Page 27 of Never Fall Again

He could almost see his mom’s smile through the phone. She was a family medicine doctor by training. But small-town mountain life meant that she took care of everyone from the cradle to the grave. And helping a mother bring a life into the world was a highlight for her. “She’s alone. The dad ran off. I don’t want her by herself at the hospital.”

“Mom, you don’t have to convince me. Do I need to come get Minnie?”

“No. If you can pick up Abby from school, someone will meet you there with Minnie.”

“Got it. Go work your magic.”

“Love you, sweetheart.”

“Love you too.”

Cal set an alarm—if he was late, Abby would never let him hear the end of it—and tried to cram four hours of work into two.

Cal pulled into the school parking lot at 2:30 p.m. on the dot and parked beside a familiar van. His uncle Mike opened the sliding door, and Aunt Minnie’s smiling face peered out.

“Cal!” Hers was one of the most beautiful smiles in the world. Her voice had a hint of a lisp and was pitched just below ear-piercing levels. He stood by the door and waited for her to climb out of the van. Aunt Minnie was sixty-one. She’d been born during a time when common wisdom said her family should leave her in a nursing facility and go about their lives.

The only time he ever saw Granny Quinn lose her cool was when she told the story of the doctors explaining to her and Papa that bringing Minnie home would be a mistake. That they should think of their other children and forget Minnie had ever been born.

No one knew for sure what had happened to Aunt Minnie. His mother’s current theory was that Minnie had had a stroke during delivery, but she wasn’t certain. Even with the latest technology and testing available, Minnie was a mystery—and as far as their family was concerned, their own personal miracle.

She had been a fragile baby. They thought they would lose her more than once. But she always bounced back. It was years before she could walk, and she still had an unusual gait. She was short. Not quite five feet. And Granny had waged a war with Minnie’sweight for decades. The war was complicated by the fact that Minnie didn’t care that she wasn’t supposed to have Oreos and ice cream and potato chips three times a day. Minnie’s cognitive impairment was significant, and as Granny aged, caring for her had become more challenging.

A few years earlier, Cal’s aunts and uncles called a family meeting and informed Papa and Granny that now that their own children were grown, there was no reason they couldn’t help with Minnie. A schedule was drawn up, but it was loosely followed.

Taking care of Minnie was simply something their family did. And, if they could keep her out of the fridge, Minnie was easy. She was friendly and treated all her nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews like they were her own personal minions.

No one minded.

“Minnie, want to walk with me to find Abby?”

Minnie’s head bobbed enthusiastically. Abby was one of her favorites.

“Thanks, Cal. When your mom called, I told her it was fine for Minnie to stay with me, but I promised the boys I’d watch their practice this afternoon. She thought Minnie would prefer to hang out with you.”

Minnie grinned. “Cal’s office is fun.”

Cal wrapped an arm around Minnie and pulled her close. “I’ll have you know that I finished all my work. We aren’t going to the office. We’re going back to my house.”

“With Abby?”

“With Abby.”

Minnie’s eyes rolled up and to the side. A sure sign that she was thinking about something. “Marshmallows?”

“I might have some marshmallows we can roast. And some graham crackers. And chocolate. But if Granny finds out, she’ll skin us both.”

Minnie’s laughter was the best.

“I’ll swing by your place later and pick her up.” Uncle Mike laughed. “I promised her burgers for supper, so don’t let her eat too much junk.” Uncle Mike closed the van door.

Cal and Minnie waited until he was gone before crossing the parking lot.

Mrs. Bunney buzzed them inside and stood behind her desk as they entered. “Hey, Minnie! Hey, Cal! What are y’all up to today?” Mrs. Bunney had been the elementary school receptionist when Cal went to school there. She’d seen a lot of Quinns and Shaws walk through her doors. Not to mention that she’d gone to school with some of Cal’s aunts and uncles, including Aunt Minnie.

“We’re here to pick up Abby. But it wasn’t planned, so I don’t have the car tag or anything. I’m on the list though.”

“Of course you are.” Mrs. Bunney walked around her desk and made eye contact with Aunt Minnie. “And Minnie? What about you? I haven’t seen you in ages. You doing all right?”