Page 80 of Road Trip
“Actually, if you could just come straight here, that would be best. I had a little accident a bit ago and I’m afraid I might need to go to the doctor.”
“What the fuck, Gran! Why didn’t you call me?” I heard her grunt in pain as I grabbed for my keys and purse and flew out the door.
“Language, Abra Monet! I misjudged the step off the back porch and I’m afraid I may have broken my arm.”
Holy fucking hell in a handbasket! My almost seventy-year-old Gran could not afford to have a fall like that. She was in great shape and really active, but old bones are old bones.
“I’ll be there in less than ten.” I texted Jilly from the road to tell her what had happened and ran a couple of red lights on my way there. Gran and Mom lived only a couple of miles from me in the Cherryland area of Hayward. It was a quirky little neighborhood of storybook homes, creepy places with rusted-out cars parked under lurking trees, and also the glorious Meek Mansion, which was the most beautiful piece of architecture I’d ever seen. Gran’s house was a few blocks from the mansion and park, and when I lived with them, I used to walk there and sit outside, making up stories about the people who lived there long ago. I would wish I lived a different life for reasons just like this.
I parked next to Gran’s old Suburban and ran up the driveway. “Gran,” I shouted as I burst in the front door.
Mom was sitting in her rocking chair by the front window, her usual place when she was having an episode. I walked to her and kissed her forehead, getting only an eyelash flutter in return.
“I’m back here, darling.” I found Gran at the kitchen table with an ice pack on her forearm and wrist. Her eyes were red from crying and she had a scrape on her temple. Her long, silver hair was falling out of her bun and there were wisps everywhere. Her pants were torn at the knee and I could see some blood.
“Oh, Gran, let me see.”
She lifted the ice pack from her bony arm, and I could see the swelling immediately.
“You really did a number on yourself. We need to get you to the hospital.”
She took a deep breath and nodded. “I know. It only happened a few moments before you called. I was hoping I could deal with it on my own. Can you get your mother ready to go?”
“Of course I can, but I really wish you wouldn’t try to do everything yourself.” I kissed her forehead, and she whimpered a little.
“I’m calling an ambulance, Gran. This is serious.”
“I’ll be fine. I don’t want to ride in one of those deathtraps. I’d rather you take me, darling.” Always trying to make things easier on me.
“Shit, Gran. I’ll hurry.”
Getting Mom ready to go someplace when she was in this state took some prodding. I had to get her shoes on her and wrap her in a shawl. We didn’t leave her alone because there was no telling what shape we’d find her in when we returned. One time she freaked the fuck out because she became lucid and there was no one there. We found her curled up under her bed and had to fight to get her out. She was fairly easy to get moving this time. I walked her out to the Suburban and loaded her into the backseat.
“I’m getting Gran, Mom. She needs to go to the hospital.”
She turned and looked at me and smiled. “Abra! You look beautiful today. Where are we going?”
I took a deep breath, knowing this would not be a pleasant conversation. “Mom, Gran fell, did you know that? We need to take her to the hospital. I think her arm is broken.”
She blinked at me and then frowned. “She didn’t fall. She’s just doing dishes.”
“Mom. She fell and she needs the hospital. You need to come with us. I’ll grab the iPad for you so you can watch a movie.”
She started to climb down from the car, but I put my hands out to stop her.
“Mom! I have to take her and you have to come with me, now stay put.”
She must have heard the severity in my voice because she cringed a little and then sat back in her seat.
I pulled the seat belt across her. “Wait here.”
She stared at me blankly. I closed the door and prayed she wouldn’t try to get out.
Back in the house, Gran had already pulled out the keys and she handed them to me. I walked her out to the car, holding back tears at how much she was limping. I tried to ignore the fact that she was growing more fragile for several reasons. First and most important, she was my rock, and I loved her dearly. Second, she was Mom’s rock, and without her, the weight of that fucking boulder would land square on me. I’d have to make some pretty fucked up decisions that no woman wants to make for her own mother.
I drove to Eden Hospital in Castro Valley and was grateful they had orderlies outside to help. They loaded Gran into a wheelchair and asked if I needed one for Mom. I told them she would be fine. Once inside, I took care of all the paperwork and they took Gran back. I got Mom settled with her iPad and reminded her how to start a movie.
“Oh, yes. I want to watchThe Princess Brideagain.”
