Page 16 of When the Leaves Fall

DREW

I think I’ve only seen my dad cry a few times in my life. When his mom passed. When the Packers lost the Super Bowl against the Broncos. And today.

I watch from outside as he tries his hardest not to touch Mom while the professionals work to bring her back.

There’s nothing I can do for him right now.

I can’t get into the house. There’s no room.

Honestly, he should come out here with me to make sure there’s plenty of room for the EMTs to do their job, but there’s no way he’s leaving her side.

He hasn’t left her side in thirty years. He isn’t going to start now.

D id I seriously just agree to a hookup with Luca? Am I ready for this? Fuck, when was the last time I shaved…anything? I need to run to the store ASAP.

“What’s got you smiling over there?” Dad eyes me curiously.

“What? Oh, umm. Just a funny text from a friend.”

“Which friend?” Mom chimes in on the conversation.

Dad adds, “You’ve been stuck to that phone since you came back up here this morning.”

“Just work stuff,” I say, not making eye contact. “Anyway, Dad, I think I’d like to stay at the hotel tonight. I could use a real shower.”

“Sure, hon. No problem,” he replies.

“I’ll head over this afternoon so I can hit up the store for some food and supplies, too. Is there anything you two want or need that I can grab and bring back tomorrow?”

M om’s physical and occupational therapists come into the room around 2:00 pm, and I use that as an excuse to head out. There isn’t a lot of extra space in the room, and they want to get her up and sitting in the chair. I give Mom and Dad both a hug and a kiss before heading to the parking garage.

I haven’t moved my car in a few days since Dad and I’ve been using his whenever we leave. I pull up to the parking ramp cashier and place my ticket in the machine. $48! Holy freaking moly. Staying here with Mom is really adding up on my credit card.

The store is only a few miles down the road.

I decide I need to grab some more snacks, shaving supplies, and a new outfit.

I want to look cute tonight, but also still be comfortable.

I don’t want it to seem like I’m trying too hard, but my luggage consists of the clothes I’d taken to New York on our mother/daughter trip.

I grab a few pairs of leggings and two new cozy, fallish shirts. Then I head over to the grocery aisles for some fruit, beef sticks, and protein bars. I also grab a tube of air-dry hair cream to help tame my Irish curls.

When I get to the hotel, I decide to nap first. Nap, then shower and shave. I make sure to set an alarm because the last thing I want is to oversleep and stand up Luca. Or be running so far behind, I forget to shave and go over there to hook up as hairy as Bigfoot.