Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 69 Change Of Plans

*Trisha*

"Where is everyone? Still at the Avalon?" Casey walks out into the kitchen and yawns.

"Yeah, I think they are on their way home though." I flip a pancake and look over at Casey. "Hungry?"

"Always."

"You and Jonah were meant for each other." I laugh.

The elevator opens and the rest of the gang comes in. Nate seems rushed though.

"Hey. Pancakes?" I ask as he whizzes by me.

"No time. I'm late. Sorry, love."

"Late for what?" I cancelled everything on the calendar for Nate today. He doesn't have anything scheduled. "Late for what?" I yell a little louder but hear the shower turn on. "What is he late for?" I look over at Paul.

"Coffee. I need coffee." The bodyguard grunts and heads to the coffee pot already brewing.

I look over at James and try to fake a slight smile for him, but it falls flat. He has already been crying today. I put the spatula down and turn off the stove so I can greet him.

"Hi." I say softly and give him a hug.

"Hi." James answers dryly.

"You should eat something, James. Sit down. I'll get you set up." I kiss his lips and rest my forehead on his with my eyes closed. "You ok?" 

James doesn't answer. Instead, he hugs me again and hides his face in my hair.

"Mornin." Jonah says in a solemn way, already feeling the vibe for the day. "Hey James. Your sister Ashley called. She said your mom is doing that "thing" again and wanted to know if someone could bring you by. What's that thing?"

"Shit." James apparently knows exactly what "that thing" is. "How long has it been?"

"She called about an hour ago. The girls gave the nurse, Claudia, a day off. What's that thing?" He asks again.

"Shit." James repeats. "I wasn't planning on going there today. Can you bring me? Like right now? My mom is only going to get worse until I show up."

Now I get what is going on. James's mom has dementia, and I have a feeling she overheard the news about her son. She only wants James and must be giving everyone else a hard time.

"I can go with you if you like." I offer but James shakes his head. 

"No. I gotta go alone. She's in one of her moods. Sorry, Trisha."

I swallow hard and nod. It seems like James never wants me to join him when he has something going on with his family. He'd bring Julia in a heartbeat. That's why she's so close with his sisters. But James is different with me and I'm not sure why.

*******

"Do you want to go in alone still? I can wait in the car." Jonah pulls up at my mother's house.

"No, you can come in. I'm sure you understand a little about dementia. I really ju-just didn't want Trisha to have to deal with this." I explain how when my mom looks into my eyes, she sees her deadbeat prickhead of a husband though I think Jonah already knew this story. "The only time she can look in my eyes and know it's me is if I've been crying. Because Joe never cried. He would beat us if we cried because it's a sign of weakness."

"Geez, seriously?" 

I guess Jonah wasn't aware of that part. 

"Well, your mother is in luck because you've been crying your eyes out night and day lately."