I should have done it in reverse because when I got to the end, I found the next items. They were her jeans and casual clothing. The jeans were neatly stacked, along with her yoga pants. Underneath them was a note with an arrow, pointing to the opposite wall. I think she was indicating the tops that were hanging up. I took a couple pair of yoga pants and two soft shirts. I found a duffle bag of Dad’s, so I put her pajamas, underwear, clothes, and all her toiletries inside. Then I grabbed some slippers I’d seen plus a couple of pairs of socks. What should’ve taken me minutes took me over an hour and a half.
Right before I drove off, I texted my sisters, telling them I was on the way. My phone rang as I was driving. Thinking it was them, I answered, “Didn’t you get my text?”
“No, I just pulled into the hospital parking lot and didn’t see your car. Are you okay?”
It was Evan and he made it back before me.
Forty-Three
Evan
My parents could not have been more understanding.
“How about taking some food over to the girls?” Mom asked.
“That’s kind of you, Mom. But I’m not sure any of them can eat with the way things are going.”
“I understand. How awful for them.”
We were eating dinner, and as wonderful as I’m sure it was, it all tasted like sawdust to me. The only thing on my mind was Sylvie.
“You seem to be very taken with this girl, Evan.” Mom smiled.
“The truth is I’m in love with her. You probably noticed that last night.”
Mom smiled. “I did but didn’t want to say anything in front of her. The way you doted on her was a giveaway. I’d never seen you like that with anyone before.”
“She’s perfect for me and I hope you like her.”
“Evan, we like anyone who makes you happy.”
Dad asked, “When will they find out what kind of tumor it is?”
“I don’t know. Grey couldn’t say because that’s not his area. But they’re running more tests and hope they can figure it out soon.”
“Well, I hope it’s the good kind.” Mom patted my hand.
“Same here, Mom.”
After we ate, Dad and I spent some time talking about my business. He was very interested in it as he’d worked on Wall Street before his retirement a couple of years ago. I suggested an early one because I wanted him and Mom to enjoy their time together vacationing and doing the things they loved. They would never have to be concerned about money because Dad invested well and if they ever needed anything, I would help. I also sent them anywhere they wanted to go. All they had to do was tell me, and the trip was set.
When I arrived back at the hospital, Sylvie’s car wasn’t anywhere around. I wondered what went wrong, so I called her, but she was just pulling in.
I was at her door as she shut the engine off. When she opened the door, I said, “Let me get the bags for you.”
She popped the hatch, and I grabbed them.
“Evan, you wouldn’t believe my mom’s room.” When she told me how long it took her and why, it was hard to believe her dad hadn’t found this upsetting.
“That’s what I thought, but then again, after I had time to think it over, he probably thought she was covering up her confusion of the dementia. And that makes total sense. If you could see all the clues she left herself, you’d get it. If he found those, he was probably convinced she had it.”
“Sylvie, I feel for him right now.”
“My heart is breaking for him. I want to do something, but I don’t know what. We haven’t even seen him yet.”
Putting both bags in one hand, I put my other arm around her, hugging her tightly against me. “Let’s go and see if he’s come out yet.”
The girls were waiting for us when we walked in. “Any news from Dad yet?”
“Nothing. We sent Pearson and Grey home. Grey said there’s nothing more he can do until the CT of her chest is done and read.”
“When will that be?”
“Later today,” Piper said.
We sat together and moments later, John came out. We all jumped up and ran to him. He put his arms around all three of the girls as they hugged each other.
He was the first one to speak. “Come on. Let’s sit. I need a break.”
We took him to our corner, the one we’d been occupying for most of the day, and he spilled his guts to us, amid tears.
“I feel just terrible thinking she was hiding memory loss from dementia. I thought she had early Alzheimer’s. A brain tumor never entered my mind.”
His eyes were red and swollen and he looked as bad as we all felt.
“Dad, it’s not your fault. We all should’ve picked up on those clues. I thought she might be depressed. Evan and I even talked about it,” Sylvie said.
Piper joined in saying, “I thought she was going through some sort of mid-life crisis, Daddy. Don’t blame yourself. That’s not fair.”
“Yes, you’re not to blame. If anything, us girls should’ve noticed. You see her every day. We don’t. We’re the ones who should’ve stepped in and done something.” Reynolds added. She was right. When you’re with someone every day, you don’t notice those things as they occur. It’s when you’re not that they seem more drastic.
I finally stepped in. “If I may, the important thing is now you do know and maybe it’s not the worst news and there may be help for her.”
“He’s right, Dad. Let’s focus on the positives for now. In the meantime, I brought both of you some clothes. I didn’t know if you wanted to stay with her or go home.” Sylvie pointed to the duffle bag and I carried it.
“It’s best if I stay because of her confused state. They’ve sedated her so she’s resting, finally.”
