Barbara to the rescue

I must have dozed off again

and I wake

with Mum’s hand on my shoulder.

She’s standing beside a nurse.

I look at Grandpa,

he’s sleeping.

I whisper to Mum

that I’m not leaving,

not until morning

when he wakes

and I can tell him

that I have to go home.

I tell Mum

I’m not going to let Grandpa

wake up alone.

Mum looks at the nurse

who nods

and says

“It’s okay, I’ll keep an eye on them both.”

Mum leans down

and kisses me

and she says,

“I told Dad you were at Cleo’s.

I’ll say I let you stay there

for the night, okay?”

As Mum and the nurse leave the room

I realise

I may have to take back some of

my Dead Parent Wishes!