I planned to leave at eight the next morning. At seven, my phone rang.
"Ruth's at the hospital," Miles said. "Dad drove her. She fell in the kitchen. She's okay, but they want to keep her for a few hours."
"Is Dad with her?"
"Yeah. I'm at the inn."
"Do you want me to come?"
A pause. "I don't want you to come because you feel like you have to."
"That's not what I asked."
"I don't know what I want."
"That's okay."
"I have to be here when the delivery people come for the desk. Dad said he'd handle it, but he won't be back in time."
I looked at the suitcase by the motel door. My car was packed. I had planned to drive home, shower, and be at work the next day. If I stayed, I would miss a shift and have to explain the absence. My manager had already given me one day off on short notice
