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She shook her head and grimaced. “There’s so much food left over. I should have saved some of the chicken for another night.”
“Nonsense. I’ll have leftovers for lunch and dinner tomorrow.”
“True, though I had planned to stop by to make you dinner.”
He waved his hand over the table. “Look at all of this. There’s really no need.”
Her lips pursed as if she wanted to argue with him. He stacked plates and silverware before setting them on his lap and wheeling himself to the sink. His sister jumped up to help him. Between the two of them, they should be able to make quick work of it.
“Did you want to play a game tonight?” Lanie filled the sink while he stuffed the leftovers into the fridge.
Shaking his head, he moved to the table and leaned against it, trying to look tired. “I’m pretty beat. When the home care aides arrive, I plan to have them help me into bed and call it a night.”
For a moment, he feared she would see right through him, but instead, she gave a quick nod. “That’s wise. You don’t look like you’re getting enough rest.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Don’t get defensive. I’m only saying I’m concerned.” Wiping her hands on a towel, she leaned forward and scrutinized his face. “You’ve got dark circles under your eyes.”
“I’ve got a lot on my mind.” He shrugged. “It’s hard to turn my brain off, especially with everything I need to do.”
“I can understand that, but you’ve got to try.” Her teeth worried her lower lip. “Have you taken any of the sleeping medication the doctor prescribed?”
“You know I hate feeling like I’m drugged. I can’t even stand Benadryl.”
“But if it’ll help—”
“It won’t. Trust me.”
She shot him a dubious look. “How do you know if you won’t try?”
“Look, I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.” When she opened her mouth, he held up his hand. “Or at least, I will be once we find a law clerk and relieve my work burden a bit.”
She turned to the sink and grabbed another dish. “It’s just, Rose has been talking my ear off every chance she gets about how worried she is. I promised her I would try to intervene.”
“Let me handle Rose.”
Lanie snorted. “Good luck with that.”
I’m gonna need it.
After she put away the last dish, Lanie grabbed her purse, and he followed her to the front door. She leaned down and gave him a quick hug.
“I know you keep telling us not to worry, but we can’t help it.” She pinched his cheek. “You’re the only big brother I’ve got.”
Shaking her off, he smiled. “I’ll take care of myself, I promise.”
As soon as she was gone, Steven returned to the kitchen and grabbed his laptop. What he’d told Lanie was partially true. When the home care aides arrived, he did plan to have them set him up in bed, but what he didn’t tell her was he intended to take his laptop with him.
But it wouldn’t help much. Reviewing his emails only confirmed his fears. Due to the amount of work he’d missed, deadlines were pressing in from every direction. With a sigh, he began reading and responding to emails. And he vowed to himself that one way or another, he would find his way back into his office—and soon.
The next morning, Steven woke with a crick in his neck. He’d slumped over while working, and his laptop hung haphazardly off his good leg. He rubbed his eyes and stretched, wincing at the stiffness in his shoulders.
After he righted his laptop, a low groan rumbled in his throat. His emails appeared to have multiplied overnight.
A knock on the door alerted him to the arrival of the home care aides. Two men in scrubs entered the house and helped him to his chair. Neither was very talkative, which was fine with Steven. Their assistance with his morning routine was awkward enough, especially in the bathroom. Once he was showered, dressed, and sitting at the kitchen table, they left, promising to return that evening.
He longed for a cup of coffee, but since his heart attack, Rose had insisted he switch to decaf. That wasn’t going to do it this morning. He went to the kitchen to see if Lanie had taken pity on him and stashed real coffee away somewhere.
