My phone rings from its place in the cupholder, and I smile when I see the face of my best friend, Morgan, smiling back at me. “Good morning, sunshine,” I greet her.
“Don’t try to sweet-talk me, Kennedy Edwards. You were supposed to call me last night when you got in.”
“Sorry, I didn’t leave until this morning. Lyle stopped by last night.”
“No. You are not taking him back. He took the light from your eyes. I don’t think he did it on purpose, but no. Just no, Kennedy.”
“He brought his copy of the divorce decree.”
“Oh.”
“I was up late packing.” I pause, then drop the bomb on her. “After we had sex on the couch.”
“What?” she screeches.
“I know. It just happened. I was upset about Grandma, and he hugged me, and then we were kissing, and then, well, you can figure out the rest.”
“Did he stay the night?”
“No.” I’m shaking my head even though she can’t see me. “It’s over. We both know it’s over. It’s been over for a long time. It was closure, I guess. At least that’s what I’m calling it.”
“Damn,” Morgan mutters. “How are you?”
“Fine. Honestly. I mean, I had sex with my husband, well, I guess ex-husband as of yesterday. It was purely physical.”
“I’m here if you need me.”
“I know. I love you for it.” I hear her baby girl, Iris, coo in the background, and I smile. I’m going to miss the little bugger while I’m away. “I hear my girl.” I smile into the phone.
“I see how it is. I have a daughter, and I move to second place.”
“Come on, Morgan, you know Iris is the best of you and Mitch, and those squishy little cheeks.”
“They’re so squishy,” she agrees. “Fine, I forgive you,” she adds. “Where are you now?”
“In Willow River. Just crossed over into the city limits.”
“Are you heading straight to the hospital?”
“I am. Carol said they were keeping Grandma overnight, so I’m hoping they’ll release her today.”
“Give her a hug from me. Call if you need me, and remember to check in with me. I know how you let yourself get buried in your work, and without me there to drag you out of the house, I fear you’ll be cooped up all the time.”
“I’m helping Grandma run the manor,” I remind her.
“I thought you said it was a well-oiled machine?”
“It is. Grandma doesn’t know any other way but to get shit done.” I chuckle. “But I’m sure there will be things I’ll need to do, events I’ll need to make sure go off without a hitch.”
“Good.” I can picture my best friend nodding and smiling. “You need to get out more.”
“I love you, Morgan.”
“I love you too. Be safe.”
“Will do. Kiss Iris for me and tell Mitch I said hello.”
“You know it,” she agrees before ending the call.
Placing my phone back in the cupholder, I follow the GPS directions on the dash that lead me to Willow River General. Easily finding a parking spot, I park my SUV, grab my purse and phone, and make my way inside. A quick stop at the welcome center tells me that my grandmother is on the second floor.
Once off the elevator on the right floor, I easily follow the signage, finding her room. I knock softly, not wanting to wake her if she’s sleeping. I don’t hear anything, so I quietly push open the door and step into the room. My eyes scan toward the bed where my grandma is sitting up, glaring at the tray of food in front of her.
“What did those eggs do to you?” I ask.
She gasps and looks up, a genuine smile lighting up her face. “Kennedy.”
“Hey, Grandma.” I move to the chair next to the bed and pull it as close as I can get, sitting on the edge and dropping my purse behind me on the seat. “How are you feeling?”
“Good. Pain is controlled, and my appetite is ravenous, but this—” she points at her plate of scrambled eggs, sausage links, and toast— “is not appetizing in the least.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s bland, and the toast is soggy.” She leers at the plate and reaches for her cup of coffee.
“When do you get to go home?”
“Today. You know how it is. We have to wait for the dog and pony show of shuffling doctors in and out of the room, so they can charge me another two grand before sending me off.”
I don’t bother to stifle my laughter. “You mean the doctors who took you to surgery and used their very capable hands to repair your broken bones?” I challenge.
“The least they could do was feed me a decent breakfast.”
“How about I run down to the cafeteria and grab you something else?”
“No. It’s fine.” She waves me off. “You just got here, and I’ve missed you.”
“It’s been what? Three months since you’ve seen me?” I don’t mention the fact that I drove to see her a few days after Lyle left. I needed to get away, and spending time with Grandma in Willow River was exactly what I needed. I only stayed one night, and yes, it was a lot of driving for that short of a visit, but it was worth it.