Page 84 of The Breakdown

“Wait a minute, you knew she was coming?” Vaughn asked.

Gram shrugged. “Maybe.”

“She told me all about what’s going on around here and I just had to come,” her mother said.

“As they say, wild horses couldn’t keep her away,” Gram said with a grin. She brushed Vivian’s graying hair away from her face and kissed her cheek. Soon, Vaughn thought, her mother’s hair would be entirely white, just like Gram’s. The two were so much alike, even in looks. The only difference, other than the age gap, was their creativity. Gram had a fondness for cooking and landscaping, whereas her mother had a passion for painting and sculpting. Both were incredible talents and Vaughn knew she’d inherited her own creativity with photography from both of them.

Natalie spotted her brief cringe from the pain in her back and came to her side.

“Are you okay?”

Vaughn gripped her lower back. “Don’t say anything, but I think it’s getting worse.”

“What can I do?”

“Get me that ice pack from the freezer if you would.”

Natalie gave Vaughn’s shoulder a squeeze and waited a moment for Gram and Vivian to head off toward the bedroom. She opened the freezer and dug out the blue ice pack, wrapped a dish towel around it, and brought it to Vaughn. “Do you want to sit in the living room? Maybe lie on the couch?”

“Can’t. I still need to check on Midnight.”

“I can do it.”

“Would you mind?”

“Not at all.”

“I really appreciate it.” Vaughn tried to stand, but she cried out at the immense pain. Natalie gripped her arm and helped her straighten.

“Holy shit, that hurt,” Vaughn said, finally able to move.

“Come on, let’s get you to bed.”

“I’m not ready for bed.”

“Too bad. I’m making the call and I say you’re going to bed.”

Vaughn gritted her teeth as she moved, one foot slowly in front of the other. “I’m hurting too damn bad to argue with you. Just get me there.”

They headed through the living room and down the hallway. They were just about to enter Vaughn’s bedroom when Gram and her mother emerged from the spare room. They immediately noticed Vaughn’s stature.

“Your back?” Gram said, coming to her side.

“I’m fine,” Vaughn tried, not wanting to worry them.

“She’s far from fine,” Natalie said.

Vaughn gave her a look. Natalie didn’t back down. “Vaughn, you’re not okay.”

“Tell me how bad it is,” her mother said, walking up to her to touch her face.

Vaughn winced as she tried to turn to go into the bedroom. “It’s pretty bad.”

“She needs a doctor,” Natalie said. “But first, let’s get her to the bed.” The three of them helped guide Vaughn into her room and onto her bed. Natalie knelt and removed her sneakers, gently lifting and swinging her legs over onto the mattress. She waited while Vaughn rolled onto her side, then she placed the ice pack behind her and Vaughn eased back over. Natalie draped the covers over her and adjusted her pillows.

“I’m going to go get her some Aleve,” Natalie said, leaving the room.

Her mother came to her and took her by the hand. “Looks like you’ve got a pretty good friend there.”

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