“We’ll rent me something fast and furious, right?”
He gave her a hardened gaze. “Don’t push your luck. You’ll be lucky I don’t make you rent a tank.”
Later, they crawled under the covers together, and Bryan clicked the button on the remote. The light of the television cast a soft glow over the bedroom. She laid her head on Bryan’s chest, the soft vibration of Sherlock’s purring against her back.
While she could hear the steady thumping of Bryan’s heart, her own seemed to be skipping all over the place. Unable to ignore the anxiety quivering through her insides, she sat up and turned to Bryan in the darkness. “Do you think—”
His eyes were closed and his mouth slack as he took in deep, even breaths. He was sound asleep. With the nap she had earlier, she wasn’t even the least bit tired.
Becky took in a deep breath. She brought her hand to her neck, but her emotions were caught in her throat like she wanted to cry but had no idea why. It was probably her nerves over the IVF and the accident. Maybe it was the overload of hormones in her system wreaking havoc on her emotions.
Carefully, she slipped the remote out of Bryan’s loose grip and turned off the television. After laying back down, she crossed her hands over her stomach and stared at the ceiling.
Her thoughts turned to her mother. Roslyn often visited her mom but had said she wouldn’t tell her about the accident.
For a long time, Becky hadn’t wanted to admit something might be wrong. Her mother’s behavior had started to change in the last few years, and she tried to reassure herself that it was just old age. The scolding she’d get for not calling her mom when they had just spoken. Complete meltdowns over things that just really weren’t that significant. Conversations with her mother that led to arguments because Becky didn’t understand what she was trying to say. She took out her frustration on Becky sometimes and was mean. That wasn’t like her mother at all.
Becky never knew what to expect. Some days her mother had seemed perfectly lucid, and she convinced herself that her fears were unfounded. Then, her mother would hold the remote to the television as if she had no idea what to do with it. Deep down, Becky knew it had to be more than just old age.
Her greatest wish was that her mother would be able to meet her grandson or granddaughter while she still understood what was happening. Her mom still had lots of good days, but occasionally a bad one would creep in, and Becky was reminded they were on borrowed time.
She’d visit her soon to check in. There was no need to tell her mother about the accident. Becky was fine, so there was no reason to worry her.
Chapter Ten
Felicia
The first thing Felicia Williams saw when she opened her eyes was the sign her daughter had made for her. Don’t be scared, Mom. This is where you live now. I love you! Becky
Felicia pulled back the covers. She had been under her comforter from home, white with pink flowers with little green stems. Becky had brought it along with some other personal items from her house. What would happen to the rest of her things? Anxiety would buzz through her when she thought about it.
After sitting up slowly, she swung her feet over the side of the bed. Feeling around on the floor with her feet, they slid into the terrycloth slippers by the side of the bed. Shoes weren’t always that easy, but these she could manage.
Someone knocked, and then a flash of movement caught her eye as the door to her room swung open. Ellie was a beautiful Filipino woman with glossy black hair and perfect porcelain skin. She had a tray perched on her flattened palm. Felicia’s breakfast. As the smell wafted toward her, her stomach churned.
“Good morning, beautiful.” Ellie’s voice was light and cheerful as she flashed Felicia a genuine smile.
“I’m hungry,” Felicia said as she scanned the area around her. She found her robe on the end of the bed and slipped it on in slow motion—one arm in and then the other.
Ellie made room on a small table for the tray. She seemed to keep a watchful eye as Felicia put on her robe but didn’t move to assist. It took several tries, but Felicia was finally able to get her hands to tie the sash loosely around her. She offered Ellie a satisfied smile as she lifted herself off the bed and ambled toward the table, step by slow step while she got her bearings.
“Maybe Becky will come visit me today,” Felicia said as she sat in front of her breakfast.
“Maybe she will.” Ellie handed Felicia a napkin. “That would be lovely, right?”
Felicia furrowed her brow and looked up at Ellie. “She’s okay, right?”
“Yes, of course she is.”
Felicia searched Ellie’s warm brown eyes for reassurance. “I would do anything for Becky.” Her voice shook.
“There, there.” Ellie patted her shoulder. “I know you would.”
Felicia grabbed Ellie’s sleeve. “She’s my little girl. I can’t lose her.”
“Your daughter loves you. Miss Becky’s all grown up now, but she’s not going anywhere.”
Felicia sat silent a moment and finally nodded. She repeated Ellie’s words out loud, “Becky’s all grown up.”
“She sure is.” Ellie handed her a spoon. “I had them put your scrambled eggs in a bowl. They should be easier to eat now.”
Felicia glanced down, surprised to see the tray. She had forgotten her breakfast was there. She took the spoon and carefully scooped up the eggs and then brought them to her mouth. There might come a day when someone had to feed her, but she wasn’t there yet. Not if she could help it.
“You’re doing beautifully,” Ellie said as the corners of her mouth turned up. “Oh, today’s going to be a good day. Do you know what day it is?”
“Wednesday?” Felicia was unsure. Sometimes all the days seemed the same.
Ellie patted her hand. “That’s right, and we have exercise class this morning. Do you remember yesterday? You were dancing in the music room.”
Felicia closed her eyes for a moment. “Elvis,” she said as she opened them. Sometimes all her memory needed was a little nudge.
“That’s right!” Ellie said with a grin. “You do love Elvis.”
A wistful expression crossed Felicia’s face as she remembered the old crate of records and the way her husband would spin her around the living room. “We both did. Ken loved him too.” She hesitated as her eyes watered. “I miss him.”
“I know you do, honey.”
“It’s not fair. We were supposed to grow old together.” Felicia’s bottom lip quivered. “He didn’t deserve to die so young.”