Chapter 47: Mom wants to know

The next morning I woke up to the smell of coffee and the soft sound of gospel music playing from the radio.

Mom gave me a huge smile and put aside the newspaper. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down opposite her.

She glanced at the mug in my hand. "You drink it black?"

"I had to learn to appreciate it that way. Diabetes."

Her smile fell away. "Oh that's terrible. Do I have diabetes, too?"

I nodded. "Yeah, but not nearly as bad as mine. You actually take care of yourself better."

"What …" She seemed to take a minute to think about what she wanted to say next. "What am I like in the future?"

Oh crap, that was a loaded question. "Well, you aren't exactly the way you are now. I think you are calmer, but you also are less patient, if that makes sense. For instance. I am taking care of you because you just had rotary cuff surgery."

Mom reached up and rubbed her shoulder, her eyes steady on me.

"I come over every day after work. I give you a bath-"