A Fight to Remember

Spaghetti, Tequila, and WWDD?

This Chapter takes place about a week later from last chapter. Zola is home and is already aware her mother has Alzheimers, but Meredith hasn't told Bailey or Ellis yet. And they haven't really discussed anything about it either...

Bailey is 21 and on Spring Break from med school, Ellis is 19, and Zola is 23

March 6 2034

Bailey

Seattle Airport on a Monday was definitely a lot quieter than the bar I was at the night before. But the quiet just made me worry more. It was Zola who called me just two days ago to tell me to cancel my spring break plans. Mom had an announcement to make and she wanted me there in person. Mom usually never shied from talking to us over the phone or facetime herself, and the fact that Zola called instead really bothered me.

I was alone with my thoughts, pacing in the arrivals gate of the airport. Mom said I brooded like my father. 'McBroody,' she'd call me, on days when the worry pulled my usual bright smile into a dimmed frown. It was a very long time since I had been McBroody.

"Bails!" I heard Zola call. My head snapped up and I forced a smile for my sister. She strode up with easy confidence and gave me a big hug. Despite my worry, I was happy to see her. We hadn't seen each other in person for more than a year so I happily returned the gesture along with a fist bump.

"C'mon," she said. "The parking here is super expensive."

"Alright," I muttered as she pulled on my elbow.

"No Luggage?"

I shrugged. "Just my knapsack."

"Kay, lets go."

"What's the hurry?"

"Mom is unsupervised in the kitchen and she wants to make us dinner..."

"Oh." I envisioned several scenes of food burning and the house exploding or Ellis dying of food poisoning, "Right then, best speed."

As we drove out I started to ask the first of my many questions..."Aren't you supposed to be in Africa finishing your practicum?"

"Yeah... I'm transferring to Washington U. I'll be finishing my practicum here."

"Why?"

"Things change, Bailey."

"It's mom isn't it? Something happened."

"She'll tell you herself. For now...I can't really talk about it."

"Wait- she told you?"

"She didn't. She wanted to tell us all at once but I found out."

I wanted to push Zola to talk, but I knew that it was important for mom to be the one to tell us, so I shut up about it. Not talking about it didn't make my brain stop thinking however, and a few possible scenarios came to mind. Of course coming from a doctor's family, I always thought the worst. Cancer. Tumor. Sued for Malpractice... or the dreaded I've met someone... conversation. That was the worst. Although I was sure that would never happen.

Once, I asked mom point blank if she would consider dating again, she replied that she honestly never gave it any thought. Your father was the love of my life... she said, I don't think I could ever try to replace him... I know he wouldn't want me to be an old maid... it's just... I can't get over him.

"So, how's Ellis?" I asked. Zola told me about Ellis dropping out of college, and I wanted to know the scoop. I was worried about her.

Zola sighed. "I don't know... she's the weird one of the family. She has a job interview today though."