Page 87 of The Challenge

“I guess I can’t argue if you two are gonna gang up on me.”

“Can we go to Waffle House?” my daughter asked.

“I think that’s a great idea,” Chloe agreed, kissing my neck.

“Sure.” I nodded.

“Yay!” Effie cheered through the phone.

“We’ll be there to get you soon, okay?”

“Okay!”

Chloe finished getting dressed as I threw my own clothes on. But right before we were about to leave, her phone rang. She answered, and I kept looking over at her troubled expression as she paced in the kitchen. It made me wonder if it was her ex-boyfriend who’d called.

After she hung up, I walked over to her. “What’s wrong?”

“That was my mom’s assisted living facility.”

My stomach sank. “Everything okay?”

She shook her head. “They said she hasn’t been eating or drinking the past couple of days. I’m overdue for a visit. I think I should go see her right now instead of getting breakfast with you guys.”

“I’ll come with you,” I insisted.

“No. You should take Effie for breakfast. You promised her.”

“Breakfast can be lunch. I’ll have Lydia keep her a little longer. Effie will want to wait for you anyway.”

“She’s going to be so disappointed.”

“I’ll tell her we’ll go get fried chicken instead. Believe me, she’ll love that even more.”

“Okay.” Chloe sighed. “Thank you.”

“Honestly, I’ve been wanting to visit your mom with you, but I didn’t want to overstep and invite myself if you didn’t want me there.”

On the way to the care facility, I called Lydia to make sure it was okay that she kept Effie a little longer. Once she agreed, I explained the situation to my daughter, who was as good about it as I’d expected.

When we arrived at Judy’s room, she was all alone, staring at the television.

Chloe went to her bedside. “Hi, Mom.”

I followed behind her and spoke softly. “Hi, Judy.”

Judy continued to stare straight ahead as if we hadn’t entered the room. It was hard to see her like this when she’d once been so full of life. She used to offer me advice and care for me, yet she seemed so vulnerable now. I could only imagine how Chloe felt if seeing Judy this one time had hit me so hard. It was a different kind of cruelty than I’d experienced with my mother, albeit just as difficult. I was more determined than ever to be here for Chloe in any way she needed me.

“What are you watching?” Chloe asked her. “Is this House Hunters International?”

Judy looked at her blankly, then returned her attention to the television.

Chloe gestured over to where I had taken a seat in the corner of the room.

“You remember Evan Ricci, Mom.” Chloe pointed to me.

Judy turned to me but didn’t say anything. If she didn’t remember her own daughter, it was highly unlikely she remembered me. Once again, Judy returned her attention to the television.

Chloe looked over the tray of food next to her mother. “Looks like she’s still not eating.”