• • • • •
I hold a puzzle in my hand as I walk through the nursing home. I figure Grandma can do something in here besides twiddle her fingers. The parade plan I had was a disaster.
I don’t see Susan at the nurse’s station. I am almost to my grandma’s room when I hear her voice behind me. “Hi, Charlie.”
I turn and smile. “Hi, Susan.”
“You probably know that Seth gets back tomorrow.”
The thought has barely let me think about anything else lately. I am so happy that my best friend comes back tomorrow. I nod.
“I know he’s been missing you. So I was wondering, Do you want to go pick him up at the airport with me in Butte tomorrow night? It’d be kind of like a surprise. He’d love it.”
My heart jumps at the idea. “Totally! Yes! I’d love to.” I backpedal because I came off as too excited. “Yeah, that would be cool.”
Susan smiles. “Great. Now shhh. Don’t tell him. Let’s make it a big surprise.”
I can’t wipe the smile off my face. I am going to surprise Seth tomorrow night. And then we’ll begin our summer adventures together.
Finally.
“One other thing,” she says. “I’ll let Dr. Book know you’re here. He wants to talk to you about Eloise.”
My forehead creases. “Something wrong?”
Susan walks toward me and in a hushed voice says, “She’s wet the bed twice this week. I think the doctor is planning on having her wear Depends.”
“Adult diapers,” I say.
Has it come to this?