Rhys
Family home evening (FHE) [fam-uh-lee / hohm / eev-ning] n—A program that gives groups of students an excuse to gather for social activities
Monday night after working an eight-hour shift, I kick my shoes off and sink into bed. Emmy should be getting home from FHE soon. I want to call her, but I need to call my sister before she goes to bed. It rings several times before she answers.
“To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?” Cami says.
I laugh. “It hasn’t been that long since we last talked.”
“No. But it’s been a long time since you’ve called me.”
As sad as that is, it’s probably true.
“What’s up, big brother?”
Instead of answering right away, I let out a breath. I should be able to handle this without having to ask for help, but Mom needs assistance, and Emmy wants me to go home with her, and there’s no way I can do both—not without Cami. “I need help with Mom.”
“Is everything, okay? Is she getting worse? What’s going on?”
“Mom’s fine, Cam. She’s had a few setbacks, but she’s all right.”
“Be honest. How bad is she?”
Telling Cami the truth about Mom is not something I want to do, but she should know. “She’s relapsing,” I admit. “But she’s been taking her meds again for about a month now, and she’s able to get around with a wheelchair, and most of the feeling is back in her hands and feet.”
“Do you need me to come home? Is that why you called? I can move there—”
“No.” I cut her off. This is exactly why I didn’t tell her about Mom sooner. I do need Cami’s help, but I don’t need her to move home. I’m the man of the family; it’s my job to make sure Mom is taken care of, not Cami’s. “I’ve been invited to go to California over Thanksgiving, but Mom needs someone to be nearby 24/7 in case—”
“I’ll come. When do you want me?”
“It’s a holiday. Do you need to ask for time off?”
“I’ll figure it out. You shouldn’t have to take care of Mom on your own.”
“And you shouldn’t have to drop everything to care for her either.”
Neither of us says it, but I know we’re both thinking it. Mom doesn’t need me or Cami; she needs Dad. Not the guy who walked out on us but the guy who vowed to stay by her side in sickness and in health. But he’s not here, and luckily he’s never coming back.
“Is it time we consider assisted living homes?”
“No,” I say, my voice sharp. “I’m not giving up on her.”
A moment passes before Cami says, “It wouldn’t be giving up on her. It would be giving her more.”
I snort. “You sound like an adoption commercial.”
She laughs, though I wasn’t trying to be funny. I can’t remember the last time I heard her laugh like that. The last time I laughed like that.
“I can’t abandon her, Cam.” That would make me like Dad. And I’m not like him. Never have been. Never will be.
“At some point, you may have to. She may need more help than you can give her.” I hear what she’s saying, but I don’t accept it.
As if she can sense my growing frustration, she changes the subject. “So what inspired a road trip to California?”
A smile replaces my scowl. “I have a girl, Cam. And she’s asked me to go home with her to California and meet her parents.”
“What? A girlfriend? When did this happen?”
“We met at the beginning of the semester.”
“And you’re already meeting her family? That’s fast. You haven’t converted, have you?”
“Not even close. Things just move quickly in Provo.”
“Sounds like it. What’s she like?”
“Amazing.”
Cami giggles. “You’re in so much trouble.”
“Shut up.”
“Do I get to meet her when I come to Utah?”
“Of course.”
“I’m happy for you, Rhys. Really.”
“Thanks.”
“All right.” Cami yawns. “I’ve gotta get to bed. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
We hang up, and I sit smiling at my phone for a second. For once, things are looking up.
“Girlfriend, huh?”
Startled, the phone pops out of my hands, and I fumble to catch it before it falls to the floor. “How long have you been eavesdropping, brother?”
Supe walks into the room and sets his backpack down on his desk. “Long enough to know that things went well on your date.”
“So well.” I set my phone on my night stand. “I’m going to meet her family over Thanksgiving.”
Sup looks up. “That’s a big step.”
“Your point?”
“Is that a good idea?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? She asked me to come home with her, knowing where I stand with the Church stuff.”
Supe sits at his desk and unlaces his shoes, then tosses them into his closet. “And she’s okay with you not being a member?”
“I’m not sure I’d say she’s okay with it, but we’re figuring it out.”
“Figuring it out, how? Are you taking the missionary lessons? Going to go to church?”
“No.” I stare at him hard. “I don’t see how this is any of your business.”
“You’re my friend. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Kinda late for that.”
“You’re meeting her family, Rhys. It’s serious for her.”
“And it isn’t for me?”
“I didn’t say that. Marriage is kind of a big deal for us, if you hadn’t noticed.”
“I have noticed, but just because I’m not Mormon doesn’t mean I can’t commit to forever. It just means I don’t need a fancy building to do it in. I appreciate your concern. But we’re going to be fine.”