Page 6 of Jane
Now I get to work with the rest of my clients with a face looking worse for wear. It looks like I’m going to have to get a tow to a shop and get a loaner while I figure out what to do. I must have been deep in my head as I didn’t hear a motorcycle pull up behind me. Looking up, I see Ry walking up to my SUV.
“Car prob—what the fuck happened? Who did that to you?”
“My first patient of the day. She’s got dementia and thought I was stealing her boyfriend from the sixties from her. It looks worse than it feels. I’m fine. My Explorer died when I pulled up so I’m going to have to get a tow and take it to the shop.”
“Fuck that. We have a shop and I’ll get one of the guys to come tow it. Let’s get some ice on that before you start working with Pa. Ma is going to fret over ya something fierce, darlin’. Let’s get you inside.”
He ushers me up the walk toward the front door, opens it, and walks right in.
“Ma! Where are ya?”
“In the kitchen. Why are ya yellin’ in the house, son?”
“Ry, I’m fine really. I took some aspirin. I’ll be fine.”
“What’s going on? Sweetheart, what happened to you?” Ma comes scurrying over to me and lifts a hand toward my eye that I can feel is continuing to swell.
“Occupational hazard. My last client has dementia and lashed out today. Apparently, this weekend she did that to her son and daughter too. They found a placement for her in a memory care facility so it was my last day with her.”
“Well, that’s a much better reason than I was thinking of to be honest, but I know my boys will be upset when they see you. You get on in with Pa and I’ll bring you an ice pack and stuff to clean you up.”
Not understanding why her sons would be upset but understanding she’s not to be disobeyed, I head into their bedroom.
“Morning, Jonah. Before you freak out, yes, I’m okay.” I then rehash the story I just told twice.
“Ma getting you some ice?”
“Yes she is, but I was thinking our work today would be best done at the table. Why don’t we start by getting you up and into the dining room. I can show you the treats I brought for today once we’re in there. I thought today we would work on something that is fine motor related, like writing a letter. I know it is probably considered old-fashioned, but I’ve found it helps with fine motor skills as well as using memory at the same time. Do you remember the last time you wrote a letter to someone, Jonah?”
“Oh, sweetheart, this is a task I want to do again. Before this dang stroke, I was writing at least a letter a week to my son, Rory. I know I could just send him emails like the boys do, but I feel like the letters help him because he can read them whenever he wants.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize you had more sons. Is he far away?”
“Sweetheart, Ma saw to grant us with seven children that we got to call forever ours. You’ve got my three oldest being Jon, Juan, and Rory. Then you’ve got my two strong-willed girls Mads and Kierstie. Ry and the youngest, Max, round out the herd. Max is in law school out in Arizona but is in his last year. Then he’ll be moving home. The girls are here in the general area and I’m sure you’ll meet them sooner or later. My Rory should be home in less than three months. He’s almost done with his sentence and both me and his Ma can’t wait to get him home.”
“Well then, he sounds like the best person to get a letter from you. Let's get you up and going then, Jonah.”
“Oh, you brought me treats so I’m ready to head out there.”
I get his walker in front of him. I make sure to stay close in case he needs a helping hand. He turns and puts his sock covered feet down on the floor and grabs the walker without much difficulty. I can already tell that between our conversations and the little bit of movement I have seen from him, his stroke was milder than I originally thought. I think he won’t have a problem getting most of his abilities back.
Once he gets standing, he makes slow but steady progress to the living room and is almost to the dining room when both Ma and Ry come out of the kitchen.
“Pa! Are you okay? Shou—”
“Hush, son. I’m getting myself to that table so I can get my hands on some sweets, and this is the way back to riding. I won’t have you or your brothers get in my way. I’m still your pa and you would be good to remember that, son.”
Looking properly scolded, Ry moves out of the way and lets Pa slowly but steadily shuffle his feet as he uses his walker to get to the table. When he gets to the table, he stands there looking a little lost as to how to turn himself around to sit down in the chair. Realizing this is the first time he’s made it this far, I quickly reach around him, grab the chair, and place it behind him.
“Sit down, Jonah. You did great getting out here.”
I watch as he holds on tight to the walker that I have braced and sits down with a thump. Moving his walker out of the way, I grab his chair and move it around, then push him up to the table where I’ve got my supplies. I grab the chair next to him and look up. Ry has a look of disbelief on his face and Linnea has a smug look on her face.
“She confirm for you that she can do the job, son?”
“Fuck ya, Ma. That was impressive.”
Not sure what they’re talking about, I decide to ignore their comments and get to work getting out the things we need for today. When I look up, I notice it’s just Jonah and me again, and he has a smug look on his face.
