Page 27 of Just A Kiss
Saturday morning, I got up,went home, showered, and got ready for the day. I was a little hungover but not too bad. I had taken some ibuprofen as soon I got back to Hadley and Aiden’s last night, knowing I had a lot to drink at the gallery opening. And then a few more when I got back to their house.
I make my way into the nursing home and stroll up to the front desk. “Hello, Mrs. Pearson.”
The woman behind the desk looks up at me. Her soft brown eyes meet mine, and she smiles at me, showcasing her teeth. “Hello, Ms. Stikes. How are you doing today?”
“Good.” I look down and begin to dig in my purse for the letter I received. Once I find it, I hold it out to her. “I was wondering if I could talk to your manager.”
Her glasses hang around her neck from a thick silver chain. She picks them up and places them on her nose. She reads over it and then reaches over to pick up her office phone and put it to her ear. “Yes, I have Andrea Stikes here to speak with you.” She nods a few times. “Yes, ma’am.” Then she hangs up. “You may go on back, Ms. Stikes.”
“Thank you.” I take the letter from her outstretched hand and make my way down the long hallway to the back. The nursing home is one of the best ones in Chicago. I didn’t have any way of getting her into here, but my brother pulled some strings. Well, actually, it was his wife. I guess her parents had connections here in Chicago and were able to get her in. I promised him I would go in half on everything. It didn’t matter what I had to do to get the money; I wouldn’t fail her. But my brother never paid a dime. He got her in the door and then just dropped the ball. He never even mentions it.
I knock on the door that reads director. “Come in.” I enter the room. “Hello, Andrea.”
I sit down on the chair in front of her desk and take a deep breath. I’m not here for small talk. I’m here for business. “I need a few more weeks.” I hand her the letter that has her signature on the bottom. “I can make payments until then.” She opens her mouth to speak, but I hurry to add. “They won’t be big, but I can give you something.” I begin to dig into my purse for my checkbook.
“That won’t be necessary, Ms. Stikes.”
I look up at her, and my heart begins to beat faster. “What? Why not?”
“Well …”
“Please don’t kick her out,” I rush out as tears start to sting my eyes. “I can get it. I promise.”
“As I said, that won’t be necessary.” She reaches out, handing the letter back to me. “Your mother’s account has been paid in full.”
“What?” I gasp.
“Actually, it has credit on it.”
“No, there must be some mistake.”
She shakes her head. “No mistake. She is paid up through next year.”
I run a hand through my hair nervously. This must be some kind of sick prank. “That can’t be. I just got your letter a few days ago. I haven’t made any payments.”
She picks up a piece of paper off her desk and scans it over. “A Mr. Kyle was in here an hour ago and made the arrangements.”
“No,” I whisper as my stomach drops.
“Yes. He made the arrangements with me personally. Very nice guy.” She sets the paper down. “He was very concerned about moving her.”
“This can’t be happening.” The first tear runs down my cheek.
“He understood the risks. And knew that relocating would only confuse her more. He was very adamant about her care. He even had her upgraded to a bigger room.”
I shoot to my feet, and she does the same while alarm flashes across her face. “Ms. Stikes, are you okay?”
“Thank you. I … I gotta go.” I turn and run out of her office. Once I get in my car, I pull my cell out of my purse and dial Hadley’s number.
She answers on the first ring. “Hey, girl …”
“What is Asher’s phone number?” I demand.
“What? Andrea, are you okay?”
“What is his number?” I shout as angry tears run down my face. How could he do this to me? I told him that in confidence last night.
She rattles off some numbers, but I don’t even have a pen to write it down with. “Will you text it to me?”