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From the greenhouse room, I can see the sky turn that shade of pale violet you only see in the winter. The sun will be setting any minute now. I’ve got to get home or I’ll be late fixing dinner.
So much for turning into Supermom who can take care of the cooking, cleaning, and child-rearing. I didn’t even last a full day.
Grandma Lucy and I have finished our snacks. She’s sipping her tea, rocking slowly back and forth, back and forth, like I’ll be here all night and well into the morning. People like that make me uncomfortable, people who don’t realize some folks follow something called a schedule.
I don’t feel any better after telling Grandma Lucy about Natalie, and I wonder why I bothered to come at all. The urge that tugged me so strongly here now feels immature and irresponsible. Patricia’s sick. Jake’s not used to suctioning out the baby. Natalie was due for a tube-feed an hour and a half ago, and if Patricia didn’t drag herself out of bed, we’ll have to make it up sometime tonight when we all should be sleeping.
I set my flowered plate on the arm of the hideous loveseat. “Thank you so much for the tea,” I say. “Everything was delicious.”
Grandma Lucy doesn’t respond. I’m not even sure she can hear me.
I make a move like I’m about to stand. “I better get going. It’s close to dinner time.”
No response. Great. The old woman’s having a stroke. My plan is to go find Calico Lady to let her know something’s wrong, but before I can sneak past her, Grandma Lucy reaches for my hand.
“Your daughter will live.” She’s speaking the words so softly I’m only half sure I heard right.
“What did you say?”
“Natalie will live.” She’s got such conviction in her voice. Such finality. Like a judge handing down a sentence.
How do you know? That’s what I want to ask, but for some reason I can’t form the words. I should demand more information. Make her tell me exactly what she means and how she can be so certain, but something stops me.
Because in the core of my being — that place deep within my soul where if I venture too long I might lose myself forever — I know Grandma Lucy is right.