Chapter 5

“Good evening Allison. How was your day?” Susan greeted her 5yo. client. Allison was unable to ambulate and could only say a few single words, but oh she was a lovely young girl and Susan thought the world of her. Allison smiled in return, her huge dimples obvious when she smiled so enthusiastically. Allison’s dark blond hair was pulled back in pigtails, and she was wearing a long sleeve tee shirt dress and laying on a mat on the floor. Allison rolled closer to Susan and said, “hi,” quietly. Allison tracheostomy was capped with a Passé Muir valve, that allowed her to push air from her longs, past her pharynx and out her mouth to talk more easily. Allison was small for her age and had always been this and weaker than most kids her age due to her Cerebral Palsy, but she was such a sweet child. During the night as she slept, they attempted to give Allison more nutrition through her Enteral feeding tube. Unfortunately she simply couldn’t eat enough to gain weight, so they did their best to help her. Tracy, Allison’s mom, stepped out of the kitchen upon hearing Susan’s voice. “Oh his sweetie. How was your day?” Tracy smiled but as usual had a haggard look on her face. Tracy did absolutely everything for her family, because Fred, her husband, worked over the road driving semi to provide for them. Allison has two older brothers that must be up in their rooms. Usually

Tracy sent the boys, Alistar age 16 and Addison age 12, to their rooms to complete their homework after school. Once that was finished, they were allowed to play outside until supper at 5:30 or 6:00PM. Alistar occasionally attended sports events or hung out with his friends after supper if he didn’t have more homework or chores. Addison usually complained about his chores, bathing, and anything he didn’t want to do, and rarely went anywhere after supper. Susan smiles at Tracy as she answers, “good thank you. Yours?” Tracy sighed. “Well, Fred’s truck is broken down in Texas. Unfortunately that means he is wasting time sitting to get it fixed, so won’t be home this next weekend. I haven’t broken the news to the boys yet. Such is life I guess…” Susan walked over to Tracy and gave her a big hug. “Lucky for you, it’s my weekend to work. So at least you won’t be completely alone. I know I’m no Fred though.” Tracy laughed. “ I can only handle one Fred. Thank goodness you are you and not him. You are golden with Allison, and I’m so appreciative of your help. I needed the laugh too. Thank you for that.” Tracy pulled back with dish towel in hand, and met Susan’s smile with her own. Susan inquired, “anything I need to know about our pretty princess tonight?” Allison smiled up at Susan again as she had rolled over to where Tracy and Susan were standing near the entrance from the dining room to the kitchen. “Hi!” Allison said slightly more enthusiastically this time. Susan crouched down with a smile, pushed a loose hair back from Allison’s face and responded, “hello little princess. I’m just touching base with mommy before we get rolling on your cares.” Standing back up, Susan meets Tracy’s eyes again. “Nothing out of the ordinary I don’t think. The biggest thing is that strep throat and head lice are going around school again. So just keep an eye out. Sometimes I feel like I’m sending her into a huge germ factory, but I know socialization is important too.” Tracy sighed and Susan nodded. Allison has a nurse that goes with her everyday to school because the school insists, but only PCA services in the evenings, and no coverage as Allison sleeps at night. Most nights Tracy says Allie (her nickname for her daughter), is a great sleeper. On occasion Tracy will be up with her during the night and then need to nap during the day while the kids are in school, but thank goodness it isn’t too often. Life is not easy for this family. Susan feels blessed she is able to help them out and make a little money at the same time. Susan looks down again, “whatcha say Allie? Should we get your bath going?” Allison in return smiles in return and her arms and legs begin to move in excitement. “Okay then pretty princess, I’m going to put you back on your mat while I get your meds, bath supplies, and run your water. Sound good?” A quiet, “yeah, yeah,” could be heard and both Susan and Tracy smiled. Allison may require more assistance than most, but her positive attitude and adorable behavior made up for it in spades. After Allison’s cares we’re all completed, Susan and Allison joined Mom in the kitchen at a smaller table than the one in the dining room. The family rarely used the actual dining room because the kitchen was much easier to clean with laminate flooring than the carpet in the dining room. Carpet in a dining room had always seemed like an odd choice to Susan, but supposedly it was already there when the family moved into this house due to needing a house that was more accessible for Allie’s wheelchair. Allie’s bedroom was the only one on the main

