Page 53 of An Engagement for Erica

“Tucker, you know the dog I’m talking about,” his grandfather said. “The poodle. Meema.”

“I think that was your poodle,” he said. “When you were a kid.”

“No,” his grandfather said, shaking his head. “I didn’t have any dogs.”

“Must be I’m confused,” he said quickly and looked at Erica.

He didn’t have to say anything; she understood enough.

And she saw more of it as the hour went on.

The up and down in energy, the confusion in speech, even the stumbling of words.

“You know, TC,” Erica said, “I can’t believe how tired I am. A nap sounds, great, don’t you think?”

“That would be rude,” his grandfather said. “You’re a guest.”

Tucker laughed. “Grandpa. You’re in the hospital. We aren’t guests.”

“I’m in the hospital?” his grandfather asked, looking around. “Oh yeah. I was hoping this wasn’t some ugly decor your grandmother decided to change our room into. Thank God.”

The comment was just too funny to not laugh over.

“Yes,” he said. “You need your rest. Michael will be here this afternoon. Remember, you have physical therapy after lunch. Conserve your energy and show them how strong you are.”

“I’m going to walk right down the hall and back and prove to them I’m fine,” his grandfather said.

“You do that, Grandpa.”

But Tucker knew it wasn’t going to happen.

If his grandfather could walk a few steps with assistance that would be a blessing. He was more concerned over the fact that he couldn’t hold himself up on his left side than anything else.

“Come give me a kiss on the cheek, Erica,” his grandfather said. “This way I’ll know that I’m not dreaming this.”

He smiled when his grandfather said that and knew it was just some charm.

“You’re not dreaming,” she said. “You’ll see me again.”

“I better,” his grandfather said. “I’m going to make sure Tucker holds onto you tight.”

Tucker held back the cringe from his face. He didn’t need his grandfather dropping things like that.

“Thank you,” he said when they were in his car driving back home.

“It was nice to meet him. I could see the longer we were there, the harder it was for him to stay focused. I didn’t want to tire him out more.”

“Yeah. That is what I noticed too. Normally I’m just sitting there while he’s resting, but he felt he had to entertain us.”

“Do you really think they will release him tomorrow?” she asked.

“They say they are. I’m sure I could push for him to stay longer or move him to a rehab facility.”

“You know your grandfather better than me, but I’m willing to bet he will recover better and faster at home.”

“Exactly,” he said. “I’ve got nurses lined up to be there around the clock. The hospital is going to set up a physical therapist to come out daily too. The nurses will help with that multiple times a day. I think he’s going to get better care at home.”

“I want to say he’s going to be fine, Tucker...”

---