The Whole Package

“You okay?” She starts to come my way.

“Yeah,” I sigh. “I’m all good.” I wave her off.

Another thing that needs to be fixed. It would be cheaper at this point if I got us a small apartment, but I could never ask her to leave the farm. She loves it here too much, and big changes stress her to the point of causing seizures.

I thought Mom not being around might set her off more, but she doesn’t seem to care. That makes two of us. If it wasn’t for the insurance my mom kept on Hazel from her job, I would have been more than happy with her up and leaving.

I need to look into seeing if I can hire a handyman for the day. There are just some tasks I don’t know how to do myself, and sometimes when I try to fix things I make them worse. Maybe I’ll put a flyer up on the board at work. I’d rather it be someone I know or someone who comes recommended from a trusted source. I don’t like random men coming around Hazel.

Another blessing since my mom’s been gone. I don’t have to put up with that crap anymore. I wonder how long she’ll stay gone. She’s taken off a few times before for a week or so, saying Hazel is too much to handle. It’s been a month now and I know she’s not at her old job because the insurance lapsed on Hazel. When I went to pick up Hazel’s medications and they told me the full price I almost fell over. There’s no way I can afford the pills without insurance.

I still don’t know how Mom couldn’t handle it around here. All she had to do was go to work at the nursing home in the next town over. The only thing she ever did for Hazel was cover insurance. I started working when I was fourteen and I’ve been paying most of the bills with the help of whatever aid I could get from the state. I was the one to apply for everything and send it all in. Now that money is gone, too, and we’re left with nothing.

I dust my hands off as I enter the house, trying not to focus on my mom. Hazel can always sense when I’m upset. I put the stuff on the kitchen counter and get out what I need to make dinner. I set everything on the counter because I know Hazel will want to help.

I go into my bedroom, get out of my work clothes and put on yoga pants and a T-shirt. I pull my hair into a ponytail and try to let all the stress go just for a little while.

When I enter the kitchen, I fish though my purse to find the card Shawn gave me. I play with the card for the millionth time and let it slide between my fingers. I stare down at the number that I’ve already memorized and somehow I’m still shocked that he gave it to me. Not as shocked as I was about how hot he was. And so incredibly sweet, too. I’d misjudged him twice before he even opened his mouth.

He had this whole bad boy look to him, with his hair a little long and tattoos peeking out from under the sleeves of his rolled up buttoned up shirt but then he fell out of his chair and I had to smother a laugh. Suddenly he wasn’t this mega CEO, he was just a nice guy who was a little clumsy. Then he opened his mouth and nothing about his words or actions were “bad boy.” He was sincere and kind when he spoke about the company and the plans he has for the future.

I know I need to call him, but I feel anxious about it. He could say no to what I’ll ask, and I don’t know if I can handle it. In fact, after seeing him today at the meeting, I know he’s going to say no. He seems like a really good person, but also by the book. I need him to put my sister on my insurance without all the paperwork to say I’m her guardian. It’s definitely breaking some major federal regulations, but I still have to try.

Hazel walks in a moment later with Hopper in her arms. That bunny won’t let anyone hold her but Hazel. Hopper cuddles contently in Hazel’s arms as she sits down at the kitchen table.

“If you’re going to help cook, you have to put the bunny away,” I tell her as I put the card back into my purse. I’ll call him later if it’s not too late by the time I get everything done. If not, I’ll just have to call him on my break tomorrow.