“Of course, they’re welcome to come, sweetie. I don’t think the others would have a problem with it,” she assured Diane.
“Okay, great. I’ll let them know they can come.”
“Have you heard from Derek?”
“He called two days ago. He wanted his deposit back for the DJ and the catering. I told him I’m still waiting to know how much we will be refunded, but he’s adamant he wants it all back.” Diane sighed. “I think I’m just gonna empty my bank account and pay him back.”
“Don’t do that,” Tessa instructed. “I’ll pay him back.”
“Wow. Thanks, Mom. You’re a lifesaver.”
“You’re my daughter, Diane. I don’t want you stressing over something that’s not your fault. Besides, the quicker he gets his money, the less you’ll have to deal with him.”
“I love you, Mom,” Diane breathed through the receiver.
“I love you too, sweetie.”
After she hung up with Diane, Tessa prepared some lunch, and after eating, she left to go visit her parents.
“Hi, Dad,” Tessa greeted her father when he opened the door.
“Hi, sweetheart. I didn’t know you would be stopping by,” Luke greeted her with a hug and a kiss to her temple.
“I have the whole day to myself, so I thought it was a good idea to spend some time with you and Mom,” she said as she walked into the house. “Where is she, by the way?”
“She’s in the living room knitting. The doctor says that doing activities like this may reduce cognitive impairment if she does it consistently.”
“That’s good.” Tessa nodded in approval. “Is she eating more servings of vegetables and whole grains too?”
“Yes, she is,” Luke answered.
“And the oil I gave you. Does she take a spoonful before she goes to bed?”
“Every day, on the hour,” her father answered.
They made it to the living room just then. Tessa stopped to look at her mother wearing her reading glasses as she knitted. This was the strongest woman she knew. What would she do if she lost her? Shaking away the thought, she approached her.
“Hi, Mom,” she greeted.
“Tessa, sweetheart. Hi,” her mother greeted back as Tessa folded her into a hug.
“How are you?” she asked, sitting on the couch opposite.
“I’m great. Just a bit restless being cooped up in the house for so long. I feel like I need to get out and go somewhere,” her mother replied.
“Mom, you’ve always been a homebody,” Tessa reminded her.
Maria’s lips turned up in a half smile.
“Where do you want to go?” Tessa asked.
“Disney World, France, the Caribbean,” she listed.
“You’ll get to see some of those places on your cruise with Dad.”
“Oh, the cruise. I forgot about that,” Maria said, slapping her forehead with her palm.
Tessa stared at her with worry. “Mom, are you sure you’re okay?”
