Если я останусь

           Someonemusthavestoppedbyherhousetobringherfreshclothes.Grampsissittingverystill,andhishandsareshaking.He’snotmuchofatalker,soitmustbehardforhimbeingorderedtochatwithmenow.

           Anothernursecomesby.Shehasdarkhairanddarkeyesbrightenedwithlotsofshimmeryeyemakeup.Hernailsareacrylicandhaveheartdecalsonthem.Shemusthavetoworkhardtokeephernailssopretty.Iadmirethat.

           She’snotmynursebutshecomesuptoGranandGrampsjustthesame."Don’tyoudoubtforasecondthatshecanhearyou,"shetellsthem."She’sawareofeverythingthat’sgoingon."Shestandstherewithherhandsonherhips.Icanalmostpicturehersnappinggum.GranandGrampsstareather,lappingupwhatshe’stellingthem."Youmightthinkthatthedoctorsornursesorallthisisrunningtheshow,"shesays,gesturingtothewallofmedicalequipment."Nuh-uh.She’srunningtheshow.Maybeshe’sjustbidinghertime.Soyoutalktoher.Youtellhertotakeallthetimesheneeds,buttocomeonback.You’rewaitingforher."

           MomandDadwouldnevercallTeddyormemistakes.Oraccidents.Orsurprises.Oranyofthoseotherstupideuphemisms.Butneitheroneofuswasplanned,andtheynevertriedtohidethat.

           Momgotpregnantwithmewhenshewasyoung.Notteenager-young,butyoungfortheirsetoffriends.Shewastwenty-threeandsheandDadhadalreadybeenmarriedforayear.

           Inafunnyway,Dadwasalwaysabow-tiewearer,alwaysalittlemoretraditionalthanyoumightimagine.