Page 26 of Lucky Bounce: Game On: Part Two

"Mom, it's Eli." He fought to keep his voice even. "I'm your son. You asked me to visit you today.”

"That's impossible! I've never given birth. How could you be my son? I don't have a son! I wasn't able to have children."

Eli sat back on his heels and spotted a picture of the two of them taken at one of his games a few years ago. He picked the frame up and held it out to her.

"You wouldn't have a photo of me in your house if you didn't know me, right? You adopted me when I was a little kid."

His mother took the frame from him and stared at it for a little while.

"This is such a nice picture of us, Elijah. One of my favorites." Her face relaxed, and she settled back in her chair. She handed him the picture. "Put it back for me, would you?"

Irena slipped from the room as he placed the photo on the coffee table. He sank back down onto the couch and stared at the television.

What must it be like for her, living in her mind 24/7? He was already exhausted and emotionally drained, and he’d barely been here an hour.

Ten minutes later, she was fast asleep. Relief flooded him, quickly followed by shame. The guilt he felt lately was becoming unbearable.

He trekked back out into the kitchen and swiped another cookie before settling into one of the soft-backed chairs.

Irena took a seat across from him at the table. "I'm so sorry, Eli."

"I'm a shit son because I was relieved when she fell asleep. Relieved, Irena." He took a bite of the cookie and shook his head. "Fuck."

"It's a lot to handle. And frankly, she needs more care than Jessie and I can give her. I know you don't want to hear that, but it's the truth."

"How can I move her out of her home? I moved it here from New York so she would feel comfortable in her own space. I didn't bring her out here to stick her in a goddamned nursing home."

"It doesn't have to be like that, Eli. There's a wonderful facility not far from here with a large, round-the-clock staff. She's too isolated here, and it's not helping. She socializes with you, me, and Jessie. That's it. Lately, when we try to take her outside, she gets confused and agitated, and it's too much for us to handle alone."

Eli dragged his hands through his hair. "I'm sorry, Irena. I just want the best for her."

"I know you do, but this isn't it anymore." She placed her hand on his arm. "I know you have a lot on your plate right now with the playoffs coming up, but don't wait too much longer to consider this. If you want the best thing for her, the facility is the answer, Eli. I promise.”

He inclined his head. "Yeah. I hear you."

"Good." She slapped her hands down on her thighs, then stood. "Are you taking some of these cookies home?"

"No. I ate way more than I should have already."

Irena picked one up and took a bite. "More for me and Jessie, I suppose."

He got up and pulled out his car keys. "I'm gonna take off. Call if you need me for anything."

"Will do. Hang in there, Eli."

"I'm trying."

He paused in the archway of the living room on his way out. His mother was still fast asleep in her chair. Bending down, he brushed a kiss against her forehead and fought back another wave of emotion.

If he could, he'd trade everything he had—his career, his fame, and his fortune—so she could have her memory back.

The irony of it was that if it were possible, she would never let him do it. All she'd ever wanted was for him to be happy and play hockey.

She'd taken care of him through hard times and had made tough decisions. Now it was his turn to do the same.

Even if it hurt like hell.

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