Where Life Takes You (13 page)

The line went silent. Eventually, I glanced at my phone to verify that the call hadn’t dropped. After forever and a few more minutes, he sighed and broke the silence. “I might agree, with a few conditions. First, you’ll work from home. Second, you’ll delegate to Steve, which takes me to third: you’ll allow us to hire someone to help Steve. And fourth, let me come home.”

“Hmm, I’ll take delegation, new hire, and part-time from home. I need outside contact.”

“Promise me you’ll work from home the days you stay up all night.” He was tough. No wonder he had a successful business.

“Fine. I’ve got to go. We’re at the hospital. I’ll call you whenever I can.”

* * * * *

Raj waited for me at the nurse’s station. He explained that Mom’s cancer had metastasized. In human terms it had taken over her other organs. They had tried radiation to stop the growth, but she didn’t respond. Now her organs were beginning to shut down.

“We’re giving her pain medication,” Raj told me. “She’s in and out of consciousness. According to the nurses, she’s refused to eat for the last couple of days, and she spit out her medicine yesterday. Today she became dehydrated. She’s not in good condition. I just talked to Dan. I’ll allow you to take her home. We can’t do much for her here anyway.”

I understood, and asked him to continue making the necessary arrangements to move her. The time she had left didn’t matter, a day or a month. She’d be more comfortable at home. No one liked hospitals. The nurses at the station gave me a few forms to sign, and told me they’d move her by mid-afternoon tomorrow. Raj had ordered the medical equipment that would be needed. The installation should be finished by morning.

“Miss Trent.” McDreamy from Aspen extended his hand. “I see the leg healed.”

“Hi, Doctor McDreamy, I didn’t know you were in town.” I needed to learn his name. “How long will you be around Boston? You’ll be perfect for my friend Ava.”

“McDreamy, huh? Original, Becca.” Raj chuckled.

“Don’t judge.” I blushed, but thankfully no one noticed. “No one told me his name.”

“Uh huh. Anyway, I doubt Dr. Charles and Ava would make a good match.”

“Why, what’s wrong with Ava? It’ll be fine, for a weekend. It’s not like he’s—” It dawned on me after Raj smiled sheepishly.

“Aw, I— Really, Dan promised to... help him after my accident. Did he play match maker? Gosh, my freaking filters are failing.”

“Don’t stop. What were you about to say? It’s highly entertaining when your filters break down.” Raj said, I didn’t understand if he was serious or mocking me.

“It happens when I’m extremely nervous or freaking out, you should know it by now.” I tried to defend myself, or the least explain myself. “Or… something like that.”

“Like when you called my nurses names,” Dr. Charles pointed out. “Like wench, sadist, and ignorant bitch.”

My blood froze. When had I said such things? I’d thought them, but never.... “No, no…. Did I?” I shook my head and wanted to be swallowed whole. “See? I hate when that happens.”

Both laughed, making fun of my filters. Raj was in the middle of a batch of funny stories about me when Connor and Izzy Patrick came into view. I cleared my throat and walked over to them. Introducing Raj and Dr. Charles—Drew—to the Patricks.  

Raj gave them a small update on Mom’s health, when Izzy interrupted him to ask about Mom’s relocation to my apartment. “Are you sure you she’ll be fine with Rebecca?” she glanced to both doctors.

“Yes,” Raj responded, uncomfortably looking from me to Drew, who took over the conversation.

“We found three excellent nurses that’ll care for her. And Dr. Vadapalli and I will visit her daily.” Drew checked on his watch, took a deep breath, and continued after Raj nodded in approval. The exchange of glances told me they had been together longer than I thought, a week. “A change of scenery might help her. Mrs. Sanders might surprise everyone.”

“Will you let me come and visit her?” Mrs. Patrick faced me for the first time.
             

I shrugged, and nodded. Why wouldn’t I?

