Emma removed the earpieces of the stethoscope from her ears and hung the apparatus around her neck. “The blood tests indicate your mom is in reasonably good health, considering her age and circumstances. Her blood pressure reads consistently low, but the records indicate that may be a typical for her. Her heartbeat is strong and regular, although it was fairly elevated when your dad was outside raising Cain. Let’s see how you do over the next couple of weeks, Delicia. If anything out of the ordinary crops up, let me know right away. I may refer you to a specialist. In the meantime, I want you to get a little light exercise every day and regular time in the sunshine. Your Vitamin D levels were below what I’d like to see for you. A walk on pretty mornings would be fine. No sunbathing, though.”
“What about working?” her mother asked with concern in her tone. “Cassie needs me, you know?”
“Absolutely, you should work, but try for mornings only, and I want you to have a stool in the kitchen at Divine Drip. Take regular water breaks to keep hydrated.” She patted the fragile hand in hers and turned to Cassie. “I wish people understood how important staying hydrated is, even in the milder months. I think it played a role in her episode yesterday.”
Cassie’s mother twisted her mouth as though she knew Emma was right.
Emma looked back at her and said, “But I know your anxiety is also an issue. When you felt the panic attack beginning yesterday, did you try doing your breathing exercises like we talked about since you don’t like to take medication?”
“Yes. I mean no. Doctor, he showed up out of the blue and began ranting at my daughter,” she said, tears forming in her eyes. “His voice, the way he speaks to his family. I never even thought of the deep breathing exercises. I wanted to confront him and stop him, but I…I couldn’t face him. My heart was pounding so hard, but I couldn’t face him. I hid…I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” she whispered to Cassie. “I’m so sorry.”
Fresh anger at her father swelled inside her. Her mother was a shadow of the woman she’d been before the tragic mistake that had broken her family. She’d been sweet, calm, confident, and enthusiastic about life. Now, she cowered just at the sound of his voice, which was the true tragedy, that he’d maintained such power over them, even though they no longer lived under the same roof.
“Mami,” Cassie said, stroking her mother’s forearm. “I think it would be good if you came to live with me. I know the apartment has worked for you so far, but I’d like to have you closer to home. Just in case.”
“I don’t want to be a burden.”
Emma nodded as she consulted the medical chart and made a note. “Mrs. Villalobos, I think it would be a smart move to make right now. Aging but otherwise healthy parents tend to do better when they live with a family member. More interaction, more meaningful activities than television and work would be good for you. If you were my mom, I’d want you to live with me, and not just because you’re a fabulous cook,” she added with a twinkle in her eyes. “Cooking for one person usually leads to cutting many corners and less healthful choices.”
Her mom looked decidedly guilty for a second, and Cassie thought it was because Emma had hit that nail on the head, too.
Cassie said, “Wouldn’t you prefer to move home now, rather than later when you may need more help?”
Samson picked that moment to poke his head in the door and say, “Knock-knock.”
“Come in,” Cassie called. “Mami, you remember Samson Cutter, don’t you?”
“I do. Samson, it’s good to see you again. Cassie surprised me when she told me you were visiting the coffee shop.”
He gave her mom an easy smile, and while he came forward to greet her, Emma rose from the bed, poked Cassie with her elbow, and waggled her eyebrows at her. “So this is the famous Mr. Cutter, huh?”
“One of them,” she whispered and then giggled.
Emma scribbled on her pad and then tore off the prescription, handed it to her, and murmured, “This is for the cream I told you about earlier. Fill it and keep it on hand because…yeah. Use it.” She winked and then greeted Samson and introduced herself. “I’ve heard wonderful things about you and your brother. Cassie and I are good friends. Maybe we’ll run into each other on a night when you and Ivan take Cassie out to the Dancing Pony.”
“I’d like that, Doctor Rivers,” he said as he shook her hand.
After Emma had taken her leave, Cassie’s mother said, “You’re going out with Ivan, too?” She looked a little confused. “Is Ivan with you now?”