Sneaky Link

40

As I speed walked through the halls I felt the sweat on my forehead. My bags in hand. I looked for the room when they were at. When I finally found the room I tried to calm myself down. I tried.

"Marco". My voice came out with a break. "Oh mija you shouldn't have come". I think he was a lot of pain meds because he never called me Mija. "What happened". I rushed to his side of the bed immediately giving him a look over. Nothing with his legs.

"I fell down some stairs that's all. This girl was exaggerating". As I looked at his knees I saw there was wrapping around it. But from the visible parts it was very swollen. "They said I hit my back but I don't remember that". I gave him a small smile as my hand ran through his hair. "I'm glad you're okay". He smiled back.

I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. It was his daughter. She signaled for me to follow her.

"He seems okay". I stated with a smile. Yet her hands were massaging her temples. "He hit his head really bad. Almost cracked it open. He thinks he's in his 20s. They said it's some sort of amnesia. I don't know". Her words sounded stern but her voice, well her voice was another story. I brought her into a hug and she finally let herself go. Her body shook as mine begged for air at the thought of my favorite guy no longer really being with us.

"I'm gonna be here for you". I stated into our hug. I felt her nod. She didn't let go until her body was all out of tears.

Billie - how's the plane ride?

-

It was about an hour later. We had some water and chips as we sat there listening to the doctors instructions and directions on how to go from here. They recommended a nursery home but I didn't want that for him. Yet, it wasn't up to me so I did not voice my opinion on that.

I just knew he wouldn't want to be alone. No one should die alone.

"We'll do it". He handed her the papers. "I know you won't agree with this". Her eyes stayed on the paper. "But you won't be here. I can't do it on my own". Her fingers held onto that pen like it depended on her life.

"If I can help I will". A soft smile was shot at me. "He will be okay". I got comfortable in the seat as she continued filling out the papers. I looked up at Marco who had a massive bruise on his arm and leg. And an even darker bruise on his head. "I should have been here". I said out loud not being able to stop myself.

"It's not. He's older. I should have been there. There's no point in the blame game. We just have to change now". She placed the clipboard back on the bed. "Thank you for calling me". With a deep breathe she looked at me. "He loves you. You're like his favorite daughter. I couldn't have not called you. Plus you've been there when I couldn't". She rubbed my arm.

This was horrible. The number one rule I have for my clients is to do everything they possibly can to NOT fall. Once an older person has a fall or a hip injury their quality of life drops drastically. Not only are they in pain but they won't be able to move as well ever again because their bones just don't heal the same.

The would be constantly experiencing uselessness and hopelessness and usually that leads to not wanting to eat or get better. It was a steep slope to death. Usually in less than five years.

As every fact I learned on those online courses I took rushed into my mind I felt my phone ding.

Billie - how's the plane ride?
Billie - no way you're not awake 😖

Fuck.

I sighed.

"I have to make a call". Jessica waved me off as she continued hitting her nails and staring at her dads sleeping body. I pressed the little phone symbol and brought the phone up to my ear.