After several minutes, Sarah came back to the dinner table and sat, replacing her napkin in her lap.
“Who was it?” Carissa asked.
“That was DeeJae, Dr. Taylor’s nurse. She set up an appointment for a MRI on Friday, as well as a consult with Dr. Brock, the neurosurgeon there at the hospital, on Monday. I’m coming with you.”
“Mom, you don’t have to come. I’m eighteen. I’ll be fine.” But secretly Carissa was glad for her mother’s insistence. No matter how grown up she tried to be, a girl could still be comforted by her mother. A mom hug could turn anything into something hopeful.
“I’m coming, and that’s that.” Sarah picked up her spoon, putting an end to the discussion.
Carissa silently thanked God for the pushback. “Okay, Mom. If you must.”
The rest of dinner passed with more casual conversation about Jim’s day at work and Sarah’s hilarious picture hanging efforts in the living room. When everyone finished, Carissa took the soup bowls from the table to the sink and Jim cleared the table of everything else.
“Anybody up for a game of Monopoly?” Sarah asked. “Carissa’s the banker. Gotta practice that Algebra!”.
“Mom!”
“I’m in!” Jim replied.
They settled in for some good family competition, which usually resulted in Jim losing his good Christian values for a moment. Nothing too bad, but until you’ve heard your dad call your mom a slimy mashed potato face, have you really even played Monopoly? Carissa loved evenings like this.
“I’m the car!” Jim insisted, grabbing the car out of the box before anyone could protest. “And you’re all getting run over tonight!”
Carissa and Sarah both rolled their eyes at him and picked out their game pieces from what was left. The money was dealt out and the game began, Jim insisting on going first, as usual. Nobody minded. Carissa and Sarah both knew it was all in good fun, and Jim was the only one who really cared about the outcome of the game anyway. For Carissa, just spending time with her parents was what it was all about.
When Jim finally won, as he inevitably did, Sarah packed up the game.
“Well, I’m going to bed,” Carissa said as the last piece of the board game was stowed. “Early class in the morning. Goodnight!”
“Goodnight, Carissa,” Sarah replied, picking up the game box and putting it back on the closet shelf with the rest of the games. “And, if you want to talk about that ‘math’ problem, or any other problem, we’re here. You know that. Love you, kid!”
“I know, Mom. See you in the morning.” Carissa went off to take her meds and do her nighttime routine. When her chores were completed, she stretched out on her bed and fell fast asleep.