floor, but Mom had a baby monitor upstairs and a futon in Allie’s for tough nights. Susan buckles Allie into her wheelchair, places her tray on it, and then puts a clothing protector over her clothes to help keep her clean as she eats supper. If the family had another bathroom, Allie could bathe later in the evening, but with three other people in need of bathing, they had to space things out. They had a half bath on the main floor, another in the basement, and a tub with shower upstairs. The half baths simply didn’t have room for a shower or tub, but it had been considered several times. Mom had called the boys down on the intercom system and Alistar began to set the table for supper while Addison sat down with his ear buds in and music so loud, Susan could hear it across the table. “Adds… Adds, Addison!” Mom yelled across the room. Addison looked up to see both Mom and Susan looking at him, and took one ear bud out. “Music off son. You know music that loud can damage your hearing.” Addison turns the music off, takes the other earbud out and places his phone back in his back pocket. “Whatever Mom. You’re just trying to scare me again.” Susan looked at Addison before speaking. “Actually Adds, it’s called sensorineural hearing loss. The loud music or noise causes damage to the hairs and cells in the ear and if enough damage, they do not regenerate to fix themselves. You’re awfully young to go deaf there bud. We studied this in college, and it’s common in musicians, people in war zones, construction workers and anyone around lots of loud noises.” Addison’s eyes got big, thinking his mom was just being a nag. “Okay Mom, “ he brushes his wavy, light brown, shoulder length hair out of his eyes. “I’m sorry I gave you attitude. I’ll try to turn it down some.” Tracy smiles and walks around the small table that seats six, and gives Addison a hug. “Thank you for apologizing and admitting when you are wrong. All people should be so humble.” With that, Tracy put supper on the table and they all ate, but Alistar and Addison as usual, eat like they have bottomless pits in place of their stomachs, and there are no leftovers of the fried chicken, squash, and dinner rolls. Everyone helps clean the table and leaves Addison to his dishes even though he grumbles. Luckily for Addison, he has a brother to alternate with. Susan would have loved that! She did have her Luna, Kyle’s mate, but she was usually busy with the kids. Of course they also had a dishwasher, so Susan really shouldn’t complain too much. At 7:30 PM, Susan began Allie’s bedtime routine and by 9 PM, Allie was asleep, Susan had finished her charting and left for home. The drive was short, but Susan’s mind was racing the whole way about Travis and her brother’s advice to befriend him. What would she say or do? He had asked her out, should she have agreed? Susan once home gathers pajamas and takes a quick shower. Once finished she heads to the kitchen for a refillable bottle of ice water. Tia (formerly Tessa, Luna of High Ridge Pack) sat at the table with Kyle deep in discussion. With the ice cracking and water running, Susan couldn’t hear what they were saying, even with her stronger than human hearing. Tia looked upset though, and Kyle was holding her hand as her scowl deepened. “I don’t want to relocate again unless it’s to reunite our pack. I’d rather fight!” With that strong statement, Tia left the room in a huff. Susan heard Kyle sigh loudly, then growl and put his hands in his hair like he was going to pull it out.

“What’s wrong Kyle?” Susan asked. “I thought I better tell Tia about the wolf you met at the college. Now she is scared for our four kids, but does not want to leave here for another city. Unless we are building new, permanent pack lands in the countryside where we can run, she wants to stay here.” Kyle says after he had met Susan’s eyes as she had walked toward him after Tia stomped out. Susan puts her hand on his shoulder with a sad look on her face. “I’m so sorry if I put us in danger. Maybe I should move by myself so you guys are safer?” “No way in hell are you living alone when there are other wolves around. This is not your fault Shelby, err Susan, anymore than it is mine. We knew it was inevitable given enough time. For now, we are staying, but keep a go bag in your trunk just in case we have to leave in a hurry.” Kyle sighed and patted her hand now on his shoulder. “I know I don’t tell you often enough, but I’m proud of the person you’ve become Susan. You are smart, caring, independent, and not afraid to stand your ground. That’s all I ever hoped for you. Anything else is just icing on the cake.” Kyle finally gives her a weak smile. “Aww thanks big brother!” Susan kisses him on the cheek and returns his weak smile with a genuine one. “I assume the pups are asleep?” Kyle simply nodded. “ I have homework to do, so I’m going to go study in my room. Have a good night. Hopefully this will all turn out for the best.