The Only Thing That Matters

Chapter 3

 “The past is the past, okay? Can we just let it go?” Mona exasperated. My family sat around the table, each with a forkful of food, pestering my sister into an exaggerated mess. Kayden continued to talk about Darin and how much she missed him. My mother looked upon my daughter with disapproving eyes. I knew I would hear about it later.

 “Come on, Mona. You know you still love him,” my brother teased. He was just about to take a bite when Mona’s hand met his. His food fell to the plate in a loud thud and all eyes flew to the two of them. Kayden even stopped whatever spill she was on to investigate the ruckus. Jake turned to face Mona, eyes filled with anger. He slapped her hand, just as hard. This threw Mona over the edge.

 Throwing herself from the table, she left the room. My mother sighed. This wasn’t going well. However, in the Murphy household, when did things go smooth?

 “Jake. Why can’t we ever just have a simple, pleasant family meal without the two of you going at it like a bunch of wild animals? I made this dinner. I want to eat it as a family and if you can’t obey my wish, you should have never sat down. Go apologize to your sister and come back and behave like the adult you are,” my mother snapped. By this time, I had taken back my seat and was finishing the mashed potatoes that rested upon my plate. Jake, irritated, stood up in his chair and left the room in the direction that Mona had gone.

 Beside me, Kayden started to giggle. My mother swatted her hand and she immediately stopped. My father, sitting on the other end of the table,  quietly continued his meal. I glanced over at Karen, who was having a conversation via text. My mother shook her head slightly and shoveled her food in. It was the quite dinner she had hoped for.

 “Isbell?” the voice on the other end of the phone questioned. I glanced at the caller ID, unknown number flashing the top of my screen. I put the phone back to my ear and hesitantly answered.

 “Yes?”

 “Hi, yes. It’s Doctor Milton from TrayMemorialHospital. Mrs. Williamson had a minor stroke and is here at the hospital. No other relative seemed to be in town. I called seeing as she is your daughter’s grandmother, correct?”

 I opened my mouth in surprise. It took a minute before I could find the words to speak. My ex-mother-in-law had a minor stroke and no one was in town? Where was her husband? I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I knew that Blake wouldn’t make a trip into town to visit his mother since his baseball career was starting to kick off. I had seen his face on the news this morning.

 “Yes,” I reiterated. I could hear Doctor Milton muffle something to a nurse, maybe, before placing the phone back to his ear.

 “If you’d like to come down to the hospital and visit her, she’s in room 203. She’ll be good to go in a few days. Take care.”

 The line clicked off.

 I leaned against my kitchen counter, still in disbelief. I barely noticed Anthony come through the door and into the kitchen to wrap his arms around me. Kissing my forehead, he pushed back slightly to get a feel of my face. Concern covered his entire face.