of the most positive people I’ve ever met, so it’s strange to see her irritable. I motion to the mug nearby. “Can I freshen up your coffee?”
“Please.” She nods toward the kitchen. “I just brewed some.”
I gather her cup and head to the counter. But the pot is off, and when I lift the carafe, it’s cold. Rather than bring the discrepancy up to Lily, I discreetly dump the contents in the sink next to me and refill the water. In record time, I’ve got a new pot brewing, and I join Lily at the table.
Covering her older hands with mine, I meet her brown eyes. “All right. Out with it. What’s going on?”
She grimaces. “I’m that obvious, huh?”
“It’s not a bad thing to have an open face.” I grin at her. “You’ve always told me that.”
“It’s the truth too. But it’s sure inconvenient sometimes,” she grumbles.
“Tell me about it,” I say, rolling my eyes. She smiles, my desired effect.
“I need to start dialysis.”
“What?” I sit up straighter in my chair. “When? When did you find out? What happened?” I pause, considering. She had a doctor’s appointment earlier in the week. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
She lifts her hand. “Now, Junie. Stop worrying.”
“Dialysis. That’s for your kidneys, correct?” I run through the information her doctor gave us the last time we were in about how her diabetes needs to be controlled or she’s bound for more complications. “But that’s for kidney failure. Are your kidneys failing?” My mind races, panic taking hold. I thought things with her were looking up. She’s getting around better with her cane. She doesn’t love it, but I thought we were on an upswing.
“That’s what the doctor told me, yes.”
“Oh, shit.”
“June Harlow. Language.”
“Right. Sorry.” I run a hand over my hair, from forehead to the end of my ponytail, my mind racing. “What happens now?”
“I’ll need to visit the office three times a week to have it done.”
“Three times a week?” My head spins. That’s so much.
“Yes. For a few hours each time.”
“But how are you going to get there?”
“I’ve arranged for senior transport.”
I shake my head. “No. I can drive you.”
“You just started your new job, June.” Lily covers my hand with hers. “You can’t be spending four hours, three days a week, sitting with me at a dialysis center.” She leans back. “Tell me more about your charge. Tabby. What’s she like?”
“She’s amazing, but already I can tell she’s struggling in school.” I point at her. “But you’re changing the subject. I’m sure I can take you, at least sometimes. I have a lot of flexibility. Tabby’s in school all day. I can take you over, sit with you, and be back in time for her to get off the bus.”
“June—”
“At least a couple times a week,” I insist. “I’ll just talk to Duke. Please. Let me help.” I hate the idea of her riding back and forth, sitting there for hours, all alone.
She flattens her lips. “I can do it by myself, you know.” Her brow furrows, and I’m sure she doesn’t mean the words to be hurtful, but they sting.
“I know you can,” I whisper. “But I want to help.”
Her eyes soften. “Of course, dear. I know you do.” She smiles, and I try to return it, but my attempt feels sickly. “I’ll adjust the schedule, but only after you check with your new boss.”
