“When did you get up, baby?” He shrugs his shoulders.
“When you were doing your makeup, Mommy.”
I pour Ella and myself a bowl of Cheerios, and we all begin to eat.
“Mommy, I like your hair that way,” Ella says, running her little hands through my hair. It’s been a long time since she has played with it.
“When I get home from work tonight, we can play beauty shop. You can do my hair, and I’ll do your nails?” I say with an animated voice to ramp up her excitement.
“Oh yes, Mommy, I can’t wait! Can I have the hot-pink color, and can you paint my toes too? Please!” Her pitch is high, and she smiles from ear to ear.
We need this light, happy conversation.
“Yes, of course. It’s a date! Now go upstairs and get dressed for school.” She runs to the sink and throws in her bowl so that it makes a loud crashing sound, then runs up the stairs. I love the sound of her feet running around. It makes me smile. Hunter is still sitting in his chair, quiet.
“How about I let you paint the airplane you and Uncle Kevin put together the other day?” He perks up, and the smile finally appears.
“Can I paint it any color I want?”
“Of course you can,” I say, kissing him on his cheek. “Now go and get dressed.” He clears his bowl. He looks at me and smiles, then runs up the stairs.
We run through the morning routine quickly today. I drop them off at school and head to work. One more day after today, and I will be off. I like working part-time. I get time away from the house to help me be a person again, and I get my time as a mother, but no longer a wife. I feel the hurt again and push it down. I need to get busy. I head straight into my office, where I check my messages before heading in to see Michele. She sits at her desk, talking on the phone, but she motions me to sit down as she hangs up.
“I’ve been calling you all morning.” I pull out my cell and realize it was on silent. Opps.
“Sorry, Michele. Is everything all right?”
“It’s Mrs. Grace. She was getting loud with the nurses, and they called me, but I couldn’t calm her down. She was asking for you. She said you would understand.” She looks at me, confused, and I am sure I look just as confused.
“I’ll go and see her now.” I walk straight to the elevator, get in, and press the doors shut. Why would I understand? Why would she want me? I only spoke to her briefly yesterday. This is weird. She definitely is a strange patient. When the doors open, I find Aiden there.
“Thank God you’re finally here; she has been crazy all morning, and she won’t listen to anyone. She keeps asking for you.” He looks at me, trying to figure something out, but I don’t give him the time. I can hear her shouting and throwing things.
“Get your filthy paws off of me, you tramp.” I can hear the anger in her voice, and I see Jane leave the room, face reddened, with her head down. I slip in the door to see Shane and John trying to calm her down, but she won’t look at them. When I walk in, they both stare at me.
“Mrs. Grace, I hear you were looking for me,” I say sweetly as I walk over to touch her hand.
“Well, it’s about time, Hannah. I’ve been waiting for you. I thought you were working last night, and I kept asking for you, but you never came back.” Shit. I think back. When I did my last rounds, she was sleeping.
“Mrs. Grace,” I begin and she stops me.
“Please, Hannah, call me Tori; I told you Mrs. Grace was my mother-in-law.” She is still sharp, even though she looks tired and disheveled.
“Would you mind giving me a moment with your mother?” I ask as I look at Shane and John. They look at their mother, who nods. Aiden steps in to disagree, and she shoots him a glaring look. He turns and follows his brothers.
“Tori, are you OK? What can I do for you?” She sighs and looks down at her hands.
“I don’t need anything. I just don’t trust many people, and I like you. I feel like I can trust you. I don’t like the nurses here; they are in here every moment to flirt with my sons. They don’t leave us alone.” I smile, taking her hand.
“Tori, I’m sure they aren’t in here to flirt with your sons. They are here to care for you.” She rolls her eyes at me. “Let me go and check your chart. I thought you were supposed to be moved out of here last night.”
When I walk out, the three Grace men are outside the door. I walk right past them, and they follow me. I can feel Aiden’s stare. He has a chip on his shoulder, for some reason. I stop and they stop. I turn and all three are looking at me.
“Gentlemen,” I say, looking at all three. “Can I help you with anything?” Shane laughs.