Page 75 of Hard Hat Hottie

My hand returns to my chest, rubbing the familiar circular pattern whenever that ache decides to pay a visit. That was such a phenomenal day. Who’d know springing her boys on me like that would have affected me in such a way? Hell, I hadn’t wanted them to leave.

4:30 p.m.

Harrison

I’m sorry. I wish I’d had time to say goodbye. I was rushing to get to my orthopedist before I had to leave.

Taking a quick picture of my right wrist in the new black Velcro brace, I send it along to her.

But it’s not enough. It wouldn’t have taken me but a few minutes to run over and kiss her goodbye. I’m just feeling guilty for pulling away when she’s been nothing but sweet to me. Yet, I’m discovering there’s not enough room for all of the things I feel guilty over. I can’t keep up with it all. My damn plate is too full.

Downing half of my water, I lay my head back, hoping to clear my thoughts. There’s no sense worrying about things I can’t change. As much as I miss spending time with Harlow and her boys, my life is entirely too complicated to do any more than I am right now. Hopefully, she’ll understand. Her life is equally busy. I just hope that once things calm down, she’ll forgive me for not making her more of a priority. But relationships have never worked out in my favor. So, I need to stay focused on Mom and work right now, because those are the two I can’t mess around with.

Fidgeting in my seat, I’m having a hard time getting comfortable. Which is odd. Now that the damn cast and sling are off, you’d think I’d feel like a million bucks. I buckle in, look out the window at the runway, and hope for an easy flight. I admit Jo’s prediction about storms ahead has me worried. If I were home when he’d said it, I probably would’ve consulted the Magic 8 ball. I can practically see the answer:

Outlook Not So Good.

It isn’t long before Gavin is seated in the cockpit, ready for takeoff. “Just relax, Harrison. We’ve got clear skies all the way to Miami. We’ll be there in no time.”

See.Don’t go borrowing trouble, Harrison.Why am I letting that old coot get in my head?

“Hey, Joyce. Sorry for the late call. I’m trying to get caught up here. How’s everything going?”

“Slow. I think the move back home and introducing her to the new nurse and therapy team on top of the sedating medication has made her exhausted. She should sleep well tonight.”

Well, I guess that’s something. “She doesn’t appear to be in pain, does she?”

“No, Harry. I’m trying to be careful to only give her what she needs. But she seems much more cooperative now that she’s back home. And when she tries to move without help, the pain reminds her to slow down.”

“Did she eat anything?”

“Not a lot, but some. I’ll try to make her that chicken tortilla soup she likes tomorrow.”

I smile. A genuine smile. At least I can sleep tonight, knowing Mom is in her own bed, with someone looking out for her that knows what she needs. “You’re a gem, Joyce. I’ll try to call you tomorrow. Give her a kiss for me.”

“I always do.”

The next two weeks bring more of the same. Flying back and forth during the week and trying to spend quality time with Mom on the weekends. Luckily, Matt has flown out whenever he’s had a few days off in a row, which has given Joyce a break and helped to ease my mind.

Both have shared that Mom doesn’t have any interest in participating in therapy, thus it will likely end soon, if it hasn’t already. I’m afraid her cognition has caused their hard work to go to waste. The last time I saw her, she was carrying her walker down the hall as if it was a prop a lion tamer would use at the circus. A lot of good that thing does if she’s swinging it through the air.

Joyce hasn’t been giving her much pain medication, but she hasn’t needed it as she spends most days in bed. I guess she’s safer that way.

10:02 p.m.

Harrison

Hey… know it’s late. Had been thinking about you and…

Delete, delete, delete.

10:02 p.m.

Harrison

Hey, Harlow. Sorry it’s been a while…

Delete, delete, delete.

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