Nanny For The Black

Unconvinced

|A L E X I S|

"You've got everything you need?" I moved frantically around my grandmother, tidying up every single object I found to be out of order.

"Yes, Lex." I could feel the eyeroll even though I didn't witness it.

"Your pills?" I asked as my eyes scanned the hospital room assigned for Gran for the next month, the VIP room Mr. Black got for her.

My pace didn't slow down, and I made sure her glasses and medications had to be on the bedside table, as well as the water jar and cup. But the table was too far, so I screeched it close to the bed, certain all she needed was within her reach. Her clothes were settled in the cabinet; half were made of thin fabric for the hot days and the afternoon walks, and some were slightly thicker for cold nights.

"What about-" I took her bag, fumbling as I searched through it for her phone.

A weak grip arrested the movement of my hand gently, tugging me down so I was sitting on the bed with her.

"Yes, my phone is with me and has scheduled reminders for my medications." As if she understood my mind, she held up her phone to show me.

"Oh..." My head tilted down as I failed to articulate a proper response to conceal my anxiety about the upcoming weeks.

"Lex, listen to me carefully," she whispered, lifting my chin with her finger to look at me.

"I know that you're concerned about everything regarding my health now that the surgery is set, but all is well, honey. Rest assured that nothing bad will happen from now on. I'm in the hospital, surrounded by good doctors and nurses, monitored by the hour. They're keeping me under observation 24/7; I don't even have to lift a hand to have a cup of water. Therefore, I'm not alone, and m friend Skeeter will keep me company from time to time, so go on your way; baby Luke is waiting for you." She relieved the tightness within my chest with comforting words, chasing away my concerns about leaving her on her own in an unfamiliar environment.

"Okay, I'll go..." I mumbled, and she was satisfied with my answer for a brief moment. "Promise to call me if you need anything."

She rolled her eyes playfully when I pulled out my finger for a pinky promise, but she didn't waste a second to hook hers around mine.

"Only if you promise to quit your other jobs, now that you're babysitting." I sighed at the negotiation but nevertheless nodded in agreement as we sealed our deal.

"I'll see you in the evening, darling." She patted my cheek for a goodbye, and I hummed, pecking her cheek before leaving.

Walking out through the door, which slid automatically behind me, I relied on the wooden surface for support and closed my eyes as I placed my head on the hard wood. My energy, which allowed me to force a grin and laugh at my grandmother's attempts to brighten the dim environment with jokes, kept me company until I left the room, abandoning it without hesitation, and my knees faltered. I inhaled deeply as my throat tightened, hinting that it was time to soak up the wretchedness of our current situation and cry, given there were no witnesses in sight.

No, don't; you can't...

I reminded myself when my eyes stung, running my palm down my face and gulping to ease my narrowed airways when nothing seemed to work.

"Excuse me, Ms. Reed?" My attention immediately shifted to the source of the voice walking in my direction, and I straightened my posture as I turned to them.

"Dr. Kiwit," I addressed him, to which he nodded as he stopped and smiled.

"Now, I know we've already discussed the approach we'll take for Mrs. Reed's recovery, but there is something I believe I forgot to mention." His voice was calm and collected, as if preparing me for what was to come. "Your input on Mrs. Reed's health was undeniably helpful for the health evaluation we're running for her. The medical history you provided of your grandmother is incredibly important and is a major factor aiding us in providing the best care we can. However, since the evaluation is contributing to her mental state, I'll have to advise you not to let her feel stress of any kind in the next few weeks prior to and after her surgery. Provide her with the utmost relaxation, and we are ready to help you with that whenever you need it." He smiled, the dark eyes behind the glasses awaiting an answer.