Once in a while, the mom I knew finds her way back to me and we talk. She asks how long she’s been sick, how bad it is, and apologizes for becoming a burden. And that’s just it—she’s not. Obviously, there are elements of this that are burdensome. Like losing Patrick and giving up my photography dreams, but how can I blame her? She did everything for me to have a good life after my dad left, so this is the least I can do.
It would be better if I could put her somewhere that specializes in memory care but there isn’t one for a hundred miles in any direction, and we couldn’t afford it anyway. The ones I looked into are beyond expensive, so I’ve accepted my lot in life. God knows, I have it better than she does.
“How about a nap?” I ask once she’s settled and dressed in clean clothes.
“Yes, I could probably rest a little,” she says, squeezing my hand. “Thank you for coming, sweetheart.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Now go back so you don’t miss a whole day of school.”
“All right.” I kiss her forehead, smile at the nurse, and make my way to the solarium.
As I come around the corner, I hear music and my step falters for a moment.
Then I see Tate.
He’s in a chair by the window, an acoustic guitar in his hands, and he’s singing “Me and Bobby McGee.”
His voice is beautiful.
I thought maybe it was a fluke when he sang that one line from the Kris Kristofferson song but no—he really has a great voice. And the guitar seems to be part of him as he plays.
I’m a little mesmerized watching. Listening. Taking in how all the residents are as engrossed as I am. How magnetic he is.
Now I’m starting to understand his rock star side—and it’s enthralling. I’ve never met a bona fide rock star before and I’m a little swept up as I watch everyone, even the nurses and orderlies, captivated by his performance.
“Play ‘Living on the Edge,’” one of the nurses calls out. “We play it here all the time.”
They do?
I’m so confused.
How am I the only one who’d never heard of Crimson Edge? I don’t listen to rock but I know who Maroon Five and Nickelback are—hell, I’ve even seen Nickelback in concert.
“Yeah, ‘Living on the Edge’!” One of the residents, a guy named Ernie who’s eighty-five if he’s a day, puts his fist up in the air.
Tate just chuckles, clears his throat, and then starts a wild melody that’s much faster than the previous song.
Living on the edge
Breaking all the rules
Gonna find some answers
I never went to school.
Baby, you’re my heartbeat
You’re everything I need
But when you turn your back
You’re gonna make me bleed.
Come on, pretty girl, there’s a star in the sky
You know you want me, I see it in your eyes
