Page 58 of Wish You Faith

“We will work out a plan to sync it.” Roger didn’t go into details. “I have to go to another meeting now, but I will explain more tomorrow if we can meet at ten o’clock in the morning in my office.”

“Yes, of course. Mom’s free in the morning.” Rosie knew Mom’s schedule by heart. She didn’t bother asking Roger how long the meeting would last. It would be close to lunch, and she’d take Mom out to lunch after the meeting. That meant she’d take half a day off of work. Her many overtime days since October were paying off now.

Since it would be Tuesday, she might as well leave Mom there at SSLR after lunch for her activities.

“Thank you, Roger. Please say hello to Cheyenne and Priyanka for me.”

“Will do. Have a good evening.”

Rosie replied in kind, said goodbye, and then called Mom.

Mom was baking Christmas cookies with Dottie and Marcella. That meant they were baking batches and batches of cookies. Dottie and Marcella both had grandchildren.

“What did you say?” Mom asked.

“Mom, are you wearing your hearing aid?” Rosie asked.

“Of course I am, sweetie. But I can’t hear you with my loud friends here talking near me. Let me go stand outside. One sec.”

“No rush. Take your time.” Rosie waited. She heard the porch door close. “Is it cold outside? Are you wearing a cardigan?”

“I’m fine. It’s sunny out. Now what was it you wanted to tell me?”

Rosie told her. “You have a full scholarship, but you’re still on the waiting list for an apartment at SSLR.”

“But I got one foot in the door?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good, but…” Mom’s voice trailed off. “I’m going to miss this house.”

“Unless someone dies at the SSLR main buildings or they buy and renovate the apartment complex across the street, you won’t move up the waiting list.”

“So we’ll still live in this house until then.”

“Exactly. Since it’s a full scholarship, we don’t have to sell our house.” Rosie knew Mom didn’t want to pack up forty years of memories.

“When a place is available, do we move the whole house?”

“Maybe not. We’ll just move what we need to take, like your bed and your favorite armchair. Your clothes and your coffee maker.”

“Right. We can’t forget my French press.” Then Mom went all quiet. “Will you go with me?”

“If they let me.”

“You’re my caregiver. They have to let you, or I won’t go.”

“Write down all the questions you have and the timeline of the process, and we’ll ask Roger tomorrow, okay?” Rosie assured her that God would work it out.

“Are you going to work first tomorrow morning and then come back to get me?” Mom asked.

“We’ll just leave directly from the house. I’ll take a half day off.”

“You know Tuesday is the day that I go to SSLR in the afternoon anyway.”

“I know, Mom. You told me you’re joining a new club. Poker or something,” Rosie joked.

“No, no. It’s mahjong. I’m learning to play a new board game.”

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