Page 40 of Rival Hero

I grip the steering wheel and nod along, giving her bullshit answers while my heart saws itself in two.

Once I get her home, I convince her to lie down for a nap. More than likely, when she wakes up, she’ll be back to her old self.

I hope.

But one of these days, she won’t.

She’ll be gone forever.

These episodes are happening more often lately and for longer periods. Given her condition started when she was in her late fifties, the doctor said it might accelerate at a different pace than someone who gets it in their seventies or eighties. While we were initially terrified, I grew comfortable when she hit a plateau. For most of the last year, she’s seemed to be in a holding pattern. Or so I’ve told myself.

But now, I see her slipping from my grasp. Faster and faster, the rug is being pulled from under her.

I sit in the armchair in her room and watch her, reassuring myself that she’s okay. Lying to myself is more accurate.

While I wait for her to fall asleep, I text my sister an update, then fire off another to Tomer to let him know I’ll return to work in another hour or so.

After she falls asleep, I’ll go next door to see if Gloria is home. If so, I’ll ask her to come and sit with Ma until I get done with work. Or maybe she can invite her to her place for the rest of the day. And if she can’t, I’ll tell Boss I can’t come back.

My thoughts race as the implications pound me like cymbals crashing on both sides of my head.

I’ve officially run out of time.

I need to sell my condo and move in with her. No fucking clue what I’ll do when I need to leave for work. I’ll look into those daytime memory centers, but I don’t know if we can afford it. All chances of a social life are gone for a long time; not that it matters, though.

I’d give up the world for her. She’s sacrificed so much for my sister and me throughout her entire life without complaint. But this isn’t about a debt I owe her. It’s not her turn to collect.

This isn’t an obligation.

She’s my mother. I love her.

And she needs me.

Chapter9

Well, that escalated quickly

MIA

Having reached some type of tentative truce, Tomer and I fall into a groove of information sharing for the rest of the afternoon. He’s reserved and holding some things close to the vest, but I get it. I am too.

I still have some aces up my sleeve that I can pull if he shuts down again and needs me to prove myself worthy.

For now, we’re good.

The fact that Klein disappeared a few hours ago and hasn’t returned might have alleviated some of the tension. It’s certainly made me relax. Too bad it can’t always be like this.

As if he was summoned by my thoughts, Klein returns and plops down at his desk. His hair is tousled like he’s been running his fingers through it. Or maybe he drove with the windows open.

Not that it matters. His physical appearance is inconsequential. Likewise, where he ran off to means bupkis.

If I repeat that enough, there’s an icicle’s chance in hell I’ll believe it.

Tomer and I lock eyes, and he mashes his lips together before reluctantly asking, “Everything okay, man?”

I can’t hold back the internal eye roll at his tone. The words are compassionate, but his tone screams,please don’t answer because I was only asking to be polite.

Klein pauses, staring at the vacant space above his laptop screen, deep in thought. After a few seconds, he exhales and rolls his shoulders. “Yep. All good. What did I miss?”

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