“It doesn’t feel that bad,” I told him.
“What happened to your foot?” his mother asked.
“I was clumsy and knocked a glass over,” I answered.
“Oh dear, you poor thing. I guess it’s glad you have someone like my son to take care of you. He’s always been such an attentive boy.”
“He’s an excellent caregiver,” I answered.
“Yes, he certainly is,” she replied, and I sensed there was something happening that I couldn’t see.
“You need to rest your foot,” Luke murmured. “Would you like to be outside or in the solarium?”
“Solarium!” his mother exclaimed. “Oh, my goodness. Can I have a little tour? You don’t have to show me everything, but I would love to see how the other half lives.”
I heard a curse from Luke. I didn’t think his mother had been rude, pushy, but not rude. “Luke can show you around. Like he said, my foot isn’t exactly in any shape to do a lot of walking. Besides, I’m not sure how much I could show you.”
She laughed at my little joke. Luke didn’t. I could feel his tension and wished like hell I knew what was going on. “Mom, this is her home. You don’t invite yourself to look around.”
“Oh please, look at this place. It’s big and grand and meant to impress visitors. They make these places just to show them off.”
“Mom,” he hissed.
“Why don’t I show you the solarium?” I said before things got any more tense. “Did you already eat breakfast?”
“Yes, I did,” she answered. “I would love to see your solarium.” She dragged out the word. I wished like hell I could see their faces. I knew there was a lot more being said with looks and gestures.
“This way,” I said trying to sound cheery as I led the way to my favorite room in the house.
“Wow!” she exclaimed when we walked into the room. “This is gorgeous. I feel like I just stepped into a jungle.”
I laughed. “It is a very relaxing space.”
“How do you know what it looks like?” she asked.
I flinched at the boldness of the question before quickly reminding myself she wasn’t trying to be rude. “Mom!” Luke scolded.
“It’s a valid question,” she argued.
“I’m not sure how much Luke has told you, but I only recently lost my sight. I’ve been in this room hundreds of times. While I’m sure the plants have changed, the layout is the same. It feels the same and that’s what I like.”
“He told me you were blind and not much else,” she answered, her tone snappy.
“Mom, enough,” Luke warned.
“Would you like to sit down?” I asked.
“I would love to,” she answered. “Luke dear, why don’t you bring us some tea? You do drink tea, right?”
I assumed she was talking to me. “I do, but I’m fine, thank you.”
She was clearly very comfortable making herself right at home. Luke’s hand was on my elbow, guiding me to one of the chairs. I sat down, hoping things would settle down between them. “How long have you lived her?” Charlene asked.
“I grew up here. I had my own apartment before the accident but moved back home just a couple months ago.”
“It must have been very grand to live in a place like this,” she said.
I shrugged. “It was nice. I have fond memories from my childhood.”