Gramma

George's mother went to the door, stopped there, came back, and touched George's hair.

"I don't want you to worry," she said. "You'll be all right. And Gramma, too."

"Sure, I'll be okay," George smiled.

"George, are you sure..?"

Are you sure about what? Are you sure that you're not scared to be alone with Gramma? Was that what she was going to ask? If it was, the answer is no.

After all, he wasn't six anymore, when they had first come here to take care of Gramma, and he had cried with terror whenever Gramma had wanted to hold him. She held his brother Buddy, and Buddy was alive... but Buddy was two years older. Now Buddy had broken his leg and was at the hospital in Lewiston.

"I'll be fine. Tell Buddy to stay cool."

"You've got the doctor's number if something goes wrong. Right?"

"Right," he said.

He smiled. Did the smile look okay? Sure. Sure it did. He wasn't scared of Gramma anymore. Mom was going to the hospital to see Buddy, and he was just going to stay here and be cool. No problem.

Mom went to the door again, "If she wakes up and asks for her tea..."

"I know," George said. He saw how scared and worried she was. She was worried about Buddy. "I know all that, Mom. Go."

"You're a good boy, George. Don't be scared. You're not scared of Gramma anymore, are you?"

"No," George said. He smiled. "Tell Buddy that I'm sorry that he broke his leg."

"I will," she said. She smiled, too, but her smile was sad - a woman of about fifty with two sons, one thirteen, one eleven, and no man. "And remember, Dr. Arlinder..."

"Sure," he said. "You'd better go now."

"She'll probably sleep the whole time," Mom said. "I love you, George. You're a good son."

She closed the door behind her.

George went to the window and watched her get into their old car. Now she looked so sick, so worried. George felt bad for her. If Mom wasn't so worried and scared, George would've been almost happy. He didn't feel bad for Buddy who liked to tease him. Broken legs weren't a big problem. On the contrary, George was looking forward to some temporary peace and quiet around the house.