“No. Old people like me, they never get to leave those places. They suck the life out of you.” She spoke like she was spilling a secret, something she was sure of but wasn’t supposed to know.
He knew then he couldn’t send her to the rehab facility. He sighed and swallowed hard. “If you do what you’re supposed to do here, I’ll bring you to my house until you’re back to normal.”
Her mouth eased into a shaky smile.
He pointed at her. “That means you do everything the doctors and nurses say, even if you have to use a walker. If they tell me you’re being uncooperative, off to the facility.”
She touched his arm and her wrinkly hand looked older than it should. When he leaned close to kiss her goodbye, she rubbed his jaw. “You need a shave.”
“Be good. I’m going to check with Jaleesa.”
He le
