Free Changing Woman by David Thurlo Page B

letting her have her own way. Ella bit the corner of her mouth to keep from laughing. “Youcan be such a stinker, Mom.”
    “I really
don’t
want a stranger in my house, daughter,” Rose said in a quiet but determined voice.
    “Then I’ll try to find a Navajo woman you know to come in and help you.”
    “You’d better find someone with a lot of energy if you expect her to take care of my granddaughter.”
    “I know,” Ella said, glad that her mother was becoming part of the solution now, and not theproblem.
    “And someone who can cook a decent meal—that is, if I’m not going to be allowed to cook either.”
    “You’re not. So tell me, any idea who we can get?”
    “None at all,” Rose said firmly.
    Ella exhaled softly, realizing Rose was trying to set another trap. “I didn’t think so.”
    Time dragged on, and Rose tried Ella’s patience mercilessly. Ella came up with names of people both her mother andshe knew, ones who might be willing to take on the job, and each time Rose vetoed her suggestions.
    And so it continued until it was finally time to take Rose home. As Ella went out to the lobby to sign the release papers, Carolyn came up to her.
    “I walked by a few times and heard you two arguing. Did you settle on a companion for Rose?”
    Ella shook her head. “We need someone by tomorrow, butshe’s turned down everyone I suggested.”
    “I have an idea. Gloria Washburn is looking for work. She’s a practical nurse who’s going back to night school. Why don’t you give her a try?”
    “Can you contact Gloria for me? I’m going to have my hands full.”
    “Consider it done. If for some reason she can’t be there bright and early tomorrow, I’ll call you back tonight.”
    Ella finished signing the releaseforms, then went back to get her mother. Before long, they were on their way home in Ella’s Jeep.
    “Tomorrow a nurse Bijishii recommended will stay with you and my daughter, at least until I get home,” Ella said using Carolyn’s nickname. “Let’s see how she works out. And, Mom,
try
to be nice to her, okay?”
    “I know you have important work to do. We won’t bother you at the office,” Rose said simply.

    “Mom, its okay to bother me, just don’t make her crazy, okay? For your granddaughter’s sake keep things peaceful at home.”
    Rose smiled but said nothing, and Ella bit her Up to suppress a groan.
    When they finally arrived at the house, Rose had become subdued and it was clear to Ella that her mother was exhausted from today’s ordeal. She helped Rosechange into her nightclothes and get into bed,then walked to the bedroom door. “Good night, Mom. I’ll be back soon. I’m just going to get my daughter.”
    “Drive carefully,” she muttered, but by the time Ella had her jacket on again and peeked into the bedroom, Rose was already asleep.
    Ella drove to her brother’s home and, as she pulled up, saw that only one vehicle was there. Loretta’s small sedan was gone. Ella went up to the house and knocked.

    Clifford opened the door and Dawn rushed up and threw her arms around Ella.
    “Shimasání
better?”
    “Yes, but you’ll have to be very quiet when we get home. She’s already gone to bed. And I need you to be very, very good tomorrow. Your grandmother is sick and needs time to get well.”
    Dawn nodded somberly.
    Ella glanced around as Clifford motioned her inside, but it appeared that Clifford was theonly one home. “Where’s your family?”
    “My wife took our son to her mother’s for a few days.”
    Dawn wriggled free and Ella set her down, allowing her to return to the toys she had scattered on the floor. “Is there trouble between you two again?” Ella asked, keeping her voice soft.
    “No, it’s not like that.” He waved her to a couch. “I’ll explain some other time. There’s something else I need totalk to you about now. Have a seat. Remember when you asked me to find out anything I could about the vandalism that’s been going on?”