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I rush to him. “I’ll help.”
Once he’s settled, I retreat to the other side of the room where I can peer outside the window and avoid seeing any of my great uncle naked. I shiver. I can handle a grumpy old man. Naked old man, on the other hand? No thanks.
“You can turn around now,” Dr. Vander says as she helps Mercury to sit in a chair across from her desk a few minutes later.
I sit next to him. The doctor types on her computer while we wait. My leg bounces with impatience. What’s wrong with my uncle? Should I be pushing more for him to be put in a nursing home?
“Now, Mr. Mercury,” she begins.
“Mercury. No mister necessary.”
“Mercury,” she starts again. “as we’ve discussed in the past, you shouldn’t be living on your own anymore.”
“I’m not. My niece is living with me.”
I cringe. Does he expect me to live with him forever?
“Your niece is not a health care professional who’s available round-the-clock.” Dr. Vander cringes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t ask if you’re a health care professional.”
I wave away her apology. “I’m the furthest thing from a nurse. Unless you count nursing a car back to health.”
She doesn’t laugh at my joke. Tough crowd.
“I don’t need a babysitter with me all damn day,” Mercury declares.
“What if you fall?” Dr. Vander challenges. “Your knee and hip aren’t getting any better.”
“You’re the doctor. You’re supposed to make them better.”
She sighs. “You don’t need to be ashamed of needing a bit of help at your age.”
“You’re not talking about a bit of help. You want me in one of those old people’s homes.” Mercury glares at me. “You’re as bad as her.”
My face warms at the accuracy of the accusation. I should have known better than to listen to Mom. I should have known there was some catch. Go meet your uncle and get him settled in a nursing home. It’ll be easy. Easy my ass.
“Do you remember the bronchitis you contracted last year?” Mercury grunts. “This time you might not be as lucky.”
Dr. Vander stands. “Think about it.”
Mercury groans as he stands. I hurry to help him but he bats me away. “I’m not a feeble old man.”
“Just old then,” I mutter.
We make our way out of the office and downstairs to the parking lot. I can tell by the way Mercury’s leaning on his cane, he’s tired. Considering his bad knee and hip, he shouldn’t be driving at all, let alone a manual transmission.
“Can I drive back?”
He scowls at me.
“Come on,” I beg. “Your car is a mechanic’s wet dream.”
“Fine,” he huffs and hands me the keys. “But you’re not putting me in a home.”
I snatch the keys from him before he can change his mind. “Dr. Vander thinks it’s a good idea.”
“Dr. Vander is a quack.”
“Those certificates on her walls seemed real enough.”
