to bring back. You need to remember to take care of yourself as well as Lucy.”
“Thanks.” I grab the bowl with the chocolate frosting and give it a good beating. It really just gives me something to do to keep the tears from falling.
“Is Lucy up?” Abbie’s eyes take in everything. I’m not hiding anything from her.
“She’s not, but she asked me to wake her when you came around.”
“That’s very sweet. I promise I won’t be long.” Abbie glances around the kitchen. “Is there anything I can bring her? A cupcake, maybe?”
“She’d like that, although they’re still hot. The frosting will probably melt right off.”
“If that’s the worst disaster of the day, it’s nothing. Let me help you.” Abbie rolls up her sleeves and gets to work beside me.
I made enough for dozens of cupcakes. The need to do something special for our workers fills me with restless energy. Abbie takes the cupcakes from the baking pan and sets them on a rack to cool. Then she doles out fresh paper cups into the pan while I whisk the batter.
We work in silence for a time, until the next batch is loaded in the oven, then she hands me a plate with three of the cooling cupcakes on it.
“How about we make these super messy?” Abbie knows how I earned my nickname, although she never uses it.
“Sounds wonderful.” We make the ugliest cupcakes on the planet and set them back on the plate. It’s the first time I’ve smiled all day. With our work done, Abbie takes the plate.
“Now, let’s see how many of these I can get Lucy to eat.” She spins her finger in the air, pointing up at the end with a flourish.
I grin like a little kid as I lick frosting off my fingers. The icing warms on the cupcakes and is already starting to slide off and make a mess.
“Come.” I don’t know why, but I whisper like a co-conspirator. We sneak toward the guest room with smiles on our faces. Abbie follows me into my mother’s room and pulls up a chair beside Mom’s bed. I sit beside my mother and gently shake her awake.
“Mom, Abbie is here.” It takes a moment for her to rouse. That familiar sinking sensation in my gut makes me nearly sick to my stomach, but my mother stirs, and I know it’s not yet time.
“Cupcake?”
“Actually…” A smile fills my face.
“We brought cupcakes!” Abbie sets the cupcakes down with a flourish so Mom can see.
Mom’s eyes widen and spark with amusement.
“Those are the ugliest cupcakes I’ve ever seen,” she says. “But, they smell amazing.”
“Do you want some?” Abbie lifts one off the plate and takes a bite. Icing falls onto her shirt and smears across her chin. “Oh my! These are the messiest cupcakes in the world.” She turns to me. “Honey, do you mind getting me a wet washcloth. I think I’m going to need it.”
It’s official.
I love Abbie La Rouge.
Like, I love her to death.
She did that on purpose, but only because she knew Mom wouldn’t be able to eat the cupcakes without getting horribly messy. As I retreat into the bathroom, the sound of their laughter puts a spring into my step. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard my mother laugh.
I give them a moment, not wanting to intrude. Abbie comes by every week on Sunday and sometimes on Wednesday after church. She spends time with my mom while I take a breather from the oppressiveness of it all.
Or at least, I like to think I can take a breather.
The truth is I’m suffocating. I return with the wet washcloth. Abbie tells Mom all about her new beau, some judge or lawyer, who’s been sweet on her for years.
“I need to take the next batch of cupcakes out of the oven.” I pat Abbie on the back. “I’ll be back in a bit.” A quick glance at Mom and I see she’s putting on a brave face. The easiest things tire her these days, such as a simple conversation with a lifetime friend.
I leave them alone and pull out the next batch of cupcakes. After icing the first batch and starting the third, I head back to Mom’s room. It’s time to politely let Abbie know her visit needs to come to an end. I cup two pain pills in my hand and carry a glass of milk. Milk or orange juice, I try to bring something either high in sugar or high in