Something More

Chapter Seven

It had taken a couple of weeks, but Lisa had found a good balance between working and helping her mom at home. Working had the added benefit of giving her mom time alone with her dad. But as the days passed, her father began sleeping more and more so most of the time Lisa had spent with him was just sitting with him as he slept.

While Betty, today's nurse, attended to his needs, Lisa went into the kitchen for coffee.

"So, how does it feel to be back at work?" her mom asked.

Lisa released a slow breath. "Honestly? It's been great."

"Good," her mom said with a smile. "Are you still working on that catering gig or is that already finished?"

She groaned before taking a sip. "I wish it was over. Oh, crap. I didn't tell you, did I?"

"Tell me what?"

"Remember that lunch I had with that one woman a few weeks ago?"

"The one you had the hots for?"

"Oh, my word. Yes. Wait, no. I definitely did not have the hots for her." Her mother laughed loudly and Lisa threw up her hands, glaring. "Are you done?"

Her mom coughed and wiped at the corner of her eye. "For now."

"Okay, so I think she's attractive."

"Think?" her mom raised an eyebrow.

"Thought! That day. I thought she was attractive."

"Mm-hmm."

"God, you're impossible."

"So I've been told. But I promise to be good. Yes, I remember you mentioning the hot woman."

Lisa glared again. "Anyway. She's the catering gig. Well, her mother is really the client. Or her husband. It's for his birthday."

"Wait. The mom's husband or the daughter's?"

"The mom's husband. Daughter's stepfather, I guess," Lisa replied with a shrug. "But the daughter, Jennie, is basically in charge of it."

"How's that been? Is she as snobby and jerkish as she was the first time?"

Lisa tilted her head. "A little. We've only had one meeting so far and she definitely had her moments. You should've seen her surprise when I laid out perfect options for her for table settings and linens. I know she assumed I was a server when we had lunch. Then I showed her I know my shit. I think I almost made her head explode."

Her mom chuckled. "When do—"

"Elena," Betty called as she entered the room, "I'm not trying to panic you, but I've just called an ambulance for Conor. His breathing is labored and—"

Her mom jumped off her stool and rushed down the hallway.

Lisa made her way around the counter when Betty gripped her arm. She wanted to pull away, but Betty's voice stopped her.

"Lisa, honey. Please wait outside for the ambulance. Can you do that for me?"

"No. I need to see him." She fought against Betty's firm grasp, but she hadn't moved an inch.

"Lisa."

She stopped and looked at Betty, already feeling hot tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Please. I need to go check on him. They'll be here soon. Can you do that for me?"

Lisa mutely nodded. When Betty was out of sight, she wept silently against the counter. "Not yet. Not yet," she whispered. She lifted her head when she heard the faint sounds of sirens. She stepped outside, hugging herself tightly and begging the universe to just let her dad be all right.