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"This is all because of taking your mother and Ben to the house?"
"Oh, Jack, it’s so hard forto pretend everything’s the same, but it isn’t Today it was even more obvious that she and Ben can’t stay in the house er"
"Do you want me to talk to them?" he asked after a short pause "My parents both died years ago, so I haven’t been through this, but…"
"No I appreciate the offer, but this has to come from Will and me I can’t blame Mom I wouldn’t want to leave my home, either And then there’s the problem of what to do with the house itself"
When they’d visited the assisted-living coed and excited It’d all sounded so positive, with a variety of programs that would keep her mother and Ben entertained and involved in life She could visualize herpinochle
The facilities had exercise and physical therapy progra and craft circles, excursions and more At each place she must have counted at least five different activities for every day The meals ell-planned and theOlivia wouldn’therthat lancing at caller ID "It’s Ben or your mother," he said to Olivia
"Hello, Charlotte" Alaze went to her "Charlotte, of course Now don’t worry, we’ll be right there"
Olivia nearly leaped out of her chair "What happened?" she asked in a panic
"Everything’s fine," Jack said calet up and Charlotte can’t help hi’s not fine!" She took a deep breath "Why didn’t you tell her to call 9-1-1? Is Ben hurt? He oodness, Jack, this is serious"
"Ben isn’t hurt But your et him up, and she can’t do it They’re both exhausted"
"How could this have happened?" She ran for her jacket, then grabbed her purse and headed for the door
"She said Ben slipped on the rug in the kitchen"
Will had purchased the serator, but it had a rubber backing and shouldn’t have slid
"He didn’t re her mind, "and he stumbled over it"
"They should call 9-1-1," Olivia cried Jack put on his coat and followed her out of the house
"Ben is eh as it is," Jack said "And Charlotte told me he’s not hurt"
"We don’t know that"
"No, but we’ll find out soon enough" They hurried to Jack’s car and were off, not even bothering to lock up
Charlotte met theht past her and into the kitchen, where Ben sat on the floor, knees bent and head down "I feel like an old fool," he muttered
"It was an accident," Jack said "We’ll have you up in a second"
With his hands under the olderhimself
"Are you okay?" Olivia asked
"Yes Except for "
Charlotte pulled out a chair and collapsed into it "I just didn’t knohat to do," she said, her voice treoodness you were able to coed her, whispering reassurances It was just as she’d told Jack Just as she’d known for a while She was the parent now She’d become her mother’s mother
Twenty-Six
Monday afternoon, Rachel left work early She went to the Cedar Cove library, where she sat in one of the big overstuffed chairs and awaited her stepdaughter’s arrival She’d called Jolene’s cell to reed to meet her but Rachel had no idea what to expect Jolene had attended a counseling session, and it had been a co to Bruce She’d been sullen and silent through the entire session, refusing to participate in the conversation The longer Rachel stayed away frohter, the more obvious it became that she wouldn’t ever be able to return It was tiements, permanent ones
Rachel wondered if Jolene would stand her up and was soirl stepped inside She came alone, which was also rather unexpected, since Jolene usually traveled with a pack of friends
She stood in the foyer and scanned the library until her gaze fell on Rachel As soon as she saw her, Jolene’s eyes narrowed Walking across the library, she carelessly dropped her backpack on the floor and sat in the chair next to Rachel’s
"You wanted to talk toHer voice was devoid of war," Rachel replied pleasantly, choosing to ignore her stepdaughter’s attitude
"Why did you ask me to come here?"
"Actually, I have several reasons"