Monday Jan 6 2020

Maddy was fever free and fit as a fiddle and was ready to get tubes placed in her ears. She didn’t seem too worried about it but seemed to hesitate a bit when they got to the hospital. Bobbie wondered if she remembered saying goodbye to her sick mom in that hospital and if it was now a bad association.

They went in the main door and found the pediatric wing which was not like the rest of the hospital. It had bright colours and cartoony pictures and coloured footprints on the floor for directions. They completed registration with the one of the computers and then were ready to go. “We have to follow the blue path Maddy.”

Maddy hopped along the blue path and at the end was Aunt Jen, wearing scrubs. She picked up Maddy and said, “You can come with me. You’ll be back with your Gramma in a few minutes.”

About 20 minutes later Maddy was wheeled out in a wheelchair. Jen parked the wheelchair. “She shouldn’t be too woozy; I only had to put her under for 12 minutes. Ethan is a pro.”

Bobbie shook her head. “Thanks Jen. That’s amazing. You’re all done Maddy, should we roll you down to the gift store and pick something out?”

In the end, Maddy picked a bag of sweets to share because she was excited about having her sleep over with Aunty Barb and Aunty Trixie and wanted to share.

They headed home and in the back seat Maddy was quiet. Bobbie wondered how much the procedure hurt or if it would slow her down. The doctor told Bobbie to make sure she stayed quiet and got some rest. Bobbie parked and let her out of the car and Maddy wanted to be picked up. Bobbie noticed Maddy was getting a bit too big for her to manage.

They went up in the elevator and at the top, Bobbie got her coat and boots off. Maddy went to the bathroom and came out looking woozy so Bobbie suggested they go lay down and read a book. Maddy was asleep before the last page. She didn’t usually have a morning nap. Fossie was happy to sleep at her feet.

Bobbie went into her office to catch up on her correspondence and review some of the notes they found on Townes’ computer about preparing site plans and inspections and getting big condo projects off the ground.  She checked in with the motel staff with texts and worked on some event planning procedures. There were more events coming to the Gallery and now that she completed buying the building from Greg and owned the building outright, it was all her responsibility.

Around lunch time Bobbie texted Mark to bring up a couple pizzas for them and Marla brought them in a few minutes.

Bobbie thanked her. “So, Marla how do you like being the dishwasher here?”

“It’s more fun than I expected. I get to be out front, bussing tables and lend a hand prepping food too. I also help Drey with some of his repairs and general maintenance when I get a chance so I keep busy.”

“That’s good, I’m glad you’re happy.”

Marla left and Bobbie went back in her office and worked a bit while she nibbled her pizza. Trixie and Barb messaged on their group chat that they would be there around 5 with some Chinese food and Bobbie gave a thumbs up, hoping that Maddy would be feeling up to it.

Around 4 Maddy woke up famished. Not surprising as she hadn’t eaten all day. She was restricted to water before her procedure. They sat together on the couch in the theatre and Bobbie put on some cartoons and Maddy started with a yogourt popsicle and then picked away at her pizza.

Not much later, the elevator dinged and Bobbie and Maddy went to meet Trixie and Barb. Barb had the Chinese food and some balloons and Trixie had a gift bag and some dessert donuts. Bobbie ushered them into the kitchen where they put the food down and then into the theatre carrying the balloons and the gift. Maddy was grinning and followed along.

They all sat down and Trixie gave the bag to Maddy. “This is a little get-well gift Maddy.” Maddy sat on the floor and opened it. It was a fine black leather bag with handles on it like a doctor’s bag and inside it was a stethoscope, an oscilloscope, some bandages and a pretend thermometer.

Bobbie smiled, “Wow Maddy it’s a doctors kit, now you can make sure all your teddys are healthy.” Maddy spent the next few minutes trying to hear Fossie’s heart beat.

Barb reached out and touched the bag. “Trixie, is this a Prada bag?”

“It’s and old Prada bag that I never used because I thought it looked like a doctor’s bag I think it might have been a promotional item.”

Bobbie laughed, “Be careful, you’ll give Maddy a taste of the finer things.”

They all laughed and chatted some more and Bobbie made a mental note to put a note in her therapy journal about worrying that Maddy will get spoiled. At six o’clock they went to the kitchen and warmed up some Chinese food. They ate at the island and chatted. Then they all worked on a little puzzle together and later they had tea and a doughnut.

Around nine, Maddy was looking tired. Trixie said she’d put her to bed. Barb and Bobbie chatted over some wine. Then Trixie went in and read her a story.

