Page 106 of One Sweet Day I Found You

Twenty-Six

“Here you are, Victoria. No added salt.” Courtney watched as Josie Schlagel set a tray with a small bowl of homemade tomato soup, a stack of unsalted crackers, and an icy glass of lemonade with a straw in front of Victoria.

The forty-four-year-old housekeeper and caretaker, a hardworking, easygoing woman, flipped back her neatly bobbed hair and returned to the kitchen. She soon returned to the living room with two more glasses of lemonade and set them on coasters on the wide coffee table.

“Thank you, Josie.” Courtney took a long sip from hers.

“Yes, thank you, dear,” said Victoria.

Josie was pleasant. “You bet.” She started back about her business, disinfecting surfaces and dusting furniture, chatting and laughing with Courtney and Victoria as she went.

Victoria sat propped up in a reclining chair in her spacious—yet comfortable—living space. The long white drapes over the windows were pulled wide, and the four o’clock sun was shining generously into the room. She had a view of the television, which was switched off at the moment, her books on a table at her side. The air conditioning was running so a light blanket had been placed over her legs.

Courtney had just finished folding a load of Victoria’s laundry and had changed the sheets on the old woman’s bed. She settled into a chair and sat back for a little rest. Ahead of schedule this morning, she’d finished her latest story and had the afternoon free. She’d stopped over for a visit with Victoria and to offer whatever help she could, which Josie very much appreciated.

Nick was coming over after work today. He had an earlier shift, so he offered to order a pizza for dinner at Courtney’s place. But first, they planned to walk down to Victoria’s beach and watch the sunset from a picnic blanket on the sand. Courtney smiled. Things were stronger than ever between them. They hadn’t missed a beat since the night of Victoria’s accident.

Courtney checked the time on her phone. She wasn’t expecting him for about another hour. She’d head home in a little while.

Victoria had been napping in the living room much of the afternoon, but she was awake now, and she enjoyed having Courtney come over.

Victoria had been released from the hospital after just two days and had been recovering at home for the better part of the week. One side of her face was presenting with incredible bruising, as were her knee, hip, and elbow. She assured Courtney that she’d started bruising more easily with age and that it was nothing to concern herself over, despite the incredible discoloration.

The MRI results had also come back, confirming the stroke and determining that she’d only suffered a mild concussion from the fall. But she wasn’t walking around much, and she couldn’t do much for herself. Her primary care doctor was also still adjusting the dose of her new blood pressure medications, and in the meantime, Victoria was sleepier than usual. The doctor had also ordered a lower-sodium diet.

Victoria still wore the sling and cast on her broken left arm. She needed help getting around, and Courtney and Josie were both happy to assist. But the woman had no problem maintaining a positive outlook on life. She was still her old self, with an extra hint of gratefulness and an even larger measure of tolerance.

“You don’t get to be this old and not appreciate a lucky break, I’ll tell you that,” she said, referring to the mini-stroke. “Someone up there’s got my back!” She raised her eyes to the heavens.

Courtney agreed, smiling.

“You can say that again,” Josie chimed in.

Ash trotted over, and Courtney saw one of his plush toys lying under a chair near her feet. She picked it up and threw it for him. Ash ran and grabbed it then brought it back. “He fetched, Victoria! Just like you said he would!”

Victoria laughed. “See, I told you! What a good boy you are, Ash.”

Ash dropped the toy at Courtney’s feet and retreated to the windowsill while the women went on chatting. Victoria shared another funny story about something one of the nurses at the hospital had done, and Josie laughed and relayed some funny moments from her own week.

Courtney was enjoying helping out and spending a bit of time there almost every day. She counted herself lucky to be a part of Victoria’s life.

A home care nurse would start coming daily, soon, to take the load off of Josie. She would continue on even after Victoria recovered completely, so that the woman would have someone to check on her and assist her everyday.

With two other clients, Josie could still only manage to come to Victoria’s two days per week to clean and cook. It was for the best; Victoria had agreed. She didn’t want to be a burden or go through that sort of thing again, and her health insurance plan covered home care in a case like this, anyway.

A few more minutes went by and the doorbell rang. “Are you expecting anyone?” Courtney asked.

Victoria arched a brow. “I don’t think so.” She looked at Josie, whose hands were full of cleaning products.

“Not that I know of?” She set down the rag and spray bottles to answer the door.

Courtney hopped out of her chair. “Oh, no, I’ll get it, Josie.”

Josie gave her a grateful look and hurried off to the kitchen.

Courtney shuffled out to the entryway and pulled open the heavy door.

Four strangers stood in front of her: a well-dressed older woman, probably in her early sixties, with honey-brown hair stylishly swept off of her face; an older gentleman, who appeared to be her husband, also well dressed, tall, and handsome, probably in his early sixties. Behind them stood a young and neatly attired couple in the latest summer fashions. Courtney had no idea who they could be. “Well, hello.” She offered a courteous grin. “May I help you?”

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