While she continued interrogating Raj, Dr. Charles and I walked to Mom’s room, with Connor following behind me. Nick guarded Mom’s room and gave him a deep glare. It seemed as if Dan had tagged him as a non-grata persona. The man needed to lay off his controlling side. There was nothing wrong with Connor, and he was harmless—unlike his brother.

The spacious private room was not much different from any other hospital room, white sterile walls, white linens covering the bulky bed, and two blue plastic chairs next to it. On the other hand, there was a leather couch and flat screen on the other side of the bedroom. But let’s get real, who’d be watching television while their loved one is lying on the bed dying?  Like Donna Sanders, who had disappeared, and in her place was a frail woman hooked to a heart monitor, an IV, and had an oxygen mask covering most of her face.

She slept, while Greg sat quietly on one of those blue plastic chairs while pretending to read the e-book he held with his hands. Though, someone should tell him that the screen was off. Obviously he wasn’t taking Mom’s condition well.

His gaze moved towards me after I cleared my throat. “Becca, I hear Brightmore is planning on moving your Mom. Will you let me join her, or—”

I didn’t like his bitter tone. It wasn’t my fault that he splurged his money and had to depend on me—well Dan—to cover most his expenses. Hence, we had more saying into what happened to Donna than him. “Oh, Greg, don’t start. Not tonight. Obviously, you’ll join her—she’s your wife. There’s plenty of room at my apartment for both of you. I’ll be across the hall, and she’ll have the best care.”

“Maybe tomorrow I’ll drive home, pack a bag for us, and close the place down.”

“Why don’t you go tonight?” I said, standing on the other side of her bed. “I’ll stay.” I looked at the couch, but seemed too far away from the bed where Mom rested. The blue chair for one night would have to do. I turned back at him. “You must be tired. Get some sleep. Tomorrow morning, you can pack, and join us at my house in the afternoon.” I handed him Nick’s business card, so he could arrange his entrance to the building.

“I’ll contact him tomorrow in the morning.” Greg placed the card inside his wallet. “Call me if there’s any change, or—”

“I will, try to rest.” There was no point in continuing the conversation.

Everyone left around midnight. Someone found a comfortable chair for me, not that I asked for it, but I was grateful. I sat next to her and opened my iPad. I wasn’t sleepy, and there were plenty of emails I could respond to before morning. Anything to take my mind off the perso
n in front of me, and what she represented―a childhood full of bitter moments, and an adolescence full of pain. Ordering a new computer for the shelter in downtown was simpler than reflecting on how many wrongs a baby could’ve done to be hated by her own mother. I tried hard to please her, and learned from grandma all the things Mom liked and disliked, anything to see her smile at me once, but it never happened.

Adoption would’ve been better than the life I endured next to her. Yet in some sick way, or perhaps because of my genetic coding, I was conditioned to love her—and I still did.

Mom began moaning around two in the morning.

I grabbed her hand and talked to her about work and the Gala Dinner. “You’d love the event. All the guests dress up. Actors and famous people are invited. Get better, and I’ll make sure you sit next to Clooney—he’s one of our biggest benefactors.”

She never answered, or opened her eyes. An hour later, her groans became frequent and louder. I called the nurse, who injected a solution into her IV. She calmed and her breathing became even.

“Yell at me, please.” My sight blurred, and a few tears leaked out. I rested my head over her stomach and placed her hand on top of my head. For a minute, I imagined she tried to hug me, and broke down completely. As hard as I tried, my eyes wouldn’t hold in the tears anymore. “Tell me how awful I am,” I sobbed. “I ruined your life, remember? Talk to me. Don’t die yet. Like me, for once, please.”

Chapter 14

By eight in the morning, a nurse arrived to check Mom’s vitals, she informed me that the doctor should arrive around nine to update me.
Mom was lying unconscious on the bed. She still didn’t like me, and I doubted the status would change. Minutes after the nurse left the room, Bryan arrived with a tea latte and the egg sandwich Mary sent. Mom chose that moment to wake up, and at first her eyes looked disoriented, but once she recognized me, Donna kindly moved her gaze towards the IV. A better view, I assumed, anything was better for her than me. I refrained from talking to her; my vulnerability was at its max. She could bruise me easily.

