Page 44 of Time To Live Again

“Ma, what’s with the questions?” Leo interrupts with an annoyed edge to his tone.

“It’s okay, Leo.” If I’m going to stop hiding in my apartment, I have to get used to people asking me personal questions. “I have an older brother who lives in San Francisco. And my dad died a year and a half ago.”

“Oh, I’m really sorry to hear that.” Marla’s sudden warmth and sympathy makes her sound like she really cares. She blinks her glassy eyes, then grabs her napkin to dab the corners of them. “How’s your mom handling it?”

“As best as she can in her situation. My parents were happily married. They were inseparable. Always affectionate, even after being together over thirty-five years. It’s something I—well, anyone—would be lucky to find.” I keep my eyes from seeking Leo’s, sensing what my heart already knows. Something ridiculous, but maybe not. “Because he’s gone,” I finish, “she’s kind of attached herself to me. It’s been hard for her.”

“Over thirty-five years… That’s a long time,” Marla sympathizes.

“They got married after college and had kids later when my dad’s business finally took off. My brother and I were born in the same year.”Like Leo’s family really cares about that.

“Our parents were happy like that too,” Tonya mentions, glancing at Marla. “Right?” Marla blinks several times.

“Ma? Are you okay?” Sully says, startling me.

Marla tilts her head back. “I think I might have gotten a little mustard in my eye. It stings. Excuse me for a second.”

“Do you need help?” I ask, quickly standing. “If you have eye solution, like eye drops, you need to flush the eye immediately. If you don’t, a lot of water. It can damage your eye if it isn’t treated right away. I can help you if you’d like.”

Unbelievable! That came out of nowhere and it felt unbelievable. I didn’t have to think about it, I knew what she should do. I had patients in the ICU with horrific eye injuries.Nurse Hansen is in the house!

“Thanks for the advice. I’ll be fine. Please finish your food.” She pushes away from the table and leaves the room, sniffling along the way.

Was it really mustard or is she crying? If it were mustard, she’d be in a lot more pain. Something doesn’t seem right. Did I remind her of her late husband when I mentioned that my dad died? Now I feel bad. But she’s the one who asked.

I sit and pull my chair in, ignoring my personal revelation and that I may have made a spectacle of myself.

Leo leans closer and whispers, “That was impressive. It gave me a little glimpse of you as a nurse. You’ve still got it.”

I give a slight nod and grin, then I glance at Tonya and Sully to see if they heard Leo. This is not the time or place to talk about it.

Tonya gets up and refills the water carafe, then brings it back to the table. “Don’t worry, Olive. I’m sure Mom’s fine. Anybody want more water?” I push my empty glass forward for her to refill.

Leo strokes my back gently. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think Mom would grill you like that.”

“Well, it’s rare that you show interest in our hotel guests or any woman at all when you’re home,” Tonya points out, scooping up another serving of mashed potatoes. “Of course she’s going to ask questions. And I’m sure you’re curious too.”

Sully nods, agreeing with her.

Leo glances at me and squeezes my hand under the table. Without pause, he says, “I’m definitely interested.”

Me too.

17

LEO

Mom’s acting weird—not at all like I thought she would. I know the excuse we gave Olive to come to dinner was because she helped us, but Tonya, Mom, and I all had ulterior motives. Because of that, I thought Mom would fall all over Olive to make her feel welcome and to embarrass me with baby stories. None of that has happened yet.

My family knows not to discuss certain topics such as Corey, my dancing, and other talents I haven’t practiced in a while. But why Tonya hasn’t brought up my dancing the other night draws a big blank. I thought for sure she’d have told Mom and Mom would be asking me a million questions instead of drilling Olive. Was it not as monumental to Tonya as it was to me? I’m glad they’re smart enough not to go there with me tonight. I want Olive to get to know that part of me when the time is right.

Mom’s usually super warm and welcoming to guests, but I haven’t seen that side of her since we arrived. It’s like she’s skeptical about something. And for her to get emotional—that’s way out of left field. The whole mustard thing had to have been an act to hide it. I haven’t seen her get upset about Dad in a long time. I wonder what triggered it.

And to see Olive immediately offer to help her and instruct her on what to do was surprising. I think it was for Olive too. I pictured her in a hospital room dressed in scrubs, full of confidence and experience. It’s sexy as hell. She could be my nurse anytime.

“So, Olive, did you make any resolutions this year?” Tonya asks between sips of her drink. “One of mine was always to be less obsessive or anal about everything. Never happened.” Sully and I nod in agreement. There’s no stopping her. “I don’t bother anymore.”

Olive relaxes in her chair. “I have a mixture of resolutions and things I want to do this year. I guess they’re considered the same.”

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