Page 108 of Five Summers

“It’s my daughter. I just got a phone call from Simon.”

I’m familiar with Simon, Mrs. B’s son-in-law. She can't stop talking about how great he is with her daughter and grandkids.

“It’s Sienna. She’s been in a car accident. Simon rang a few minutes ago. He’s booked me a flight out this afternoon.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I say, stepping forward to give her a hug. “Is she going to be okay?” I ask, taking a step back.

“I’m not sure,” Mrs. B says, lifting her glasses and wiping her eyes. “She hit her head and Simon said they're gonna operate, so I won't have more information until I'm there. I’m so sorry, Poppy. I have no idea how long I'll be gone for.”

“Don’t worry about me,” I reassure her. “Go, be there for your daughter.”

Just then, Alex comes running into the room. “GG,” he says as he approaches.

“Hello sweetheart,” Mrs. B says, with a faint smile, trying to put on a happy face.

“So, what time is your flight?” I ask.

“The flight is at two. I’ll have to pack and leave shortly.”

“I’ll give you a lift to the airport,” I offer, feeling indebted to Mrs. B for everything she has done for us throughout the years.

She reaches out and grasps my hand. “If it’s not too much trouble, I would like that. Again, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize for taking care of your family. I completely understand. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help?”

I open the door, allowing her to move out of the apartment. “Just knock on the door when you’re ready to leave.”

“Thank you, dear,” she responds, then heads to her apartment across the hall.

After she shuts her door, I close ours and head back to the table where Alex is engrossed in the puzzle we had started earlier. I suddenly feel trapped, with no escape in sight. The ten grand that Reg gave me has already been spent, and now I have to figure out a way to repay it. But what if they demand the full amount all at once? It’s completely impossible for me to come up with that kind of money. And to make matters worse, I’ve already lost my job. They brought in a new girl last week, and I was the one training her. What the hell am I supposed to do now?

I grab my phone off the table, determined to text Ace to let him know I might not make it if I can't figure out a solution to my problem. But then Alex comes over and jumps on my lap, so I stop.

“Why was GG crying?” he asks.

“Her daughter was in a car accident today and she’s worried about her.”

"Is she gonna die?" He gives me a stare with those familiar brown eyes.

“I hope not. But don't ask GG that, okay. It might upset her.”

He nods and goes back to his puzzle.

When Mrs. B knocks, Alex swiftly gets up from my lap and hurries to open the door. I quickly lock my apartment as I step out, taking Mrs. B’s suitcase. She holds Alex’s hand and guides us to the elevator, the two of them chatting along the way.

I hate seeing Mrs. B so upset. On the way to the airport, I saw she was trying to act happy whenever she spoke to Alex.

After saying our goodbye, Alex and I sit, gazing out the glass windows watching the planes take off. Alex just sits there all afternoon, wanting to watch the planes. It's crazy how something so small can hold his attention for so long. Meanwhile, I've been sitting here, attempting to text Ace to tell him I can’t make it, but I keep chickening out and deleting it every time.

The only option I have is to find another babysitter for Alex, and unfortunately, the only person I know is the last person I ever wanted to leave him with. My mother. But I have no choice. Not after I’ve already spent the ten thousand. I have to go to my mother and see if she would be willing to watch her grandson. It might only be for a few days anyway. Mrs. B said that as soon as she has more information she will let me know. It's possible that Alex will only be at my mom's for a week, tops, and then Mrs. B might be back.

As I drive to my mom's house, I’m feeling anxious as I go over the verses in my head, rehearsing the words I will say to her.

It’s been over two years since I last saw her. Since I stopped taking Alex over to see her. I'm not sure how she'll react when she sees me. And especially when she hears the job is music related.

As I pull up to the curb, a lump forms in my throat as I spot her out the front of the house, tending to the garden. When she turns around and spots my car, I see the shock on her face. Resisting the powerful urge to flee, I turn off the car engine. Itake a deep breath and force myself to open the car door. As soon as I get out, I go around the car to open the back passenger door for Alex to get out.

While we head towards the front gate, my mother keeps a close eye on us. The moment we reach the gate, she swiftly removes her gardening gloves and approaches us. Although no one has spoken, I can already feel the tension in the air.

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