“I’ll be outside.” Bryan left a tote bag that seemed to harbor snacks for the entire hospital. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Why don’t you sit on the couch?” I asked him. No point to be outside when there was plenty of room.

“Guarding you while watching television wouldn’t be appreciated by Mr. Brightmore, Miss Trent, but thank you.”

Guarding? What was there to protect? Not much. I needed to have a talk with Dan, if he ever appeared back into my life—like today. Bryan stepped outside, and Drew came in. Was it coincidence, or Dan orchestrating my life? Yesterday during our conversation he mentioned something about me being alone; how much he hated it. Knowing him, I didn’t doubt he tried to bully everyone he knew to come and sit next to me.

His dark hair looked different than yesterday, or the time I met him in Aspen. It was casual, just like the jeans and t-shirt he wore. “Hi, Becca” He greeted me as if we had known each other for a while. “I just left Raj at Brightmore’s place. He’s finishing up with the new set up for your mom’s transfer.” He yawned. “Sorry. Long night. After we left you, we went to Dan’s place to begin the arrangements. Dan works everyone hard, doesn’t he?”

“I wouldn’t know.” I answered honestly, because, sadly, Dan put everyone to work hard for me, and it made me feel uncomfortable. Attention was my enemy, and he always put me on the spot. Before we got into technicalities about my friendship and other related subjects, I changed the conversation. “How long will you be in town, or did you move from Colorado?”

“A few more weeks than I planned. With your mom like this, I doubt we’ll be able to work on our project.” I arched an eyebrow. “The at home care.” He responded to my questioning look.

“No one told me you’re involved in the project.” I opened Mary’s magical bag to look for water. “I’m glad. It’ll be fun getting to know you during the process. Do you want something to eat?” After he nodded, I gave him a juice box, a granola bar, and dried fruit.

“Thank you, I’ve been running on coffee since eight o’clock last night. Mary told us to stay for breakfast, but I wanted to catch up with you.”

Drew gave me a little run down about the arrangements. The contractors had dropped in around six in the morning to adapt the place. The movers arrived shortly before he left to pack up all my things. Mary oversaw the process, keeping the few items she thought I’d need aside.

“Brightmore would do anything for you, wouldn’t he?” Drew asked between bites. Damn, he didn’t let it go, and didn’t wait for a response either. “Dan… he moves heaven and earth for you.”

“Yeah, he does. He’s Dan.” I waved my hands toward the sky. “He’ll do anything for his friends. So don’t take advantage of him. I don’t like it when he does things like this….” I pointed toward Mom, the room, and my leg. “But he’s determined, and he takes care of his own.”

Drew stayed with me until the EMTs picked Mom up and took her to the apartment. Bryan drove me back home, and stayed behind the ambulance like I asked. Crazy, but I felt the need to escort her.

The ride in the elevator was quiet, and the contrast against the full house I encountered when the door of it opened to our floor made me want to close it and hide in the garage. Everyone was there—Estella, Barb, Joy, Pamela, and the guys were eating and helping. As I walked towards the apartment, I noticed Mary had set out a lunch buffet for everyone. 
Danny, where are you?
I took a deep breath before talking to them. I needed some sleep.

“We heard about your mom and wanted to help.” Estella gently bounced a sleepy Paige. “Ash called me last night. I tried your phone, sweetie, but it was off. Gosh, you look hyper-tired. Go to bed, we’ll keep an eye on her.”

I nodded, but instead I followed the EMT’s who transported Mom on a stretcher. They switched her to the hospital bed installed in my old room. The IV bag was on her left side, the heart monitor on the right, and the oxygen behind the headboard. Raj and Drew made sure everything had been connected properly. Then I began to cover Mom with blankets and pillows.

