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“Oh, dear, are you leaving? Listen, let me walk out with you. I could use a stretch, and then Mara can really dig in here.”
What was I going to say to her offer? I certainly didn’t need an escort. It was broad daylight, and we were in a lovely area. By the size of the bag she slung over her shoulder, she looked like she was taking a month-long trek, not a stroll to the parking lot.
“Do you have the kitchen sink in there?”
She chuckled. “Big enough, right? I just like having options while sitting with him. I have my sewing, a few romance novels, a crossword puzzle book. You know, the essentials.”
We chatted until we came to my car parked along the curb in front of the building. “Well, this is me,” I announced and motioned to the sedan Shep and I shared.
“Please forgive me if I’m overstepping, dear,” Mrs. Chaplin said while looking very serious.
“I’m sure you’re fine. Please, speak your mind,” I invited and immediately felt my nerves kick online. Was she about to tell me something he’d been holding back about his recovery? In those few seconds while the woman gathered her thoughts, I had at least twenty of my own and less than a third were positive.
“Thank you for spending time with my son. The difference in his mood today compared to every other day is hard to put into words. I know the two of you are a new thing, but I hope it sticks. You know?” She shifted the large bag from her shoulder to in front of her feet.
“I wouldn’t be any place else. You’re right. This is very new between us, well—as far as a romantic relationship. He probably told you I was a student of his this past semester.” I smiled and marveled how life changed from day to day.
“Yes, and just so you know, that doesn’t bother me. The age difference, I mean.”
“Oh,” I said, surprised she would so boldly mention that detail. “I— I’m glad.” Not sure how else to respond to that, I waited for her to wrap up our little girl talk.
“You’re a very mature young woman. He’s lucky to have you. But that’s what I really wanted to talk about, dear. I’ve seen the mood swings since the day I arrived and he regained consciousness.”
“Has anyone addressed it? From what I know about his personality, he’s not a volatile man. Granted, I don’t know him all that well yet, but from what I do know…” I paused there, trying to label the behavior as gently and accurately as possible. “Well, it’s concerning.”
“His team of doctors said it’s pretty normal when a patient has head trauma. From the injuries he has, they think the car hit him, and he then hit his head on the pavement when he went down. Most patients recover from it, but for some, it’s something they have to learn to live with.”
Feeling uncomfortable now with the amount we were discussing his condition and recovery, I wanted to change the subject. Or better yet, say goodbye and drive away, leaving the guilt and the elderly woman there on the spot.
“Are you okay?” she asked. Apparently I wasn’t masking my discomfort quite as well as I’d thought.
Best to be honest…
“I feel uncomfortable talking about him out here”—I gestured to the building—“instead of in there. With him.” Thinking of his outburst today when he finally told me that he couldn’t feel his legs piled on the guilty feelings.
“Oh, I’m sorry, dear,” Mrs. Chaplin said while clutching my forearm without the cast. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s just that today—well, no, since this happened—he hasn’t been very open with me about what his prognosis is. Today was the first time I heard.” I swallowed hard as tears filled my eyes. God, I couldn’t even say it aloud.
“The paralysis?” she finished for me as I nodded and swiped the tears rolling down my cheeks freely now.
“I didn’t know,” I repeated for some reason.
“They really believe it’s temporary. When the swelling goes down around the spinal cord, they suspect he will regain use of his lower half. But trying to keep my son optimistic will be the real challenge.” She still managed a warm smile for me after saying all that, and I tried to return the expression but came up short.
She pulled me into a fierce hug, and I awkwardly returned her effort. Damn cast was a real hindrance. “Sorry,” I muttered into her shoulder when I clunked her hip with the thing.
We straightened then, and she held me by the shoulders. “This is what I really wanted to talk to you about when I walked out here with you.”
I tilted my head a bit. “What is?”
“Can I count on you to help keep his spirits up? He needs all the positivity he can get right now, and I know you’re the brightest spot in his world. Will you please help me ensure he recovers from this and doesn’t spiral into a pit of depression and anger?”
“Yes, yes, of course. I’ll do whatever I can do. I care for him deeply. It’s all happening so fast, but he’s such an incredible man, you know? Such a perfect match for me in every way possible.” I was gushing about my feelings for her son and needed to shut my damn mouth or I’d come off as an infatuated girl.
“Good. It’s settled, then. We’re all team Andrew. And believe me, there may be days he doesn’t like it, but together, we can get him back on his feet. Literally.” She beamed while summarizing our plan, and I had to giggle at her enthusiasm. The love this woman had for her son was so touching, I started to get choked up all over again.
“I better get back in there. I really did want to speak to Mara about some accommodations that need to be made in his house so we can get him out of here. The sooner the better for all of us.”
