Foster Mom [#Wattys2016] (completed) ✔️

15

The girls and I drop Dad off at the house.

Sophie starts crying when Dad steps out of the car.

Dad looks at me, then the girls. "You should come in. The girls can have their afternoon sleep here and you can be home by dinner?"

I look at the girls. "Do you want to see Grandma?"

The girls yell. "Yes,"

Dad opens the door and he unbuckles the girls.

Sophie walks down the footpath with Dad.

I pick up Gracie and lock the car. I follow Dad and Sophie to the door. I see Dad stop in the middle of the footpath. I let go of Gracie's hand and run to Dad. I hold his arm. "Are you alright?"

"I feel dizzy." Dad says in a weak voice.

Mom opens the door and she says to the twins. "Come inside, girls."

The twins run into the house and she shuts the door.

I turn toward Dad. "How long have you been feeling dizzy?"

Dad closes his eyes. "Those tablets your Mom makes me take at lunch makes me feel like this. I really need to get some sleep."

I help Dad into the house. I lead him towards the bedroom in the bottom floor.

In the room I pull the blankets down and help Dad into bed. I pull the blankets over him and kiss his forehead. "You better be awake before I leave with the girls."

I exit the bedroom and crash into Mom. "I'm sorry."

She shakes her head. "I shouldn't have been eavesdropping on your father and you. But, he never tells me what's happening. What was in that bag he carried into the house?" She asked as we make our way to the living room.

I brush my fingers through my hair. "A suit. He told me he wants to be buried in it."

Mom hugs me. "I'm sorry you had to be there when he brought."

A tear falls down my face. "I would love to see him in that suit at a wedding or a party before he goes."

She looks at the calendar. "Your father and I will be celebrating our 35th anniversary in two months. I was thinking about throwing a party together then. I just hope he can hang on."

He has to hand on until then.

I step away from Mom. "I'm sure he'll hang on a bit longer."

Mom and I sit on the lounge and I see the girls in the playpen playing with toys that Mom and dad have lying around the house.

I'll let them play for a bit longer before I put them to bed.

Mom's phone starts to ring. She rises and moves towards it. Mom answers the phone.

Mom: hello, this is Clara. A pause. The she says. Alright, I'll be there in half an hour. Bye.

She hangs up the phone. "That was your sister she wants me to meet her at the mall." Mom says, avoiding eye contact with me.

She's lying.

I cross my arms. "You don't need to lie to me, Mom. It's none of business what you're doing. I'll be here when you come home."

She nods. "I'll buy something for dinner. Thanks for staying."

"You're welcome. For now I'm going to put the girls to bed. They've had a long day."

Sophie looks at me "Grandpa?"

I lift her up and lace her on my hip. "Grandpa needs a rest like you. I'm taking your sister and you to bed. When you wake up Grandpa should be up as well." I lift Gracie out of the playpen and I carry them to the spare room. Where two cribs are set up for them. I put Sophie in the crib with the pink blanket.