“Good. Really good. Lace was able to take her treatment in Inez’s chemo suite today while we both kept Inez company.” He chuckled. “Lace used that opportunity to shmooze a couple of the nurses—because who can resist a concerned cancer patient—and found out all about Inez’s case.”
Vince went on to explain about the particular cancer that was affecting the little girl, and mentioned the additional Tuesday treatments that were more invasive than the normal infusions.
“That means Ihopeto be going to the hospital on Tuesdays, as well as my regular gig on Fridays,” he apprised, then looked at his dad. “That’s if you think you can spare me at work?”
“Son,” Guy said patiently, as was his way. “I’ve been dealing with the mill without you for twenty years. I think I’ll be just fine.”
“Yeah, but I promised that I’d get more involved; re-learn the ropes so you and mom can take some vacations. Some time off.”
“Which will happen. Eventually,” Guy returned calmly. “I’m assuming that these treatments for your girls won’t last forever.”
His girls.
Vincent really liked the sound of that.
“Lace has three months left, and Inez has about the same.”
“And then?” Ellen asked.
“Then Inez should be good to go. With testing, scans, and meds ongoing for a number of years to make sure she stays in the clear, of course. Lace, however…”
Vince rubbed the back of his neck. He hated that it would be such a long haul for her.
“Once she finishes up her chemo, she’ll have her mastectomy, then undergo radiation treatments. Afterward, it’s the same protocol for her. Lots and lots of follow-up.”
“Poor things,” Ellen commiserated. “And both being all alone, too. Lace must miss her grandparents dreadfully at thispoint.” Ellen’s eyes softened. “I’m so glad you’re stepping up to help her through this.”
Vincent wasn’t going to take any credit for things he hadn’t accomplished yet, but he did want to pass on his good news.
“Speaking of helping, you’re not going to believe this. Even with all her own problems, Lace has offered to take me on as a roommate. She’s willing to subject herself to DHHS’s scrutiny, and basically co-foster with me.”
Ellen smiled and nodded appreciably. “That sounds exactly like what I’d expect of Fran’s granddaughter. Willingness to step up. Empathy. Lace sounds just like her grandparents,” she gushed. “And that house,” she went on. “Such a charming cape. It’ll be the perfect place to raise Inez.”
Vince stopped her right there. “Uh, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Mom. I’m not even approved for fostering yet, and who knows what it will take to get Inez’s care switched over to me. Or if it’s even possible.”
Ellen got a sly look on her face. “Don’t you worry about that, honey,” she said. “We haven’t lived here all our lives not to know a few people.” She winked.
Vince felt his heart flutter.
Wow. If Ellen Sothard thought she could grease some wheels, and had been confident enough to say so out loud, she meant it.
Vince was normally one to solve his own problems, but…
“If that’s true, I’ll be more than happy to take you up on that offer,” he told her with a grin. “Inez is really special. Just wait ‘til you meet her. I…”
He’d been going to offer that his mother join him for Inez’s next treatment, but he was still feeling his way around the situation himself, so wasn’t sure if adding Ellen to the mix was appropriate at the moment.
“Don’t you worry,” the Sothard matriarch assured him, understanding all too well. “When the time is right, I’ll meet both Inez and Lace. Even though I knew Lace when she was young, and saw her briefly at her grandparent’s funeral back when it happened, I didn’t have a chance to really talk to her. I’m looking forward to catching up.”
Vince still didn’t know the circumstances surrounding Lace’s grandparents’ passing. His mother made it sound like they’d both been taken from Lace at the same time.
He wouldn’t pry now. Lace would eventually fill him in as they got to know each other and shared important details of their lives.
Vince continued. “Lace and I haven’t exactly talked about where things are going to go from here. Between us, I mean. Other than that I’ll move into one of her spare bedrooms. Oh. Which reminds me.” He snapped his fingers. “The second full bath in the house needs a total overhaul.” He got to his feet. “I’m going to text Statler right now and schedule a time when he can give me a quote.”
“If you’re doing a studs-up reframe,” Guy Sothard interjected, “I’ll throw in all the lumber.”
Vincent smiled and nodded. “Thanks Pops.”