“You look smokin’, baby. But Imogen has ulterior motives.” He motions for Imogen to carry on with whatever she has to say.
She looks over her shoulder and gives him a scathing glare.
“What is going on here?”
“Well, so… um… my sister, Morgan, is a bit of an artist, and she has a big gallery spot that her professor sets up for all his students, but kids can’t go. As you know, Paisley hasn’t been feeling great, and Saige and Aiden planned a quick getaway. Cory’s parents happen to be coming that night to look for a place in the area and…”
I look at Kane, and he’s waving his hands behind her, mouthing no while shaking his head.
“Are you asking us to babysit Jalen?”
She looks over her shoulder at Kane and back at me. “And Annabelle.” She puts her hands in front of her in prayer pose. “I promise I’ll have everything ready to go, and Jalen is sleeping like a dream. Annabelle loves Kane. We won’t be far. If something happens, we could come right back. It’s just, I don’t trust anyone else really.”
I lean back in my chair. “I’m not sure if I should be offended you asked me last or not.”
“It wasn’t that. I just didn’t want to bother you. I figure you and Kane have a lot on your plate, especially with the team so close to playoffs. I wouldn’t even ask, but Morgan is so excited, and she’ll be heartbroken if we all can’t be there.”
“I’d be happy to do it.” I look at Kane, who rolls his eyes. “We’ll be happy to help. When is it?”
“Next week. Thursday night.”
I grab my phone and enter it in my calendar. “Done. Are we doing this at your house or Ford’s?”
“Ford’s. Only because I’ll bring the Pack ’n Play over there for Jalen, and Annabelle is used to sleeping in her crib.” She stands with a huge smile. “Thank you so much, Jana!” She comes around and hugs me tightly. Then she walks toward the door. “Kane.” Her tone is full of annoyance, then she leaves my office.
The minute the door shuts, Kane says, “What are you thinking?”
“We’re doing our friends a favor.”
After all, just because we don’t want kids, that doesn’t necessarily mean we can’t be the fun aunt and uncle, right?
“Mom’s in the hospital,” Lee says the second I finish saying hello.
I lean back in the couch and scratch my beard. “How about a hey, how are ya before you slam me with that news? And why am I finding out from you? Aunt Sarah should be calling me.” I mute the game tape.
“Because I’m off-season and your team is heading into finals.”
“Oh, that’s right, you couldn’t make it to the Super Bowl.”
He groans. I wish hearing my mom was in the hospital caused more of a panic for me, but the truth is, she’s been in and out of our lives ever since my dad died. She’ll periodically go off her meds and refuse to go see her therapist. It’s a vicious cycle.
It scared the crap out of me when I was younger, but it’s been so many years of the same thing over and over that I think I’m numb to the news.
“I’m flying up to see her, then I’m coming to you. Figure I’m gonna stay in Florida until you win the Cup.”
“Don’t go putting that kind of pressure on me,” I tell him. “You’re gonna jinx it.”
“You fucking hockey players and your superstitions.” I can practically see him shaking his head at me.
“Football players have them too. Every athlete does, whether they admit it or not.” I get up and grab a beer from the fridge. “I should probably go see her. We have two days off.”
“It’s up to you. I understand if you don’t want to. Maybe you want to invite Jana up?”
Hmm… I’m not sure about that. Jana seeing where I grew up and how fucked up my family is? No thanks. Especially now that I’ve seen where she grew up.
“What did the doctor say?” I figure the severity will dictate what I need to do.
“Aunt Sarah said the doctor wants her back on her meds and he’d like her to go through therapy. She’s in the psych ward on a seventy-two-hour hold before she’ll be released. The usual.”
“Will they let us see her?” I take a pull off my beer.
“I’m not sure.”
I’m torn. I feel as though I should go see her, but I spent much of my youth visiting her in the hospital. It wouldn’t kill Lee to take the lead on this one. I love my mom and I want to help her, but I realized a long time ago that there’s actually not much I can do for her besides make sure she has access to the doctors and treatment options she needs. As heartbreaking as that is.
I’m in the middle of getting my team to the finals and winning the Cup. I have responsibilities here I can’t shuck off. “Yeah, I’m not going.”
“Cool. I’ll go represent, but then I’m coming to you.”
“Awesome. Give Mom my best. I’ll call her once she’s out.”
I say goodbye to my brother and sit back on my couch, drinking my beer and staring at the picture that’s frozen on my television. I fidget, unable to get situated, and decide that instead of watching tape, I’m going for a walk.
I whistle for Rocky. “Come on, boy.”
He barrels over to me, picks up his ball, and breezes through the French doors. Outside, I wave to Emma and Sam enjoying an early dinner on their deck, then throw the ball for Rocky, restless in my own skin.
I always get this way when it comes to my mom. The feeling that I should be doing more is pervasive, but I know from experience that I can’t let it overtake my entire life.
By the time Rocky and I make it back to my place, my mind isn’t any more settled, but warmth spreads through my chest when I spot Jana sitting on the sand behind my house, staring out at the water. Rocky ignores his ball and runs over to her, so rambunctious Jana ends up on her back while he licks her face. My dog has excellent taste.
“Hey, I wasn’t expecting you,” I say, lying down next to her and staring at the sky.
“Is it a problem that I’m here?”
I link my hands with hers on the sand. “Never. You’re welcome anytime.”
She turns to me and gives me a sweet smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. Something’s going on. Although it doesn’t look like she was crying, she looks as though she’s on the brink.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She sits up and crosses her legs, allowing the sand to slip through her fingers.
I sit up beside her. “Try again.”
“The doctor called with my blood test results.” She continues letting the sand stream through her fingers.
Rocky brings his ball over to her and drops it where she’s playing. She picks it up and throws it in the water, and he rushes off.
“And?”
“She’s changing my pills.”
“That’s good, right?”
She nods.
“But?”
“Something else showed up in my bloodwork.” She swallows. “Nothing bad, so don’t worry.”
“But it upset you.” My chest tightens, making it hard to breathe.