“She’s comfortable, Becca. Stop with the cushions.” Raj grabbed the three pillows I held. I ran out of space. “Go take a nap. You need to rest. You look tired.”

Try exhausted
.

“Becca.” Raj shook me gently, since I didn’t move. “Baby girl, you’re falling asleep on your feet. I’m taking you to bed. Greg will stay with your mom. You look like a zombie.”

Greg, who hadn’t moved a finger since we arrived with Donna, nodded. He looked rested, but preoccupied. For the first time since I met him, his gaze towards me was soft. I must have done something right, but I doubted it would last.

“I’ll be next door.” I told him. “Call me if there’s any change.” I copied his words from yesterday, turned around, and headed home.

Once I was outside my apartment, I dragged the last steps towards the next door. I didn’t have the energy to socialize, and the place was full. Yes they were my friends, and would understand if I went to bed, but it wouldn’t feel right.

Raj came from behind and linked our arms. “Becca, for the last time, go to bed.” Before I took a step, the elevator’s ping grabbed my attention.

The doors opened, and my fuzzy brain recognized Nate. He wore a pair of jeans and a jacket. Two men stepped out from behind him, stopping dead when they saw me. Dan’s gray-blue eyes made contact with me at once, and he reached me in two strides.

“Bex, baby, are you okay? You look like shit.” He hugged me, holding me to him as he rubbed my neck and nuzzled my hair.

“Hmm.” I mumbled.

“Raj, what’s wrong with her?”

“Choose your poison: Sleep deprivation, emotional distress—she cried all night—or her usual worrisome personality that stresses her out of proportion. In my non-medical opinion, I’d say all of the above.” Dan lifted me, carrying me to his apartment while Raj gave him a detailed report. “I worry about her. Your girl’s too stubborn. She overdoes everything. You need to take good care of her.”

“I’m right here, you two.” I mumbled, trying to lecture them for talking in front of me as if I was a child. But without energy, I couldn’t do much. Dan gazed at me, giving me a wide grin—
dreamy
. Whoa! Where did that come from?

As we entered the apartment, Dan’s gaze went from left to right checking the entire place where his friends socialized after helping us with Mom’s move. He acknowledge everyone in his pad while he continued his way towards the bedroom. In the hallway he came to a halt, and tur
ned―Ty stood there. “Ty, I told you to stay home,” I mumbled. “You too, Dan. You promised. The deal, remember?”

Both ignored me, and Dan ordered Ty, before entering the bedroom, “Ty, you’re in charge.”

“Do you want them out, or should I entertain them?” Ty asked.

“Entertain them, Ty.” He then tilted his head to the end of the hallway where the living room ended, and raised his voice a little. “Thank you, Raj. I owe you, big brother.”

Then he finally angled his chin towards me. “I’m taking her to bed.”

“Yes, take me to bed,” I smirked languidly. “Gosh, Daniel, is your mind ever not in the gutter?”

I heard him snort above me, “with a beauty like you, Bex, it’s hard to think of much else.”

“Always the charmer huh? You should watch what you say around other people. They might get the wrong impression about us.” I wasn’t really paying attention, but I missed the constant banter between the two of us.

Dan bent down against the bed and lowered me onto it. “I wouldn’t dream of it. You have to admit you find me irresistibly cute, though.”

I grunted and wrinkled my nose. “Not cute, gorgeous. Like an Italian model, or a statue out of the Louvre, with the same level of culture and sophistication to match. I have no clue why you put up with me.”

A deep crease formed in his forehead as I looked up at him through drowsy eyes. “There is nothing to put up with, Becca,” he admonished me softly. “Don’t get caught up in crazy ideas about you not being worth caring about, ok? You’re special; precious, even.”

“But that’s just it,” I protested. “I’m nothing extraordinary. You could have actresses and heiresses on you like cheap jewelry. You could take a private jet right now to any town in the U.S. and find dozens of women who are prettier and smarter and more capable of love than me.” A loud yawn interrupted my train of thought, and I really couldn’t be bothered to say much other than the truth. It wasn’t a pity party, I was merely uttering the hard facts. “Why waste your time coddling me? I’m a big girl now. I can be alone and fine when you get sick of me.”

