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"Hi, Aunt Sue. Do you know anything? I need to know what's going on."
"Sarah's doctor stopped by her house this morning, and she didn't come to the door. He called someone since he had to assume she was in distress."
"The curtain wasn't shut right in the kitchen, Amelia. You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"No, mom. I didn't."
Lia spoke calmly, like she'd had a lot of practice dealing with her mother's instability. Like it wasn't the first time they'd had a conversation like this. The way she was handled herself in this high-stress situation was admirable. She was calm and poised even as she was verbally assaulted and accused by the woman who should care for her more than anyone.
"Well, what the hell am I supposed to do now? I can't stay here, and I can't be in my own home!" Her mother was shouting again, shrill and full of fury.
"We're going to figure something out, Mom."
Lia looked over her shoulder, looking for me. I walked up the driveway and positioned myself next to Lia, slipping my around around her waist. I hoped that touch gave her some comfort.
"Hello. My name is Raphael Teresse. Ms. Hall?"
Lia's mother blinked at me, trying to process where I came from.
"Who the fuck are you?" she accused with less ferocity than she had for her daughter.
"I'm Raphael Teresse. Raph. Your daughter is designing for me."
More blinking.
"Anyway, about your accommodations. I'd be happy to get you set up in a hotel for the time being until your ordeal is sorted through."
"She'd need to be near home. Some specialists want to get in touch and evaluate the situation," Aunt Sue said.
Lia's mother crossed her arms again and turned away from us, to the other woman. "I can't speak for myself now?"
Aunt Sue put her hands up in surrender, and Lia's mother turned back toward me, more of her fire settled.
"A hotel?"
I nodded and rubbed small circles on Lia's back. She pushed back into the touch, like she was craving something to ground her. I was more than happy to provide what little I could. "Wherever you need."
After a short discussion, the hotel was decided on, and we left Aunt Sue's with Lia's mother, Sarah, in tow.
In the parking lot on the way into the hotel to check in, Lia's mother grabbed her by the arm to stop her after a tense, silent car ride. I turned back to watch, weary of more hostility.
"They wouldn't even let me get anything."
"It isn't safe to be in there, Mom. You know that's true."
"I've been in there for years, nothing's happened."
Lia slipped her slender arm over her mother's shaking shoulder, and I took a small step back to give them space. "You're sick. This is for the best. You're going to get taken care of. Try not to worry." Lia rubbed her mom's arm in long, soothing strokes.
Her mother's eyes welled up with tears.
"Could you just do me a favor?"
"Sure, Mom. What do you need?"
"In case I never get back in, in case they make me get rid of everything, could you just go and get me something from Henry's room? Just one thing. Please. Just in case."
Lia cast her eyes down, then met her mom's eyes. "Sure, mom. I'll go right after we get you set up here, okay?" Lia turned to me for confirmation. I nodded and met Sarah's watery gaze, too.
