For the first few days after her dad had come home from the hospital, Reagan spent most of her waking and sleeping hours at her father’s bedside. Every noise her dad made and the constant beeping of the new monitors kept her on edge. She only left his side when her mom forced her. He hadn’t had any more terrifying episodes, but that hadn’t stopped Reagan from holding her breath every day.

Once he started to improve and he spent a few more hours awake each day, Reagan had let herself work from home when she needed to. She’d even been able to sleep more than a few hours a night.

As she sat in a chair with her feet propped up on her dad’s bed, she looked over bank statements and made notes in the margins for areas where she wanted to cut back. Her phone buzzed in her lap, and she unlocked the screen to read the latest message in her group chat with Gwen and Carly.

Gwen wrote, Drinks and a little dancing on Saturday?

Not this time.

Carly joined with, Reagan, he’s been home for almost a week now. Let yourself have a moment away. You can’t care for him if you’re burned out. We promise not to keep you out long.

Gwen added, Pleeeeeeeeeeease?

Reagan sighed, dropping the phone into her lap and covering her face with her hands.

“What’s wrong?” her mom asked as she walked into the room.

Reagan sat up, watching as her mom put some of her dad’s clothes into the dresser. “It’s nothing.”

“Didn’t sound like nothing with that long sigh I heard.”

Her phone buzzed again, the notification reading ?? from Gwen. “The girls want to meet up for drinks on Saturday night. Told them maybe another time.”

Her mom switched the laundry basket to her other hip. “Nope. Give them a better answer.”

“But, Mom…”

“Don’t ‘Mom’ me. You’ve been at his bedside basically every minute since he’s been home. You need a break. You’re not good to me if you’re burned out.”

“That’s what Carly said,” she mumbled.

“I’ve always liked her.”

“What if you need me?”

“Then I promise to call you. Is that good enough?”

“I guess,” Reagan muttered as her eyes flicked to her dad’s frail body.

“Reagan, the doctor said he has at least a few weeks left. Enjoy yourself for one night. That’s all I ask.”

Reagan took a deep breath and stared at the phone in her hand. Simultaneously, she typed and said, “Okay.”

With a nod her mom left the room. Her friends responded with heart emojis. She turned her phone off and laid it on the side table. She softly took her dad’s hand and let her tears fall.

* * *