“I’m home, baby. You’re not alone. Go to sleep and rest, crazy, persistent little thing.” He sprinkled kisses all over my face and hair. “My princess, I’m sorry for leaving you. I missed you more than you can imagine. I’m going to be outside with our friends for a while, but I’ll come back to you soon.”

* * * * *

The pantry was dark. Mom had taken the light bulb out because I’d cried when she told me about her date.

“Shut up, fucking ungrateful brat.” She banged the door. I whimpered quietly, afraid she’d smack me again. “The neighbors next door might hear you, and then what would they think about me?”

I hugged my stuffed puppy, and shut my eyes to avoid the darkness. Morning would come soon, and she’d let me out. Grandma used to take care of me when Mom went out, but since she’d died, the pantry had become my second room.

The door opened and closed. She’d come back early. I stood up, waiting for her to let me out so I could go to my room. But when she finally let me out, she dragged me by the hair to the living room.

“Look at me.” She sat me on the couch and squeezed my cheeks very hard after slapping me a few times. My face stung.

“You’re hurting me,” I mumbled, tears dripping slowly down my face.

“You ruined my life,” she screamed into my face, her hot stinky breath burning my eyes. “After I got pregnant, your father left me. I should’ve aborted, but my mother guilted me into having you. She promised to help me, but where is she?”

“Grandma loved me.” I squeezed my stuffed puppy tighter.

Mom slapped me harder. My head snapped back, and the room spun. She snatched my puppy and walked to her purse. She pulled out her lighter and held it under the puppy.

“Not Pup! Grandma gave me Pup,” I screamed, running after her. She dropped her into the sink. I cried harder while the flames consumed my stuffed puppy. “Please, give me Pup back.”

* * * * *

“Becca, wake up.” Ty’s voice pulled me from the nightmare, but I couldn’t open my eyes.

“Sh, sh, sh. Go back to sleep, princess. Everything is fine.” Dan caressed my hair and wiped my cheeks. “It breaks my heart when she has night terrors.”

“Why did you let her bring Donna? I don’t want my sister close to the woman who treated her like shit.”

“Your sister is tenacious. If I hadn’t let her bring Donna, then she would have been caring for her at the hospital, or their house,” he whispered. “For unknown reasons, Becca feels compelled to look after her mother. I guess it's a family thing. I wouldn’t know. The closest thing I have to family is you, my friends. Talking about family, you might want to settle things with Bex. Try to clear the waters. She swears you still hate her because of Lisa.”

“I feel guilty because of Lisa. I don’t hate her.” Tyler’s voice sounded further. “What’s this book? Dear Lisa?”
Don’t touch it, how can I forget to put it back in my office. Wake up! Wake up.

“Her journal. Part of her therapy.” Dan kissed my temple. I stirred and tried opening my eyes, wanting to be part of the conversation, and to remove my journal from his paws. But as soon as I moved, Dan cuddled me more so I’d go back to sleep. “At the beginning she wrote nasty letters to Lisa—or what Becca considers nasty. Now they aren’t as bad.”

“You read them?”

“Only when she shares them with me.”

“I wish I’d done something for her.” Tyler sighed. “Jeez, Dan, she asked for help, and I called Lisa to give her a lecture. I’m such an asshole.”

“Don’t. It’s enough having one person living in the past. Let it go.” Dan placed my head in the crook of his arm. “Thank you for today, Ty. I owe you.”

“Nah, I can’t imagine being anywhere else. She needs me, and I’m glad she has you.” A strange hand touched my forehead, not Dan’s. Then I felt a kiss on my cheek. “Good night, little sister.”

“Come on, little one, rest. Yeah, I know you’re fighting sleep. But you must, or I’ll have Raj give you something that’ll knock you out for a week.”

He kissed my forehead once more, and I let myself go.