It was going on seven thirty when Grey, Pearson, Rose, Paige, and Rick came in. They were carrying boxes of food for everyone.
Paige said, “We brought you something to eat, since none of you got a chance to do that.”
Rick and John hugged, while Paige gave all of the girls one. “If you girls need anything from me, I’m only a phone call away.”
She took plates, forks, and napkins out of the boxes and then started passing around plastic containers filled with traditional holiday food. I declined since I’d eaten at my parents. Everyone else was grateful because they were hungrier than they thought.
Grey went back in to check on Cindy and to see if she’d had the CT scan yet. When he came back, he told us the news was good and that her lungs were clear.
“That’s encouraging, right?” I asked.
“Yes. But we won’t know the type of tumor until a biopsy is performed.”
“I can’t imagine someone going into my brain for a biopsy,” John said.
Grey explained about a procedure called stereotaxis and that it was performed when the surgeon used a CT scanner to assist him. According to Grey, it wasn’t that bad. They would have results in a few days, if that’s what they decided to do.
“How long will she be here?” Piper asked.
“If they do the biopsy tomorrow, then until the day after. They may decide to wait. In that case, she may go home tomorrow.”
While Grey spoke, I thought how not knowing was almost worse than knowing. But then, what would we do if the news was terrible? How would we think then?
“I’m sorry this has ruined your holiday. But let’s think positively,” Grey said.
“In all honesty, Grey, what did your friend really think,” Sylvie asked.
His eyes bored into hers. “Sylvie, doctors don’t like to speculate.”
That was pure bullshit. They dealt with survival rates and speculated all the time and by not giving her an answer, he basically had. His friend pretty much thought the worst.
She stared back at him and gave him a slight nod. And he knew she’d figured it out. Maybe it was best they’d deal with each other straight up. Sylvie didn’t seem the type to dance around an issue. But dealing with her mother’s tumor may be an entirely di
fferent matter.
Forty-Four
Evan
The biopsy was scheduled for tomorrow. From there, a treatment plan would be set.
“How do you feel about things today?” I asked Sylvie. We were lying in bed, having just woken up.
“Like my mom has a brain tumor and my dad is dealing with a crazy person who can’t comprehend what’s going on.”
“Yeah, that scene yesterday was awful.”
When the sedative had worn off, Cindy had demanded an explanation and then insisted nothing was wrong. John explained about the brain tumor, to which she had said it was complete nonsense. We called Grey in, hoping that would help. She didn’t believe him either and said we were conspiring against her to lock her away in an insane asylum.
Sylvie asked the doctor if this was normal. He said it was normal for personality changes, but this was highly unusual, which made him believe her tumor should be removed as quickly as possible.
The doctor kept her on a mild sedative because that controlled her crazy—as bad as that term sounded—symptoms. Once he was satisfied it worked, he released her to return the next day.
“At least the medication is working until they can get some answers with the biopsy,” I said.
“Evan, it freaks me out about that. What if she won’t be around to see our little nubbin?”
“Hey, hey, hey.” I pulled her on top of me. “Don’t even think that way. We’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“How? I’m so scared.”
“I know, baby, I know. So am I, but I don’t care if we have to take her somewhere else, we’re going to find the best doctor in the world for whatever it is she has and get her the best treatment available.”
“My dad has financial resources, but not those kind.”
“Maybe not, but I do.”
“He’d never let you do anything like that.”
“He won’t have a choice, and neither will you. This is your mother’s life we’re talking about.”
She’d been playing with the hair around my neck, but when I uttered those words, she shuddered and buried her face against my shoulder. I abhorred saying them but needed to get it across to her that there wasn’t time to waste.
“I’m sorry, babe, but she needs the best care possible. With Grey’s input, I think we can find it. And money is not an issue. Now I want you to do something for me.”
“What is it?”
“Nothing bad. Just stand up.”
She got out of bed, so I walked around to her side. Then I got up on the bed and extended my hand to her.
“What are you doing?” she asked suspiciously.
“Come on. Get up here.”
She offered me a crooked grin. “Is this what I think it is?”
“That depends. Now get up here with me.”
She climbed up on the bed and I took both her hands in mine. “Now jump!”
I hopped up and down until she joined in. At first, she didn’t have quite the response I’d hoped for. But then all of a sudden, a huge guffaw burst out of her and she went nuts. We jumped and jumped, until we were out of breath.
“Look, Sylvie. My head almost touches the ceiling.”
“I can touch it with my hand.”
“I can touch with both.”
“Show off.”
We had these little contests going when suddenly, a huge crack sent us both to our asses as the bed frame broke.
She gawked at me for a second and said, “Oh, my God! We broke the bed.” Then she howled again. “I hope this can be fixed. It was my grandma’s bed and Mom will be furious if she finds out.”
“Let’s see how bad it is.”
We got off and one of the side rails had completely splintered apart.
