“There must be something we can do,” Kara urged. She knew when to be quiet and let Mom think. She took her time putting some water on for tea. Before getting their mugs out, she suddenly sat down at the table; Kara did the same.
“Give Neil a call,” Mom began. “You have to tell him about tonight, anyway. Fill him in on what happened and see what he has to say. Scott’s next…the three of you should come up with a way to help Suzanne. Maybe get her out, somewhere.”
Kara called Scott first, since he knew they were going to Casa today.
“Hey, what’s up?” He asked.
“I told you about Suzanne’s mom, Eleanor. We went to the half-way house where she lives, just to get a look at it. When Mom pulled in front of Casa, Suzanne got out of the car and went inside. Of course we followed. Someone asked if she needed help, so Suzanne asked if Eleanor was there.”
Kara paused, reliving the pain of what was next. “Eleanor came downstairs, looked at Suzanne and said, ‘I knew you’d come back’. Then she practically ignored us to get a cup of coffee! The Desk Lady wanted Suzanne’s number so I gave it to her. We stopped at Ricardo’s on the way home and got her to talk some. Now she’s home crying her eyes out.”
“Her grandparents have not idea, right?” Scott surmised.
“No, they don’t. I can’t stand the thought of her by herself,” Kara admitted in a shaky voice. “Mom thought we could come up with a way to get her out, but where?”
“The Onion’s too crowded on a Saturday. How about Cedardale? Dad can make reservations; I’ll call him right now.”
“I have to let Neil know Suzanne won’t be at The Onion.”
“He’s good at this. Ask him what you can say…to make her want to go. Tell him I’ll pick him up at seven. We’ll meet you at Suzanne’s.”
“I still don’t know exactly what to do,” Kara questioned, already stressed.
“Mom can help with that; see you around seven-thirty.”
After Scott hung up she stared at her phone. Kara looked at the time; there wasn’t a moment to waste. She speed-dialed Neil, telling him what happened with Suzanne and what Scott said. There was a pause, then he told her to get ready. He’d text her and Scott his plan.
The warmth of the shower was soothing enough to clear her mind for a sec. She wrapped her hair in a towel and searched her closet, waiting for the text. Her phone soon beeped with Neil’s ‘plan’. It was a list of logical steps, down to what she should wear. Kara tore through her closet looking for the right sweater and skirt and put them on. She faced the full-length mirror.
“Neil’s right,” Kara agreed. “I’m more convincing dressed like this, instead of jeans.”
She raced downstairs to find Mom.
She was in the kitchen, finishing a crossword puzzle. She looked over her glasses at Kara.
“You look nice to be on your way to a fire,” she observed, referring to
her hurried manner.
“Mom…you have to call Suzanne’s grandparents,” she blurted.
“Sure…and say what?”
“Tell them Scott’s dad is giving him a birthday party at Cedardale…it’s a
surprise. I’ll tell Suzanne more when I get there, and help her get ready.”
Mom reached for the phone and called the grandmother. Kara saw Mom nod to the expected ’she’s not feeling well’. Mom said how important this was and Kara would be over to explain. She said ‘bye’ before more was said.
Kara had her pea coat on by the time Mom hung up.
“I’ll give you a ride,” she insisted, finding her key fob in no time.
In the car, Kara mentally reviewed The Plan. Neil left out exactly what to tell Suzanne. Once in her room the rest was up to her. Like Scott said, she had to WANT to go to Cedardale. An emotional panic overwhelmed her.
“Any ideas on what to say?” She nervously asked Mom.
“Get her to talk about what happened at Casa…like we did at Ricardo’s this morning,” Mom began. “She could be angry at us for taking her. Go with it and just listen. When the time is right, give her a hug.”
They were at Suzanne’s way too soon. Kara’s heart beat faster as they pulled in the driveway. She opened the car door and felt Mom’s hand on her arm.
“You’re a good friend, Kara…it’s what you do best.”
5-COMPASSION
She rang the doorbell and the grandmother quickly answered, inviting her in. Kara was painfully aware of fading headlights as Mom backed out the driveway.
She forced a smile and stepped inside with a cheerful ‘hello’, masking her doubt about what to do.
“Suzanne hasn’t come out of her room, not even for supper,” her grandmother said.
“She doesn’t know how important tonight is,” Kara paused. “Mind if I give it a try?”
It almost seemed the grandmother knew more about today. “You know where her room is,” she gladly said, pointing to the stairs.
Kara tried not to look rushed on her way up. After a quick knock she stepped inside. Just as she thought the room was dark. There was a curled up mound under the covers. Kara felt the side of the wall until she found a light switch. She closed the door behind her and went over to the bed.
Suzanne had a down comforter pulled over her head. She raised up long enough to see who it was.
Kara sat down on the bed next to her. “I thought you’d like to see what I’m wearing.”
“I’m not going to The Onion,” Suzanne hoarsely whispered.
“Think I’d look like this for The Onion?” Kara was hoping to get Suzanne from under the covers. She did stick her head out to look.
“You look nice,” she observed.
“Didn’t your grandmother tell you? It’s Scott’s birthday! We’re going to Cedardale; just the four of us.” Kara had her attention and continued. “His dad wants this to be a surprise. Scott and Neil will be here any minute.”
Suzanne folded the covers back. “If it’s his birthday, why haven’t you said something? I don’t have a present or even a card.”
Neil said she would question this; Kara was ready with an answer. “Scott doesn’t like birthdays, or cards and presents. That’s why we have to spring this on him.”
“He doesn’t like birthdays?” Suzanne sat up a little. “Why not?”
“I think it’s because his dad’s always at the hospital. Who wants to spend a birthday alone?”
Suzanne cleared her throat. “I so get it. Dad’s usually on base.”
With that, Kara went over to her closet and saw a skirt like she had on. She heard a sob and a hiccough from Suzanne, like at Ricardo’s.
“Can I ask you something?” Suzanne began. “Does Scott…have you ever seen any pictures? You know, of his mother.”
They made