Chapter 4: Not a Week

Mona stood in our doorway with my spare key in one hand and her overnight bag in the other.

She looked pale under her makeup.

A hospital bracelet circled her wrist, and she held one arm against her stomach.

For a second my anger gave way to guilt.

She really had been cut open that morning.

She really was in pain.

Then Brad carried her suitcase past me, and my silence became his permission.

Eli followed with his backpack.

He did not look toward Junie's room.

"I can still go home," Mona said. "I don't want Lana uncomfortable."

"You can't be alone tonight," Brad told her.

"The sewing room is ready," I said.

Mona smiled at me, grateful. "Thank you, Lana."

On the kitchen counter Brad laid out her pill bottles, her discharge papers and a list of medication times.

"Every six hours," he told me. "She has to eat something with them."

I did not touch the list. "You promised to take care of her."

"I have work tomorrow."

"So arrange your day."

His eyes narrowed. "You're home."

I almost reminded him that I had been home on Wednesday, while he rehearsed our family's number with somebody else.

Instead I slid the papers toward him. "Then you should learn the schedule."

Mona lowered herself into a chair. "Please don't fight because of me."

She said it softly, with her eyes on Brad, waiting for him to defend her.

He did. "This isn't about you. Lana is still upset about Halloween."

Junie appeared in the hall holding her rabbit.

She had stayed in her room since the car pulled in.

"Is Eli sleeping in my bed?"

"No," I said.

Brad looked at me, and I looked back.

Eli glanced between us. "The couch is fine."

Mona reached for her son's hand. "We'll manage. We don't want to put anyone out."

Brad's face softened at once. "Nobody is putting you out."

I wondered if he heard the difference.

Eli took the couch, and that made him considerate.

Junie kept her bed, and that made her difficult.