LITMIR.BIZ

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he really believe it? Yes, his mom was one tough cookie. But cancer had a way of making the strongest person frail and helpless.

      He couldn’t think like that. Had to stay positive. Had to focus on the mission: getting his mom into the home and healed so she could start chemo. That was the plan. That was the goal.

      Tori looked up at him. “I haven’t heard from our sisters. Have you?”

      Will shrugged. “Are you really surprised by that? They’ve made it clear they don’t want anything to do with Ma or us.” He shook his head. “When’s the last time they were here for Christmas? Or even called.”

      “Carol calls Ma every month.”

      “To ask for money.” He hit his fist against his thigh. “I don’t get it, Tori. Ma didn’t do anything to deserve this. What did she ever do to them?”

      “She didn’t protect them from Dad.” She frowned. “Sometimes it wasn’t the belt that hurt most. It was the names.”

      He could still hear his dad’s voice after all these years. Loser. Worthless. Useless. Good for nothing.

      “That wasn’t Ma’s fault.”

      There was surprise etched on her face. “You’re defending her? That’s a switch.”

      “I’m not that harsh.”

      “Except when you want her to do what you want.”

      He knew that would come back and bite him in the end. He took a long, deep breath. “She has to go to the home. She can’t live on her own and expect to get better. You know it as well as I do.”

      “Sure, but you were so...” She seemed to be searching her brain for the right word. “Cruel.”

      Had he been? Is that how they’d seen him? “Tough love isn’t cruel. It’s necessary.”

      “And I’m sure Dad would have said the same thing.” She pushed off the wall. “I need some air.”

      She started to walk down the hall. Will called after her. “Am I really like Dad?”

      His sister stopped and turned. “Sometimes,” she said, and then she turned back and kept on walking.

      * * *

      WHEN SUZY DROVE UP to the seniors’ home, she noticed the ambulance near the entrance. The lights weren’t flashing, so that was a good sign. Maybe a new patient arriving? Or an old one leaving? She checked the ambulance but noted no one was inside.

      In the break room, Suzy punched in and checked the assignment sheet before arriving at her usual station. As she walked, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail and secured it with a rubber band. There was activity down the hall. Two medics were pushing an empty gurney and she waved at them as they left.

      A new patient then.

      Which meant she’d be spending most of her evening monitoring the room and answering the tons of questions her new patient would have. She smiled. She loved meeting people.

      Carly came up to her at the station. “Is it almost seven already? No wonder I’m tired.”

      “We get new blood?”

      Carly glanced down the hall and nodded. “You’ll like her. She’s feisty. Right up your alley.”

      Suzy nodded. “The family?”

      “Worried, of course.” Carly leaned in. “The son is a real looker, FYI.”

      They shared a giggle then squelched it as the person in question strode out of the patient’s room. Mr. Stone. Suzy’s giggle died in her throat. Couldn’t she get away from the man?

      He approached the nurses’ station. “Miss Bylin, thank God you’re here.”

      She frowned. That wasn’t the reaction she’d been expecting. “What can I do for you, Mr. Stone?”

      “My mother is being...” He sighed. “Difficult. Could you give me a hand?”

      Carly looked between Suzy and Mr. Stone, questions written on her face. She nudged Suzy who nodded. “Of course. Let me just get my things, and I’ll meet you in her room.”

      After he left, Carly spoke, but dropped her voice. “You know that guy?”

      “A little.” She shrugged and grabbed her tablet. Turned it on. Wound her stethoscope around her neck. “If you need to take off before I’m finished, I’ll just read over your notes later.”

      “You go ahead. Let me know what happens.” Carly winked at her.

      Suzy shook her head as she walked down the hall to room twenty-three. Inside, Mr. Stone and his sister glared at the older woman in the bed. She took a deep breath and rushed in. “Am I in luck or what? A new friend in my wing.”

      The woman merely stared at her, her upper lip clenched behind her lower. This was going to be a tough one.

      Suzy clicked on the room information, but obviously Mrs. Stone hadn’t been there long enough for her files to get uploaded. She placed her tablet on the side table and moved around the bed instead. Noticed the stiff way her patient rested, favoring her right side. “They give you a new hip?”

      Mrs. Stone turned to look at her children. Her son shook his head. “Repaired a fracture.”

      “Those aren’t any fun, are they?” Suzy fussed with the pillows behind Mrs. Stone’s head though they looked fine. She observed how her new patient stayed quiet. Sullen. She warmed the stethoscope on her hand then placed it on Mrs. Stone’s chest. Moving into a facility could cause anxiety, and she wanted to check her heart. She paused a moment, listening. Sounded normal. “At least you’ll belong to me while you get better.”

      Mr. Stone cleared his throat. “That was my request.”

      She jerked her head up and stared at him. Interesting. Maybe he didn’t think she was so hopeless after all. “Well, thank you. I’m thrilled to care for your mom.” She tugged at the blanket and smoothed it out. Then she checked the leads for the monitors to make sure everything had been hooked up right. “Can I get you something, Mrs. Stone? Glass of water? Piece of pie?”

      “You can get me out of here.”

      Suzy laughed as if that was the first time she’d heard that. “Absolutely. Once the doctor gives you the all clear, I’ll be glad to wheel you out to your car.”

      Mrs. Stone turned her face away from them. “Until then, get out. Leave me alone.”

      “Can’t do that, I’m afraid. You’re my new best friend.” She addressed the family. “Is there anything I can get you two? The chef makes strawberry pie on Thursdays. I can go snag a couple of pieces.”

      The sister nodded. “Ma loves strawberries.” She smiled at her mother. “Doesn’t pie sound good?”

      “I want to go home.”

      Mr. Stone shook his head again. His voice came out low and sounded almost dangerous. “Ma, we’ve been over this.”

      “You’ve been over this. You’re the ones imprisoning me here.” Their mom looked out the window.

      “Does that make me your warden, Mrs. Stone?” Suzy made a face. “I’ve been called a lot of things, but not that. Mr. Stone called me flighty the other day.”

      Mrs. Stone looked her up and down. “My son is usually right.”

      Suzy considered this and agreed. “You’re probably right. But once we get to know each other better, you can let me know what you think yourself.” She winked at the older woman who again turned away.

      “So about that pie. Who’s up for it?” She pulled out an imaginary order pad and pen. “I can bring some coffee to go with.”

      The sister grinned.

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