Page 45 of Mic Drop

“This is for the best, you know.”

Kara pushes her empty plate to the side. Even as kids, when she was finished eating, she’d always move her plate away from her. Ma does it too. I don’t remark on her habit, keeping this tidbit inside. Instead, I ask, “What is?”

“Ma making her own decisions about her end-of-life care. She’s at home, relatively happy and comfortable.” She glances around. “Surrounded by flowers and eating Chicago pizza.”

“Two very good things.” I fiddle with my ponytail. “In my head, I understand what you’re saying. My heart wants her to stay longer, though.”

“I hear you.” Kara pushes away from the table and brings her dishes to the sink. “Sucks big time. But the best gift we can give her is dignity. Let her choose her own path.” She rinses off the dish and I place it into the dishwasher.

Her words make me stand straighter. “Is this from you or your husband?”

“He started it. I’ve embraced the sentiment and now we’re trying to explain to our kids why grammy can’t come visit anymore.”

“Your munchkins are the best. I know they make Ma happy when they call or you bring them over.”

“Thanks, kiddo.”

Kara called mekiddowhen we were young. She hasn’t used this nickname for me in decades. She has to be feeling Ma’s health issues as deeply as I am, only she has a family to attend to and help her process. Bennett’s been awesome, but given our distance and his relationship with his own mother, he hasn’t been as available as I would’ve liked. Hell, with me twenty-four seven might not be enough.

“Before I forget, do you have Ma’s medication list for me?”

“Yes, I have it in my bedroom. Come on.” Kara’s been able to purchase Ma’s meds at a discount, but always double-checks the doctor’s notes against the prescription.

Together, we go into what is nowmymessy bedroom, with my open suitcase on one bench and clothes scattered on top of all flat surfaces. Kara frowns. “I don’t remember you being this disorganized.”

I pick up a couple of items and half-heartedly toss them into the suitcase. “I don’t make it back to my house too often, grabbing whatever I can before coming back here. Getting this room under control isn’t a priority for me right now.”

She places her hand on my shoulder. “I’m here for you.”

She means it. We may not have been close before Ma’s health issues, but we’re becoming closer since the diagnosis. “I know you took on the brunt of the doctor visits when I was on tour with UC. I’m only doing my part.”

“Hey, we’re both doing what we can. We’re a team.” She gives me a hug.

A team? With my sister? If anything good is coming out of this awful ordeal, it’s I’m building a relationship with Kara. She’s pretty cool. “Ma made some pretty good humans, huh?”

“She sure did.” We break apart. “Now, about Ma’s meds?”

“Right.” We approach my desk, filled with all sorts of paperwork. Including...

“What’s this?” Kara snags the official paper.

I purse my lips. This is my sister, who I’m getting to know and trust. Out of everyone on earth, she deserves to know what’s going on. I have no doubt she’ll keep our secret. “It’s something Bennett and I did the last time he was in town.”

She stares at the paper. “Is this what I think it is?”

I pluck it from her fingers. “If you’re thinking it looks like a marriage license, then yes. You’re right.”

She stares at me for a moment, her gray eyes darkening. “My baby sister’s getting married?”

I nod.

“Oh my God. Come here!”

She folds me into our second embrace of the day, this one filled with excitement and happiness. If only all of them would feel this way. I squeeze her tight.

“Don’t tell Ma or anyone about it, all right?” I step back. “We have sixty days from when it was issued to get married. Bennett’s trying to get everything set up for tomorrow, but I don’t know if even he can pull this off.”

“What can I do?”

---