Free Changing Woman by David Thurlo Page A

the ER was one of them. She’d call Clifford from the lobby.
    As she reached the reception area, Ella pulled out the phone, but before she had a chance to dial, she saw Clifford walking into the hospital.
    He hurried over. “I just found out Mom was injured. One of my patients saw your daughter’s father bringing Mom into the emergency roomand came to tell me. How is she?”
    “Asking for you,” Ella said and filled him in on the accident.
    Clifford winced the second he learned that Rose would need someone to help at home. “You’re planning to tell her, right?”
    “I was hoping maybe we could both tell her.”
    “She might take the news better from you,” Clifford said a little too quickly.
    “Nice try, brother. But you’re not getting out ofthis so easily. I need you to back me up.”
    “Yeah, okay,” Clifford said with a sigh. “But it’s going to be almost impossible to talk Mom into this.”
    “We have to remind her that it’s only temporary, and that having extra help will speed up the healing process. We’ll point out that her granddaughter needs her to get well quickly. The way I see it, pitching it that way is our only chance.”
    “Andit’s a slim one.” Clifford looked at her hopefully and added, “Are you sure you don’t want to handle this alone—woman to woman?”
    Ella glowered at him. “You’re
not
chickening out.”
    “Okay, okay.”
    Ella and Clifford went to where Rose was, but the minute they stepped into her small enclosure Rose braced herself for a fight. Maybe it was seeing both of them coming in that tipped her off, but Rosehad a set look on her face that meant trouble. Ella explained what the doctor had told her, trying not to be affected by the way her mother was glowering at her.
    “He’s a doctor, but he doesn’t know
everything.”
Rose stared at Clifford. “You should know that better than anyone. You’re a
hataalii!”
    “Mom, we’re only trying to make things a little easier for you,” Clifford said, and looked at Ellain desperation.
    Ella resisted the urge to roll her eyes. He’d always been such a pushover. “Mom, we need you to get well. My daughter needs you,” Ella began, knowing she was in for an argument.
    Rose heard Ella out, then shook her head immediately. “No. That’s not acceptable. I can take care of myself and my granddaughter with one hand tied behind my back.”
    When both Clifford and Ella continuedto hold their ground, Rose’s eyes grew wet with tears, accusing them of seeing her as
xa’asti,
ancient and beginning to disintegrate.
    Ella saw Clifford go pale. Any minute now, he’d surrender.
    “Will you go take care of my daughter?” Ella abruptly asked him. “She’s with my doctor friend in the cafeteria.It looks like I’m going to be here for a while.” Clifford’s relief was so evident she nearlylaughed.
    “I’ll take her home with me,” he said. “She can play there. Visit all you want.”
    Ella watched as Clifford practically fled the room. Her brother could battle skinwalkers with iron courage but he was utterly lost in a debate with his own mother.
    Ella turned her attention back to Rose. “Okay, Mom, there’s no more need for tears. You upset my brother, but I’m not going to let it get tome so easily. Your age is not the factor here, and you know it,” she said in a brisk no-nonsense style. “You simply have an injury and you need time to heal. To do that, you can’t use your hand, so you’re going to need help around the house. I’ll find someone to come in during the day, and you’re just going to have to do your best to cooperate with her.”
    “How could you show me such disrespect?I raised you better than this!”
    “Quit trying to put me on the defensive so you can avoid the issue. It won’t work.”
    Rose sighed. “You’re a very stubborn daughter.”
    As Ella looked at Rose, she realized that her mother’s feelings hadn’t really been hurt at all. It had been an act to manipulate them into