Trixie came out of Maddy’s room and said, “It’s a two-story night,” indicating that it was Barb’s turn to read a story.

Barb came out of Maddy’s room a little later. “I think she’s asleep now.”

They poured some more wine and started chatting and then Bobbie’s phone rang. “Hello. Mom? Slow down. What? Oh my God no. I’ll be right there.” She ended the call and stood up. “Mom’s house is on fire I have to go now. Trixie, can you drive, you haven’t had any wine. Barb, can you please stay with Maddy. I’ll try and keep you updated.”

Barb looked upset but said, “Of course Bobbie, give Florence a hug for me.”

Trixie was already getting her coat on. They drove directly to the house and Bobbie could here the sirens and see the smoke as they approached. They parked and Bobbie sprang out and ran towards her mother who was being comforted by Dr Ethan. Bobbie stopped and saw Linda looking upset so she went over. “Linda are you all right? What happened?”

Eddy and Johnny came over to them and Eddy said, “I was going home from the hospital and was driving by to see if Gramma was still awake because I wanted to stop in and talk about a case with her. I got around the corner and saw flames shooting out of the chimney. It was sending sparks all over the roof and then I heard an explosion and I raced in the house. Grandma and Linda were on their way out with their bags. They are OK. They were using the fireplace in the living room and it started a chimney fire.”

A firefighter joined them. “I can’t asses much while the house is still burning but it most certainly an out-of-control chimney fire. The old creosote burned so hot the bricks failed and the fire went into the house. It is a danger for these old homes.”

Bobbie nodded her thanks and made her way over to her mother. “Hi Mom I’m glad you’re OK. Hi Ethan, nice to see you. Thanks for coming. Our patient Maddy is recovering nicely.” Bobbie didn’t know what to say to him. He just smiled and patted her arm.

Jamie and Jarrod arrived and Jamie looked overwrought; he had his hands on his head and was staring at the flames. Jarrod put his arm around him. Bobbie went over to him. “Hi little brother, it’s quite a bonfire we have going here.”

“Our whole childhood is going up in smoke. How’s Mom doing?”

“She’s fine. You know her, she could be dying inside but would never show it.”

Johnny and Linda came over. They were heading back to his place. Bobbie wondered where everyone would sleep.

Trixie found them. “It’s freezing out here; the house is wrecked and I’m taking your mom back to your place, do you want to come with us or are you staying?

It was starting to snow. Bobbie said goodbye to Jamie and Jarrod and suggested they come to the motel if they wanted to talk.

They got back to the motel and settled in. Barb asked Florence how it felt to lose her family home.

Florence sipped her wine and looked thoughtful. “I’m really sad that it’s all gone. It’s like the last piece of Walt is gone too. I still have my memories and everything that we poured into that house but I have a sense that I can move on now.”

Bobbie nodded. “I felt that way when I finally sold the house in Citadel City. I came back to my family home. That comfort of “going home” is gone but I am here, where it’s more like home now that I have Maddy because it’s her home. If that makes any sense.”

Barb said, “Florence, your house always represented a steady home for me. You let me stay there when I was most vulnerable, I’m a little sad to see it go.” Trixie nodded in agreement.

The elevator dinged and Jamie and Jarrod arrived. They were covered in snow so Bobbie ushered them into the laundry room. Jarrod took off his coat and boots and discretely left. Jamie hugged Bobbie. “Jarrod said we should come because you’re the only one who might understand how I’m feeling about losing the family home.”

“Oh Jamie, I’m so sad to see it go. I was thinking of all the parts of our lives that we lived there but you have a home with Jarrod now. You moved on from our childhood home already. Let’s just take some time to be sad but know that we’ll be OK.”

The elevator dinged and there stood an abominable snowman. Johnny walked into the laundry room and shook the snow off. “Hey guys it’s a full-blown storm out there. Your house fire is probably smothered by the snow. So Bobbie, can you believe that I own 3 houses and I don’t have anywhere to stay tonight? Can I rent a room?”

Bobbie laughed. “Of course, Johnny. Does anyone living in your many houses pay rent?”

Johnny rolled his eyes. “I need a drink,” and he went into the kitchen.

Jamie wiped his eyes. “A drink sounds good.”

They were snowbound. Jarrod and Jamie stayed in a motel room and so did Johnny. They laughed and reminisced most of the night. Trixie and Barb were in her guest rooms, so Bobbie let Florence stay in her room and Bobbie slept in the Murphy bed in her office.