Page 20 of The Man Next Door
“Can we turn that off?” Louise snapped.
“Sure,” said Zona, and they drove the rest of the way home in silence.
Back at the house, Darling was excited to see Mommy and about knocked Louise off balance, which made Zona’s heart stop.
“No. Down, Darling,” she commanded as she helped her mother to the couch, Bree following behind with Louise’s purse and the one sandal that was no longer a fit thanks to the cast.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Zona offered.
“Yes, a piña colada. Oh, that’s right. I’m not on the boat anymore,” Louise grumbled. Then sighed. “You know what, I think you probably should just get me to bed.”
Zona thought of all the stairs between Louise and her bedroom and envisioned her mother losing her balance, falling down them, and breaking her other leg. Or an arm. Or her neck.
“Mom, I’m thinking maybe we’d better move you to the downstairs guest bedroom for a while,” she said.
This inspired another sigh. “I think you’re right,” Louise said, grabbing for her crutches.
“Want me to get your nightgown?” Bree offered as Zona hurried to help Louise struggle back up.
“Thanks, honey,” Louise said. “Look in the top drawer of my dresser.”
“Got it,” said Bree, and headed up the stairs.
“This is darned inconvenient,” Louise grumbled as Zona followed her to the downstairs bedroom.
“I’m really sorry, Mom,” said Zona.
“Oh, well. Hawaii will still be there once I get out of this stupid cast.”
“There you go,” said Zona.
“Maybe I’d better go potty before I settle in,” Louise decided, and turned around and headed for the downstairs bathroom.
“Okay,” Zona said, and started to follow her.
“I can manage on my own,” Louise said firmly.
Her mother had one leg that looked like an ironing board. How was she going to manage? But, “Okay.”
Louise limped off down the hall. Thank God that bathroom had a walk-in shower in it. A tub was going to be out of the question for a long time.
Bree was back down with the nightgown and found Zona hovering in the hall. “Where’s Gram?” she asked.
“In the bathroom,” Zona said.
Bree nodded and moved on to the bedroom.
A moment later, Louise called, “Zona!”
Zona hurried into the bathroom and found her mother struggling to get up again. “This is really inconvenient,” Louise said between gritted teeth.
“At least you can move,” Zona said, trying to help her look on the bright side. “Imagine how miserable you’d be if you’d broken both legs.”
“I don’t want to. I’m already miserable enough,” Louise snapped.
“It won’t last forever,” Zona said, parroting what her mother had told her about her financial situation.
Ten minutes later Louise was settled in her bed, a glass of water on her nightstand, and Zona and Bree were back in the living room.
