Page 12 of Tainted

Hauling to my feet, I quickly changed because I had more important things to do. I quickly drove over to Serenity Springs, and Banana Girl’s light brown orbs blinked, trying to recall the little girl who used to follow her around.

"My Zara," she whispered, her voice a melody of joy and surprise. “Come here, let me look at you."

I stepped to her bedside, and her hand cupped my cheek, trembling against my skin. I wanted to believe it was just the excitement from seeing me, but it was residual damage from the stroke.

“You looked at me yesterday, Nana Banana,” I chuckled to lighten the mood.

She pulled me into her embrace and reclined, still holding me. It was as if I was still the little girl who had spent summers chasing magic only Nana could create. As a child, I nicknamedher because, in my innocent mind, her skin tone resembled the pale hue of a ripe banana. So,Nana Bananabecame a reflection of the unique bond we shared.

“How are you feeling today?”

“I’m not dead, so.”

“Good thing you’re not. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy these,” I smiled, pulling the Cow Tail from my bag. Growing up, they were her favorite, and judging by the glow of her smile, they still were. “I’ll share, but you have to tell me why you’re in a mood today.”

Nana sucked her teeth, “Gwen told you that?” referring to the no-nonsense nurse that usually worked her unit. She was nice and the only one who could stand toe-to-toe with Banana Girl when she got in her mood.

“She did.”

“She needs to stop running her mouth and worry about that ugly ass mop on her head.”

“I should wash your mouth with soap for being rude.”

“It ain’t rude if it’s true. She needs to mind her business.”

“She cares about you,” I said, extending the Cow Tail. Just that quickly, I forgot about the stroke and how weak her left side was.

I felt a strong urge to help as I watched her struggle to grasp the candy in her left hand. I resisted until she finally got frustrated and no longer craved the sweet treat she used to sneak me before dinner.

“Calling somebody for your every need ain’t easy for a woman like me.”

“This isn’t forever. It’s just a pit stop on the way back home. Now, what do you need to turn that frown upside down?”

“A shower.”

“Let’s do it,” I smiled, peeling my jacket off.

All it took was a hot shower, combing her hair, and watching General Hospital while eating Cow Tails to shift her mood.

“Sonny Corinthos is still on this show?” I asked, reclining in the chair next to her bed.

“Still. He looks good, doesn’t he?”

“He’s alright.”

“Just alright? You youngin’s don’t know nothing.” Nana waved me off because you couldn’t tell her anything about Sonny Corinthos—not when I was a kid and not now.

“Are Sonny and Carly still together?”

“Girl, no. Can you believe she married Jason when they thought Sonny was dead?”

I chuckled at how appalled she was at the writing. “What?”

“Yup, but I always knew it would happen one day. Jason has never played when it comes to Carly. It didn’t matter who she was with. A man like that is a man you keep.” The conversation stopped so she could focus on Sonny and Nina’s conversation before she asked, “How’s your Mama doing?”

Shrugging my shoulders made Nana’s nostrils flare.

“I reckon you haven’t spoken to Rodney either?”

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