Page 38 of The Wrong Move

“Woah.” I pace the hardwood floor. “Do you want me to come up and keep you company? It’s going to be a long night for you both.”

“You need to sleep, darling. Lacey and I will be fine.”

They absolutely will be. My mother and Penny’s will have the staff bending over backward to keep her comfortable. “Okay, call me if you need any help.”

“Royce will be ready when the jet lands to drive Franklin directly to the hospital. Maybe you could be there for Brandon and Charlotte?”

“I’ll take my whistle. By the time they land, they’ll need a referee.”

“Don’t be too hard on her. Charlotte wants what is best for Brandon’s career and yours.”

Hard on her? Does she know how hard Charlotte is onusto supposedly keep us in line?

My mother wears rose-colored glasses when it comes to Charlotte.

“Sure. Keep me updated with Penny. I’ll message Lottie to see if she needs a lift home.”

9

GIANA

My father sits quietly,watching the television.

I barely slept last night, waiting for him to go to the bathroom. I heard him stumble. Mom didn’t hear him as he gets around the house in stealth mode. She was upset when she heard our voices outside her door. For the remainder of the night, I listened out for every noise, every painful groan that came from him in their bedroom.

I reach over and squeeze his hand.

“How is your pain, Dad?”

He tentatively traces a finger near the wound. “My head throbs.”

“You hit it hard. Do you want some more pain meds?”

“I can get them.” Mom stands and leaves the room. It’s the first time since his accident that we’ve been alone.

“How are you really feeling?” I whisper. He stares at me with wide eyes. His pupils look fine, which is reassuring.

“How do fools feel?”

“Dad,” I say gently. “It was an accident.”

His brown eyes glaze over.Please don’t cry.I won’t be able to hold it together if my dad cries.

“I know I haven’t been myself.” He shakes his head. “Your mother worries enough about me. I don’t need you getting worked up too.”

I link my fingers through his. “I want what’s best for you.”

“The time will come when I can’t stay here, but until then, I’m grateful to stay in my home.”

“You’re decades from going anywhere.” It might not be true, but it’s what I feel in my heart. If my dad wants to live here, then I’ll do everything I can to get him the care he needs to remain here so he never has to leave his garden.

“Gigi, I know I’m becoming more forgetful, and your mother covers for me. I trip more times in a day than I did a year ago. Most times, I gather my balance before I fall. Not this time.”

“I’m getting rid of all the rugs and mats on the floor,” I tell him. “Even I’ve tripped on the one in the living room.”

“I told your mother to get rid of it years ago,” he snaps.

“It’s fine, Dad.” I pat his hand. His mood swings will become more frequent as his dementia progresses, and it’s not surprising, given the stress of his fall.

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