Falling Fast

“I will,” I reply as he walks over to the door, opening it for us to leave.

Going back to everyone, Rose tells us that Kirk left to open the bar so I tell Nina and Rose what the doctor said then listen to them tell me that they have to agree with him about his suggestion. Even though I hate it, I still understand why it needs to be done. It’s no longer safe for her to be home, even with someone there with her. I can’t watch her every second of the day, and just like a little kid, she needs round-the-clock supervision from people who understand her disease.

“I’m going to take Gia over there to check the place out,” Colton tells them. “That way she can see for herself whether or not she thinks it’s a fit.”

“That’s a good idea,” Rose agrees.

“After Grandma wakes up, we’ll go,” I say, taking a seat in the chair I vacated earlier. “I won’t feel okay about leaving her until I see her open her eyes.”

“That’s understandable, honey,” Rose agrees softly then she looks at her son and I feel my spine stiffen when she asks Colton, “Did you ever get around to cleaning out your spare room?”

“Yeah,” he answers, taking a seat next to me.

“Can Gia stay there while she gets things sorted out?”

“Absolutely.”

Uh… what?

“That’s not necessary. I’m sure I can find a hotel or something.”

“You’re not staying in a hotel.” Nina waves that comment away like it’s a fool’s idea. “I would offer you our spare room, but we don’t have one since Ned and I sleep in separate rooms.”

That’s interesting to know.

“And I would offer you one of ours, but the boys and the grandkids come up all the time, so there isn’t really space. Colton’s place is nice, and his spare room has it’s own bathroom, so you’ll have some privacy,” Rose says, and I wonder if her and Nina talked about this while we were gone.

“I don—”

“Genevria,” Nina whispers, cutting me off before I can give them a list of reasons why this is the worst idea in the history of the world.

Spinning my head around, I see Grandma’s eyes opening up and I stand. Leaning over her, I rest my hand against her cheek. “Grandma,” I say, and she blinks up at me with confusion in her eyes then tries to sit up. Resting my hand against her stomach, I keep her in place. “It’s okay. You’re safe. Don’t move.”

“I’m going to go let the nurse know she’s awake,” Nina tells us.

I don’t lift my head to look at her; I just keep my eyes on Grandma, trying to keep her calm. “What…” she starts, but doesn’t continue. She blinks again.

“It’s okay. You fell and hit your head. We’re in the hospital, but you’re okay,” I tell her gently, but she doesn’t react. She just stares up at me, which make the worry I’m already feeling, escalate.

“Let me have a look at her, honey,” I hear an unfamiliar voice say, and I look up, seeing a nurse on the other side of the bed. Standing back, I feel Colton get close as I watch the nurse talk to Grandma, who doesn’t answer. She still seems lost and confused. The nurse helps her sit up then checks all her vitals again. “She’s okay. I’m going to let the doctor know that she’s awake.” The nurse tells me, “I’ll also bring some water for her to sip on my way back.”

“Thanks.” I get close to Grandma once more. “Grandma?” I call, and her eyes come to me, but it’s like looking at a photograph. There’s nothing there. “I love you,” I whisper, and she blinks. “It will be okay,” I lie to her and myself, because if I don’t, I know I will break down.

~**~

“It’s a nice place,” Colton says, and I pull my eyes off the window to look at his profile. He’s right; the Morning Point Nursing Home is a nice facility, beautiful actually. The huge cream-colored brick building sat at the base of the mountain surrounded by trees with a view of the lake out front. The interior wasn’t sad and depressing either. It looked like a home with a sitting area that had a large TV over a fireplace, big, oversized couches for people to lounge on, and two long tables behind that, where people were gathered doing an arts and crafts project, something the director told me happens twice a week.

The rooms were also nice, soft yellow walls with hanging art, and big open windows with views of either the lake or the forest behind. There was also a covered outdoor area for the residents to use whenever they liked. But even with all of that, it still wasn’t home. I just had to keep reminding myself that we no longer had a home to go to.