A Happy Birthday?

Ashley

'Uuugh. Thank you Hunter', Jill says quietly to her grandson as he helps her ease back onto the bed.

'Are you sure you don't want me to tell Pop?' Hunter asks, placing her scarf where she directed.

'No. He has enough on at the moment. If it's not better I'll tell him later', she sighs, closing her eyes against the pain in her shoulder. The feeling of lying down on her bed a balm for her poor, battered body.

Hunter watches her. Unsettled by how much pain she's in. He realizes he's in a tricky spot.

He promised his grandfather that he'd take care of Nana. He asked for the responsibility, and understands perfectly well the trust Pop has placed in him. And he thinks that Pop should be told that Nana's shoulder seems to be worse now than when they began their day's adventures, that every touch, every step, every movement seems to bring her discomfort. But Pop also told him that he must respect Nana's wishes too. He sighs quietly.

He's really in a bind.

Growing up sure is complicated, he thinks to himself.

Satisfied Nana has what she asked him for and understanding that she just needs to rest now, he leaves the bedroom, closing the door quietly behind him.

But, in a nod to his duties, to the faith his grandfather has placed in him, instead of going downstairs to the living room he sits on the floor outside of the bedroom; far enough away that Nana can have some privacy, close enough that he will hear her if she calls.

He moves a little as footsteps sound on the stairs. Hopes that maybe it's Pop but as he peeps through the banisters he sees Ashley approaching.

'I know Pop asked you to take care of her but this is probably a little unnecessary', she teases her nephew.

'I ... I didn't want to go too far in case she needed anything. I wanted to be able to hear if she was calling', he explains, eyes wide, voice eager.

Ashley smiles. He's a great kid. Beau would be so proud of him, she thinks.

'Well, let me take over for a while. You'd actually be doing me a favor', she says, 'I really haven't had much time with her since she came out of the hospital, I'd like to sit with her for a while', Ash finishes, noting that her nephew seems quite relieved at the prospect of some time off duty.

She watches him run quickly down the stairs. He did a good job all morning, took his task seriously, was solicitous but gave Nana plenty of space but Ashley couldn't help but notice that her mother was in a lot of discomfort, that she really was putting on a brave face, that by lunchtime she really couldn't stay in town any longer. Ash was just about to insist they stop for lunch but Jill had actually surprised her by saying she thought it was time to go back to the rental house; all the evidence needed that her nutritiously stubborn and independent mother was far from ok.

She eased open the bedroom door, popped her head around. Her mother was staring at the ceiling, her face a mask of discomfort that she hadn't time to hide before Ashley noticed. A second later her mother was her usual stoic self.

'I gave Hunt some time off', Ash called softly across the room. 'The poor kid was sitting outside of your door. I think he's terrified that if you need anything and he's not immediately available to you Dad will disown him', she said, only part in jest.

'Where is Dad? Is he back yet', Jill asks quietly.

Ashley notices her tone. Sad? Hurt? Confused? She can't quite put her finger on it.

'No, he texted me a few minutes ago, wanting to know how you are. I don't know what he's being briefed on but it's serious. I expect he'll be there awhile so I came back', she says.