Page 8 of Quiet Chaos

The doctor says, “She had a mild heart attack and fractured her hip when she fell. She’s stable, but in a lot of pain. We’ll keep her here while we run more tests, and afterwards, transfer her to a live-in facility for rehabilitation.”

“But I can take care of her.”

“Can you be there 24/7? She needs around-the-clock care and therapy. I’m afraid the best place for her is where nurses and therapists can work with her.”

I take a bus to Ms. Adeline’s. Several days later, Ms. Babs and I head over to the live-in facility to see her to discuss the future. It turns out Ms. Adeline is worse off than we thought. She’s confused and emotional. Since she has no family and there’s no living will, we have no choice but to let things work themselves out. Either Ms. Adeline will get better soon, or she’ll lose her home. Unfortunately, Ms. Babs believes the latter will happen.

I’m sitting on the couch in the living room, wondering where I’ll live, when the doorbell rings. It’s Christoff. With tears in my eyes, he embraces me, rocks back and forth, and says everything is going to be okay. And I believe him.

***

Ms. Adeline is still in the rehabilitation center, and bills are piling up. By this time, Olivia and Matt have been inseparable. She’s come by to see how Ms. Adeline is doing and to check on me, but we rarely hang out. I’m sure her being in love with Matt, and disliking Christoff, has something to do with it. I’veexplained to her that Christoff is only looking out for my best interest. Olivia gives a weak agreement and then disappears for a while before I hear from her again.

I have asked Ms. Babs for advice, but she doesn’t know what to do. I contacted Sister Mary, and she told me that Ms. Adeline will most likely remain in the center and the house will go through foreclosure. There’s nothing I can do except purchase the house, which isn’t a possibility. I don’t even have enough saved for one month’s rent. The only money I can rely on is what I make at the diner, which isn’t enough for me to get my own place, let alone buy this house. The diner isn’t a popular place all day long, and most of the patrons are on a budget, which means few tips.

Christoff comes over and is bouncing off the walls with excitement. “Come with me.”

Confusion contorts my face. “Huh?”

“I have friends who live in Garden City, Utah. There’s this job for me.”

“So…so you’re moving?”

“Yes, and I want you to come.”

I hug my arms and look around Ms. Adeline’s place. Guilt and fear tugs at my heart.What’s going to happen to me?I’ve wondered this since her accident.

My strained expression finds Christoff’s smile. “But I can’t leave Ms. Adeline.”

“She’s not coming back, Sky. This is the end of the road for her. Once the bank takes over her house, you’ll have nowhere to stay. The money you make as a waitress isn’t much to survive on, let alone afford a place to live in this area.”

He hugs me, kisses my forehead, and says, “Let me take care of you. Come to Garden City.” He lowers himself to eye level. “You’ll love it there. There’s Bear Lake, where we can spend our free time.”

It sounds wonderful. I’m at a crossroads. If he’s right and Ms. Adeline doesn’t come back, I’ll be on the streets. Ms. Babs lives above the diner in a one-bedroom apartment, and I can’t afford a place of my own. There’s always the convent. But I won’t meet my husband there. What if Christoff is meant to be my husband? What if I go back to the convent and miss out on God’s plan?

After an hour of disagreement, I tell Christoff I’ll have to think about it. In the darkened house, I call Olivia to get her input about Christoff’s plan.

She answers on the first ring. “Hey, girl. You okay?”

I twist the phone cord around my finger. Ms. Adeline had never upgraded her 1970s phone. “I’m fine, Olivia. For now. The bills are piling up. Ms. Adeline’s home will go into foreclosure. At some point, she took out a second mortgage on her house.” I let out a heavy sigh. “I’m scared, Olivia.”

“Damn, Sky. I’d have you move in with me, except I’m no longer at my studio. Matt and I live together.”

“What? When did that happen?”

“A couple of weeks ago. I was going to tell you, but with all that’s been going on, I couldn’t find the right time.”

I brush the tears from my cheek. “Well…that’s…that’s great, Olivia.”

“What are you going to do?”

I sniffle, sit taller on the couch, and say, “I’m going to move to Garden City with Christoff.” She lets out a disapprovingoh. “Olivia, you don’t know him. He’s good to me, and didn’t you tell me not to judge?”

“If it’s what you want to do, then do it.”

My eyes close. “You don’t agree.”

“Sky, I love you. I want the best for you. If you think Christoff is it, then I’m happy for you.”

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