Read Online Sound Advice (Sensations Collection #1) by L.B. Dunbar - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: L.B. Dunbar
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Nana and Grandpa moved into our home down state to allow me to finish high school in a place I was already familiar. Rosie was practically out the door by then, heading to college the same year I entered high school. Although my grandparents took our mother’s space, they did not take her place. When Rosie left for college, though, she never came back. Not even for summers. The surprise of her abandoning us was upsetting to Nana.
I, on the other hand, was a girl who had to have a plan. I didn’t live in the moment, but always thought ahead. I had to know where I was going and what I was doing before I could make a move. I never lived in the now . When I went away to college, Grandpa had passed, and Nana moved back Up North to their original home. I felt I no longer had a place in Michigan. My original home had been sold. My college education was paid. I didn’t return.
“This isn’t some covert mission, Rosie. I’m serious. Nana can’t be moved that easily. Look, I know you can’t help me. I understand, but you have to help me decide what to do.”
“I don’t have any answers, Em. You laid all the options out and none sound good, but one has to work. The only option you didn’t mention, and I hope it’s because you haven’t even considered it, is staying there.”
“Never,” was my immediate response. It was almost an impulsive reflex, but then I thought about it for a moment longer and Jess immediately came to my mind.
“This is stupid,” I said more to myself, but it came out my mouth, and Rosie heard me. “Never mind.”
“Look, I’ll let you go,” I added. “Give my love to the girls and Mark, and keep me posted on the baby. Three weeks and counting, right?”
“Right. Em, are you really okay? You know I’d be there if I could, but with three weeks until baby-day, there’s no way. I can’t fly on an airplane, let alone risk having the baby up there.”
I wanted to retort, It isn’t the Dark Ages . There is a clinic with a medical center in Traverse City, but I bit my tongue.
“Love you, Rosie.”
“Love you, too, Em.”
Unfortunately, the silence on the line signified how alone I felt.
I PULLED INTO Nana’s driveway sometime in the early Michigan morning before dawn. I’d made the six-hour drive in a little over five hours, fueled by caffeine. Nana’s front porch looked like it had rained bodies. Sue Carpenter was seated in a rocking chair with a book, Jess Carter was lying on the porch swing, and Katie Carter was curled up on a porch step. As I walked towards the stairs, I was surprised the child hadn’t rolled off the sagging wooden step. She appeared perfectly balanced on the edge with a pile of limp flowers in front of her on the next step below. I noticed the green leaves and stalks of my grandmother’s garden, now bare of all colorful florals. I would have to trim some of the plants back to make it look less like a bad haircut.
I bent down in front of Katie.
“Hello, Katie,” I spoke softly, brushing away wisps of hair that had escaped her braids.
Katie’s eyes opened and closed, then opened and closed again.
“Are these flowers for me?”
Slowly, she nodded her head.
“Can I pick you up? I’ll carry you inside and put you in my room to sleep. You might be more comfortable there then on this old stair.”
Katie did not reply, but I scooped her up anyway. As I climbed up the stairs, Jess stood and approached us.
“I have her…if that’s okay with you?” I added quietly.
Jess nodded with consent, and Sue opened the screen door without a squeak for me. I took Katie to my own room where the girl sprawled out her arms and legs in comfort. I covered her with the pink flower quilt and brushed back additional loose hair. I smiled to myself and returned to the kitchen to say hello to Nana. It was early, but Nana was an early riser. She looked confused, but she was dressed and Sue was offering her a cup of tea.
“Why don’t you go out on the porch and
I, on the other hand, was a girl who had to have a plan. I didn’t live in the moment, but always thought ahead. I had to know where I was going and what I was doing before I could make a move. I never lived in the now . When I went away to college, Grandpa had passed, and Nana moved back Up North to their original home. I felt I no longer had a place in Michigan. My original home had been sold. My college education was paid. I didn’t return.
“This isn’t some covert mission, Rosie. I’m serious. Nana can’t be moved that easily. Look, I know you can’t help me. I understand, but you have to help me decide what to do.”
“I don’t have any answers, Em. You laid all the options out and none sound good, but one has to work. The only option you didn’t mention, and I hope it’s because you haven’t even considered it, is staying there.”
“Never,” was my immediate response. It was almost an impulsive reflex, but then I thought about it for a moment longer and Jess immediately came to my mind.
“This is stupid,” I said more to myself, but it came out my mouth, and Rosie heard me. “Never mind.”
“Look, I’ll let you go,” I added. “Give my love to the girls and Mark, and keep me posted on the baby. Three weeks and counting, right?”
“Right. Em, are you really okay? You know I’d be there if I could, but with three weeks until baby-day, there’s no way. I can’t fly on an airplane, let alone risk having the baby up there.”
I wanted to retort, It isn’t the Dark Ages . There is a clinic with a medical center in Traverse City, but I bit my tongue.
“Love you, Rosie.”
“Love you, too, Em.”
Unfortunately, the silence on the line signified how alone I felt.
I PULLED INTO Nana’s driveway sometime in the early Michigan morning before dawn. I’d made the six-hour drive in a little over five hours, fueled by caffeine. Nana’s front porch looked like it had rained bodies. Sue Carpenter was seated in a rocking chair with a book, Jess Carter was lying on the porch swing, and Katie Carter was curled up on a porch step. As I walked towards the stairs, I was surprised the child hadn’t rolled off the sagging wooden step. She appeared perfectly balanced on the edge with a pile of limp flowers in front of her on the next step below. I noticed the green leaves and stalks of my grandmother’s garden, now bare of all colorful florals. I would have to trim some of the plants back to make it look less like a bad haircut.
I bent down in front of Katie.
“Hello, Katie,” I spoke softly, brushing away wisps of hair that had escaped her braids.
Katie’s eyes opened and closed, then opened and closed again.
“Are these flowers for me?”
Slowly, she nodded her head.
“Can I pick you up? I’ll carry you inside and put you in my room to sleep. You might be more comfortable there then on this old stair.”
Katie did not reply, but I scooped her up anyway. As I climbed up the stairs, Jess stood and approached us.
“I have her…if that’s okay with you?” I added quietly.
Jess nodded with consent, and Sue opened the screen door without a squeak for me. I took Katie to my own room where the girl sprawled out her arms and legs in comfort. I covered her with the pink flower quilt and brushed back additional loose hair. I smiled to myself and returned to the kitchen to say hello to Nana. It was early, but Nana was an early riser. She looked confused, but she was dressed and Sue was offering her a cup of tea.
“Why don’t you go out on the porch and
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