“Holy shit, Evan. Look what we did.” She covered her mouth and tried not to laugh.
“Pretty damn impressive if I say so myself.”
“Do you think it can be fixed?” A giggle eked out of her.
“Hell, yeah. Anything can be fixed for the right price. “I’ll make some calls and get someone on it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’m sure my mom knows of someone. She loves antiques.”
“This isn’t really an antique. It’s just an old family thing.”
“I think it’s a gorgeous bed. I can see our daughter having this in her room one day.”
Sylvie flew into my arms and kissed me. “Can you really?”
“Can’t you? Was this your bed growing up?”
“No, not until my grandma and gramps moved into an apartment and I was lucky enough to inherit it. I always told her when I was little that I loved her big bed. I used to spend the night with her and my gramps, and I’d make gramps sleep in a different bed so I could sleep with her. She’d read me all sorts of stories about handsome princes and knights in shining armor on big white horses. She’d make some up too. Those were always my favorites. Since I loved her bed so much, I think that’s why I was the one she gave it to. I was a teenager by then.”
“Sounds like you were her favorite.”
“I was the first and was five before Piper came along so yeah, I was definitely spoiled. I’ll never forget the day Mom told me she passed. I was getting my master’s and it nearly killed me. Gramps died a year before and I think she died of a broken heart. Her last year was so hard on her, she was never the same after he was gone. Our phone calls were sad because she was so devastated. I tried to cheer her up and would visit when I could, but I think her soul had already moved on, you know? It was like she was nothing but an empty shell.”
“I can understand that. She didn’t have anything to live for.”
“Yes! I would tell her to live for us because we loved her so much, but she said I wouldn’t understand until I found my special one. Now I know exactly how she felt. I don’t know how I’d do it without you.”
Sylvie stared at me with softened eyes. I felt like her grandma. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to Sylvie. Having her in my life had opened my heart up and had shown me things I’d never thought I’d see or feel. It was impossible to think of life any other way.
“Jesus, Sylvie. I know how your grandmother felt. I have no idea what I’d do without you either. In some ways, your dad is feeling that now.” I lifted her chin and drowned in her beautiful eyes. They reminded me of the foggy gray mist that rolled off the mountains in the morning. I sunk my fingers into her silky hair and brought my lips to hers. This wasn’t about sex, this was about the closeness we shared. I wanted to be sure she understood I would always be her person, like her grandfather was to her grandmother. We were already there and would stay that way forever. My lips touched hers for a moment before pulling her against me. If there was one thing I could do, it was hold and comfort her.
Forty-Five
Sylvie
The next morning, Evan and I met my two sisters and my parents at the hospital. Grey was there too, along with Uncle Rick and Aunt Paige. Mom was holding Dad’s hand and squeezing it so tight her knuckles were white. I sat next to her and hugged her. She lifted her head, but when her eyes met mine, they were glazed.
“Hey Mom. I’m here with you.”
“Hi, Sylvie. Dad said I’d be staying here tonight.”
I’d assumed she would, so I said, “I figured you would. I’ll be holding your hand when you wake up.”
“Am I going to sleep?”
Shit. I had no clue what Dad told her, so I shrugged and said, “Well, at some point, I imagine you’ll get tired.”
“I guess so.” Then she leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Why are Paige and Rick here?”
“I don’t know. Did you ask them?”
“No, I didn’t want to be rude.”
Damn, those tranquilizers were doing their job.
“I can pull them aside and ask nicely if you want.”
“No, that’s okay.”
About that time, a nurse opened the door and called mom�
��s name. Dad stood and helped her to her feet.
“Do you know what they want?” she asked.
“Honey, why don’t we go and find out.” Dad was handling this fine, but the lines around his eyes along with the purple half-moons beneath them told the truth. He was extremely worried. I pushed my fist to my mouth to prevent the sob that threatened to burst forth.
Aunt Paige started to say something, but I quickly grabbed her arm and shook my head. After they were gone, I explained.
“She had no idea why you were here.”
“Sylvie, this is just terrible.”
“I know. Dad is the one who’s really getting hit. Mom is so difficult to deal with if she’s not on those tranquilizers.”
“That’s what Gray said. Hopefully they can get some good news on the biopsy.”
“Waiting will be awful.” I couldn’t imagine how Dad would feel.
“Gray said two days.”
“Yeah, that’s what the doctor told Dad too.”
Evan had been talking with Gray but I noticed he slipped away and went back to where they had taken Mom. Evan came over to me and put his arm around me.
“How’re you holding up?” he asked.
“I’m fine. This will be a long two days, but I’m mostly worried about my dad.” He’d always been our rock to lean on. I was so thankful for Evan.
Aunt Paige touched my arm. “If you girls need anything, even if it’s a home cooked meal, come over. You know I cook every night. I could make extra plates for your parents too.”
One Indecent Night Page 24