Free All I Want Is Forever by Lynn Emery

right. Even more, she hoped the past that included Monette and Earl would remain closed.

Chapter 4
    â€œStop racing around, Talia. You’re making me tired just looking at you.” Mama Rose shifted with a slight frown, trying to get comfortable in the hospital bed. “You’d think this place would have better pillows.”
    Talia arranged the plants, sent by family and friends, on a dresser in the room. “You’re not going home, so don’t start. St. Francis is an excellent rehab center. This suite looks almost like a cozy apartment.”
    â€œI don’t like apartments, and this is a nursing home. They can dress it up with a fancy name, but that’s all it is.”
    Mama Rose gave the sheet an aggressive jerk to straighten it. Her plump cocoa brown face screwed up with distaste. She was only five feet four inches tall. Yet Rose Travis was a force to be reckoned with when displeased.
    â€œIt is not,” Talia said. She unpacked underwear and neatly placed it in a drawer. Then she went into the bathroom to put away toiletries.
    â€œOh, yes it is,” Mama Rose said loudly.
    Talia came back into the room. She put one suitcaseaway in a large closet, then started unpacking a second smaller one. “No, it’s not.”
    â€œIt is.” Mama Rose stared out the window with a sullen expression.
    Talia held up a pretty pink sweat suit. “Bet you look cute in this. Who knows? You might meet a handsome gentleman friend.” She smiled at her.
    â€œRight, just what I need, a sickly old guy wearing a diaper.”
    Talia laughed out loud as she hung the suit in the closet beside more clothes. “You’re too much.”
    When she turned around to tease Mama Rose some more the smile faded from her face. A single tear slid down her foster mother’s cheek. The proud woman’s hands were tightly clasped together in her lap. Talia sat beside her on the bed and placed an arm around her shoulders.
    â€œYou’re talking to me the same way my friend Alice’s daughter talked to her. Alice never went home. She died in one of these places.” Her voice was a strained whisper.
    Talia rested her head against Mama Rose’s. “Miss Alice was in the last stages of terminal cancer. That was totally different, cher.”
    â€œMaybe you and that doctor haven’t told me everything.” Mama Rose reached into the pocket of her bed jacket and pulled out a tissue.
    â€œLook at me, Mama,” Talia said. “We’ve always been honest with each other. I wouldn’t lie to you about this.”
    â€œYou’re sure he didn’t say anything more about those tests? I can take it, Talia.” Mama Rose stared back at her intently.
    Talia felt the strength in her yet saw fear in her hazel eyes. “I’m sure. He didn’t see any new scarring on yourheart to indicate a second attack. But he’s concerned at the way your blood pressure dropped so low. Dr. Jean-sonne wants nurses checking your vital signs every four hours the first week at least, just as a precaution.”
    â€œI can get nursing care at home.”
    â€œAnd he wants you near the medical equipment here,” Talia added firmly. “Otherwise, I would have been just as stubborn about taking you home. This makes sense.”
    Mama Rose plucked at the floral top sheet. “I’m not staying one minute longer than necessary.”
    Talia smiled. “You always told me when things got tough to use my brain. We both know the doctor is doing what’s medically best for you.”
    As though unwilling to go that far, Mama Rose merely waved a hand. “And what are you going to do in that house all alone? Maybe Derrick can—”
    â€œI’ll be fine,” Talia cut in with a cheery tone. She patted Mama Rose’s cheek and stood. “I’m going to make sure your dinner is ordered. Where did I put that menu?”
    â€œIt’s right