Page 125 of Breakneck Hockey

“Get over here, Charles,” Casey says. “Switch places with me.”

Charles steps in, and Mama West’s expression lights up with recognition. “I know your face,” she says.

“Hi, Mom.”

“You like this song?” she says

“Um, yeah.”

“Introduce us,” Casey murmurs.

“But she knows Mitch?—”

“Do it anyway,” he says.

“This is Mitchell and Casey, Mom. Friends of mine.”

“Can I make you a cup of tea, Mama West?” Casey says.

She frowns. “I think that would be alright…?” She checks in with Charles.

“Yeah, Mom. It’s fine. They’re here to help, okay?”

“Okay, sweetheart.”

We get her tea. Somehow, Casey knows exactly how to maneuver a conversation with her. He’s doing something. What, I have no idea, but Charles and I follow his lead. We have a great visit with Mama West, and if it weren’t for what I witnessed when we arrived, I’d think all was well here.

Like the therapist probably does when he’s not given the full story.

Eventually, we’re able to tuck Mama West into bed.

Casey ushers us back to the kitchen and pours us more tea. “Has your mom ever been checked for a minor stroke?” he asks. “The medical term is transient ischemic attack or TIA in case you’ve heard that thrown around.”

“A stroke? Wouldn’t we know if she’s had a stroke?”

“Not if it was a small one. You can have several mini-strokes and not know it, but they still cause brain damage that can lead to depression, dementia, or both. They can be missed and misdiagnosed.”

“You think my mom’s depression is related to a stroke?”

“I mean, I’m not a doctor, but the confusion I just saw? That’s beyond depression, dude.”

“Why wouldn’t she tell the therapist?”

“She might not realize what’s happening to her. Hell, often the symptoms are so regular you can chalk them up to tiredness.”

“And the therapist wouldn’t see it?”

“Not if she’s mostly lucid when the therapist sees her. It’s often in the evening when these kinds of symptoms show, if they’re present at all.”

Charles nods. “What do we do?”

“Over Christmas? Not much since doctors’ offices are closed for the holiday. But we call to get her into your family physician as soon as they can take her, and get the process started.”

“B-But what happens to us?”

Charles visibly crumbles. He knows what happens if there’s no one to take care of him and Stevie.

“I … have an idea,” Casey says.

---