Though Liam insisted that Tori should stay in Carmel, Katya convinced her friend she was free to go home. She'd given up over two weeks to be there for her, but she did have her own life. She knew Tori would stay forever, for however long it took to tie things up at the Tocci household, but Katya didn't want that happening. So she sent her on her way.
Katya even spoke to Liam a couple times. Very brief conversations, but enough to keep him informed and to tell him not to come down. She didn't hate him, she assured him, and she wasn't angry, she promised. She had so many other things to worry about that honestly, he was nowhere close to even being on her radar.
Her mother was doing much better, but was by no means running at one hundred percent – it was Katya who mainly dealt with doctors and nurses, relaying information to her mother and the rest of the family as she got it.
And though she didn't see him much, Wulf had really stepped in to deal with all the bills and insurance. Katya'd signed him off as someone who could receive sensitive information, and after that, he took over the monetary side of everything.
Her father was doing as well as could be expected. He had good days and bad days. At the beginning of the second week, he got a nasty infection in his lungs and had to be put back into the ICU. Then it got cleared up and he was doing better again, slowly improving. He got frustrated, of course, and sometimes even angry at people. But there were times that he smiled, even laughed, and that's how Katya knew that somehow, everything would be okay. It may never be the same again, but it would all be okay.
“I feel like we should do something,” her mother said, late one night. They were sitting on the couch together, both zoning out to the television.
“What do you mean?” Katya asked, taking her mom's hand and squeezing it.
“Well, everyone's here, and so many people have done so much for us. The Stones and the Tunts. The Patels. We have enough food to last us for a whole year,” she chuckled. “I feel bad, I haven't seen anyone. I feel like a thank you is in order.”
“Well, we could make thank you cards. You love doing that,” Katya pointed out.
“Yes, we could, but it seems so impersonal. I mean, look at this place, look at what Wulf did for us. A thank you card? I would feel so guilty.”
“Then I'm not sure what you want.”
“I think maybe a small gathering,” her mom suggested.
“Mother, no. You are in no condition to make appetizers and pass them around at a cocktail party, I forbid it,” Katya said sternly.
“Of course not,” her mother said quickly. “Lord, I don't even have the energy to do the crossword in the morning. No, I was thinking something small. Just close friends and our family, that's it. We can hire a caterer, you and I won't have to do anything more than make a phone call.”
“I still think it's too much. The accident just happened, no one expects you to be doing a song and dance for them,” Katya said.
“Honey, I'd like to do this for me,” her mom finally spoke with some strength in her voice. “Every time I go to the store, or step outside, someone is asking me a question. This way, we can answer everyone's at once. Tell them how Daddy is doing, and show them that we're doing good, and that we appreciate all they've done for us. I'm no help to your father if I continue falling apart. It's time to do something, be productive.”
It was clear this was something her mother had thought about a lot, and something she really wanted. Katya couldn't bring herself to talk her out of it, so she smiled and nodded.
They went through Mrs. Tocci's address book, picking out potential caterers they would call the next day. They made a list of who they'd invite, and a tentative menu. It was the kind of stuff her mother lived for, and by the time she went to bed, she actually seemed a lot happier.
While Katya laid in bed, she held still and kept quiet. Strained her eyes and listened to the sound of water lapping in the near distance. Though the nights got kind of cold, she kept all her windows open. That way, when Wulf went for a late night swim, she could hear it. She didn't watch him, and she didn't go to see him. But it was comforting listening and knowing he was out there.
*
They had the gathering the following weekend. Everyone who was invited showed up. It was morbid to even think it, but Katya kind of felt like she was at a wake. She wore a simple A-line dress, black and sleeveless. Then when she went downstairs, she saw that her mother and most of the female guests were also wearing black. There were only maybe a dozen or so people in the house, and they were all speaking in hushed tones. Whispering. Frowning and casting sad glances at Mrs. Tocci.
This is so depressing.
The weeks of stressing were finally catching up to her. Keeping strong for her father, taking on all the household duties for her mother. She'd told the bakery she was quitting – she didn't see herself going home any time in the foreseeable future. How was she going to pay her half of the rent? Liam wouldn't make her, of course, but still.
And of course, ever present, was the worry about her father. Would he really be okay? Would he ever regain his happy-go-lucky nature? Would he be in constant pain, would he be depressed? He loved his job – would he be able to do it anymore? He liked working with his hands – would they stop shaking long enough for him to make things? How was he going to deal with all that while relearning how to use his now heavily damaged body, navigating a world that was murky gray? Would he ever be okay?
“I'm so sorry, dear,” Mrs. Patel said, squeezing Katya's hand.
I swear to god, if one more person says sorry one more time, I'm going to scream. Literally, actually, scream.
“Katya, I'm -”
She whirled around, ready to let loose with an ear-splitter, but stopped when she saw Vieve Stone standing behind her. She took a deep breath and pressed her hand over her heart.
“Sorry, you startled me,” she chuckled.
“Oh no, I'm sorry,” Vieve said quickly. “I wanted to come over sooner, but didn't feel it was right. How are you holding up?”
“Good. Okay. Sort of,” Katya managed a laugh. “I never got to really say it, but thank you, for being there that day. I don't know what I would've done without you.”
“Oh, please. I wish I could've done more,” Vieve insisted.
“Don't be ridiculous. You were amazing. I hope you do become a doctor someday – your bedside manner is amazing,” she said, and the other woman smiled big.
“Wow. Thank you, so much.”
“You're welcome. Hey, my mom would love to see you again, she's in the kitchen.”
“Oh, of course. I'll talk to you later?”
“Definitely.”
Katya managed to hold onto her smile while the other girl walked away, then she turned on her heel and strode outside. She could only manage pleasantries for so long before she felt like her head was going to crack open.