The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 62 - A Daily Habit

Dinner was noisy, casual, and fun as everyone talked, enjoyed the pizza and had a good time at the dinner table on Monday evening, the night of December 23rd. Susan sat beside her husband who sat at the head of the long table, talking easily with their guests. Her family was all around her and she felt happy. But as Susan sat there, her early morning and their busy day began to catch up with her and her legs and back began to ache. Tired feet she expected, but this back ache radiated around to her sides. Still, she was enjoying everyone's company so much, she didn't want to say anything. After dinner though, she was content to stay where she was, allowing others to clear away and bring their many dessert things to the table. Some weren't ready yet, but others obviously were.

"Susan, are you okay?" Greg asked when he saw a shadow pass over his wife's face as he returned with one of the pies. The rest of the room was mostly empty as everyone else was helping to carry things to and from the dining room.

Susan smiled wanly. "I think so. I think I'm just tired. It's been a very busy day, and I've been on my feet quite a lot."

"Does your back hurt?" Greg asked.

"Yes, but then so do my feet and my legs. I think it's just from standing all day," Susan insisted as the others started to return.

"We can check tonight," she whispered in a low tone.

Greg nodded. He was concerned but he was also a good enough actor not to let it show and he smiled broadly as his mother-in-law came back in carrying a tray of dessert dishes and forks, followed by her husband and Michael, each carrying trays of milk and coffee to go with the dessert. Mrs. Abernathy organized everything and served everyone from the array of baked goods the women in the family had produced. Through it all, Greg noticed that although Susan smiled, she said very little.

"Susan, are you all right?" her mother whispered after they were finished with dessert and they were preparing to clear everything away yet again.

"I think so, Mom. I need Greg to take my blood pressure to be sure," Susan said.

Mrs. Abernathy arched her brow. "The doctor told you to do that?"

"Yes," Susan said. "We have what we need here to take care of me and to know if something is going wrong."

Mrs. Abernathy turned to her son-in-law. "Go take care of her. I'll take care of the kitchen," she said firmly. "I think it's time for the boys to help."

"Thanks, Mom," Susan said as Greg helped her from her chair.

With his arm around her waist, Greg escorted Susan from the dining room to find her mother chivying the boys to come help in the kitchen along with Rachelle who had volunteered.

"Sue? Is everything all right?" Michael asked when he saw them together.

Susan smiled tiredly. "I think I might have over done it today. Mom and the boys are going to do the cleanup so I can rest."

"What do you need?" Michael asked taking a step towards her.

"Nothing, Michael," Susan insisted.

"Are you sure?" Michael asked looking warily at Greg. "She almost died the last time, you know?"

Greg glanced at Susan wondering which time Michael might mean, seeing in the other man's expression the concern of someone who'd cared for Susan for many years.

Susan grimaced. "Greg's helping me. Maybe you can go help the boys?" she suggested. "Make sure they don't drop anything?"

"Okay," Michael agreed. "Take care of her," he said to Greg.