Those words wounded me more deeply than Vanessa’s refusal. My mother had devoted her entire life to putting everyone else first, and now she was apologizing for needing a ride to a medical appointment.
I faced my wife again. “You know how important this visit is. The doctor needs to review her latest test results.”
Vanessa let out an exaggerated sigh and picked up her purse. “And you know how tired I am of everything revolving around your mother. She’s eighty-two, David. You can’t expect the entire world to stop whenever she needs something.”
My jaw tightened, but I wouldn't argue with Mom standing there. Instead, I pulled out my phone and called Mr. Bellamy, our neighbor, a retired paramedic who lived two houses away.
