“Everything’s going to be fine with Nana,” I tried to reassure a wide-eyed Trey. But my voice, which sounded thin and frantic, betrayed my own anxiety as I approached the nurses’ station to inquire about Mama’s room. She pointed us down the hall, where we found Mama propped up in bed, holding Oscar’s hand. An IV line trailed from her arm to a stand with a large fluid bag.
“Mama!” I crossed over, stepped between her and Oscar, and clumsily took hold of her shoulders, giving her a little squeeze. “Are you okay? What’s going on?” I took in her dry lips and shallow complexion as she nodded with a little sigh.
Trey had moved to her other side and was nervously hovering. Mama smiled his way and reached for his hand, grasping it weakly. “Wipe that worried look right off your face, boy. No need to fret about your Nana. I’ll be just fine. Just needed a little fluid, that’s all.” She nodded toward her IV bag. “Told them to mix in some Jim Beam, but they didn’t take kindly to the notion.” She chuckled and waved me closer so she could whisper in my ear. “The sooner you can spring me from this place, the better. I’m ’bout to go nuts in here.”
“Nurse said there’s a possibility of an early release for good behavior,” Oscar teased, his slight accent more pronounced than usual. “But seriously, Althea’s going to be just fine. Just got a little dehydrated, didn’t ya, sweetheart?” He reached around me and patted her arm. “They said she’d probably get to go home later today.”
“I’m glad you’re okay, Nana,” Trey said, now perched on the side of her bed, holding her hand.
“What happened?” I wanted to know as I stood beside her, still perplexed. “You seemed better when I left last night.”
“Thought I was,” Mama said. “But the darn stuff snuck up on me again in the middle of the night.” She scrunched up her face. “Lawd, but I was sick.”
Oscar nodded. “Yeah. Lucky for you I stopped by this morning.” He looked my way. “I went by her place around nine or so, just to see how she was. When she didn’t answer the door, I got worried. I looked through one of the windows and saw her on the floor.”
I clasped a hand over my mouth. Mama on the floor! And I hadn’t even called her this morning . . . She could have—
“Oh, honey, I was fine,” she reassured me. “I just got up too fast or somethin’. I heard him knockin’ and was just trying to get to the door,” Mama explained. “Just got a bit dizzy. Nothin’ major.”
Oscar went on. “Scared me, seeing her like that, ya know? Had to kick in her front door to get to her. Anyway, she seemed weak, a little confused. Couldn’t even recall what day it was.”
“Aw shoot!” Mama looked around. “Y’all know I can never keep track of days. That’s nothin’ new.”
I patted her hand and smiled Oscar’s way. “I’m so glad you were there for her. Thank you.” My voice caught as I spoke. I looked down at Mama. She seemed so vulnerable lying in bed with tubes coming out of her arm. What would have happened if Oscar hadn’t come along at the right moment? Dehydration, especially in someone Mama’s age, could be so dangerous. Guilt swept over me. I should have been the one checking on her.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked back at Oscar, who was studying me with concern. “I know what’s going through your mind, Lila. Don’t go beating yourself up over this. You couldn’t have known.”
He was right; still, it did little to assuage the guilt I felt. I turned back to Mama. “Well, I’m here for you now. And I’m not going to leave your side until you’re better.”
“Oh yes, you are!” Her cheeks suddenly glowed pink. “There’s no need for you to be hangin’ out here all day. Neither one of you.” She looked between Trey and me. “You both have plenty to do without wastin’ your day here.”
“There’s nothing more important than you, Mama,” I insisted.
“Nonsense.” She waved her hand through the air, shaking her IV line and causing a little ripple in the bandage holding it in place on her arm. “Ouch!”
I grabbed her hand and placed it back at her side, then smoothed out the bandage. “See, that’s why I need to be here. To keep an eye on things.”
“Really, sugar. I don’t want y’all here fussin’ all day. Especially with this bein’ the last day of the expo.”
Oscar spoke up. “I’d be happy to stay, if you don’t mind, Lila.” He nodded toward Trey. “I’m sure Trey and the rest of my crew can cover for me at the restaurant.”
Trey shifted. “Yeah. A couple of the other guys are taking care of the prep work. But the lunch crowd’s due soon.”
“You go on, then, Trey,” Mama said. “And don’t worry none about me. I’m just fine.” She looked my way. “You, too, hon. Head on back with Trey and take care of your business.”
“I’d be happy to take her home later,” Oscar offered.
“Not to her home. Bring her by my place,” I insisted. “You’ll stay with me tonight, okay, Mama?”
“That’s a good idea,” Oscar agreed. “It’ll give me a chance to get the front door replaced at your place, Althea.”
Mama shook her head. “Listen to you two! There’s no need for—”