Better Late Than Never by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Author:Kimberla Lawson Roby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: None
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2018-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

“Mom, can you believe Daddy?” Charlotte said, taking a bite of her scrambled eggs. She and Noreen had just sat down in the hospital cafeteria for breakfast, and Charlotte was still upset about what her father had done.

“Not really, but then a part of me can. A lot of people decide to stop taking their medication, even though they really need it.”

“I don’t get it. Daddy could’ve had a massive stroke or the kind of heart attack that could’ve taken him out of here.”

Noreen drank some of her orange juice. “I know, but thank God he didn’t.”

Charlotte ate more of her food and looked around at staff members and other patients’ loved ones and friends.

“So how is Curtis’s sister doing?” Noreen asked.

“I don’t know. About the same, I guess.”

“You haven’t asked him?”

“I did last week.”

“Charlotte?”

“Yeah?”

“Why are you so upset about Curtis and his relationship with Trina?”

“I’m not upset about it at all. I just know he should be here with me. And for Daddy.”

“But you heard Dr. Simmons. Your daddy is doing fine.”

“Well, I can’t help how I feel, Mom. I’ve never been okay with Curtis putting anyone before me. Not when I really need him.”

“But you did hear what he said during service yesterday, right? Talking about how short life is. How precious and delicate it is.”

“I heard him.”

“Then you also know that very few things are worth being mad about. But more than that, you know how much Curtis loves you and how much he’s given you. And I’m not talking about the financial part of your marriage. That’s all great and wonderful, but I’m talking about the emotional and loving aspect. You and Curtis have been through a lot, sweetheart. But no matter how bad things got, he’s always been there for you. And you’ve always been there for him. But honey, this is different, and there’s no way he can be here for you and be there for his dying sister.”

Charlotte didn’t want to disrespect her mom, so she changed the subject. “So if Daddy is released on Wednesday, do you want to stay with us for a while? Maybe even just until the weekend?”

“Oh, so does that mean you don’t like what I’m saying?”

“I’d just rather not talk about Curtis right now. I’m sorry, Mom.”

“It’s fine. And to answer your question, we’ll see. Because if the doctor says that he’s strong enough to take a ninety-minute ride, then I’d rather go home. That way I can get him completely situated, do some grocery shopping, and begin cooking him three healthy meals every day.”

“Well, I’ll at least drive over with you so I can stay with Daddy while you go to the store and then help with anything else you need.”

“Yes, that will be good.”

Noreen and Charlotte talked and kept eating, but then Noreen set her fork down and asked Charlotte a question.

“Is something bothering you? Something you’re not telling me?”

“No, why do you ask?”

“Because when you came back to the hospital last night, you seemed different.

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