"Come, sit with me, Claire." Mum took me by both of my hands. She was sitting on the recliner and me on the stool. Mum looked deeply into my eyes. "You know how Gran is darling. I begged her to tell you, and she said she tried calling but never got you. I told her she could have left a message with your roommate that it was urgent, and you would have called. Well, that's in the past. It doesn't matter now. Sweetheart, Gran has a brain aneurysm. They found it after she had an episode a few months back. We thought it was a stroke. They told her it was inoperable but that she could lead a full life with it, but she would need to be careful. She is sedated because the doctors feel for right now it is best. They told me she looks good and that all things considered, I should be grateful. Things could be a lot worse. They told me they will wake her soon if everything keeps going the way it is going now." I looked at her in stunned silence. I did not know what to say. It was all too much. I was not in the loop of what had been going on at home. I squeezed mom's hand and rested my head on her shoulder. She hugged my close and said, "I know it is a lot to take in. Gran is an old lady, and so am I. It is just part of aging, Claire. We all get old; we all die. "

I nodded, "I know mom, I am sorry I did not call her back or call you more often. Why didn't you tell me?" Mum smiled wearily, "she made me promise I would not say anything to you and that I would let her do that herself, what do you expect, she is my mom." She shrugged her shoulder with a winsome smile. We both laughed. I understood later why she had kept quiet. Neither one of them thought it was an issue. The doctors had told Gran she could live with it to the ripe old age of 100 without it ever causing her worry. "Mom, did the aneurysm cause the heart attack, or did the heart attack make it worse?" Mom shook her head, "I don't know yet, Claire, but I will let you know when I do." I nodded, "thank you, mum, I am sorry I wasn't there for you."

I began weeping and placed my head in my hands. Mum stroked my hair, "hush now." We stayed like that for a bit. Mum got up and went back to holding Gran's hands. I walked over and played with her feet. I made sure the blankets were not too tight and that she had a little pinkie toe wiggle room. She hated when sheets were too tight on her feet. I smoothed the blankets and kissed Gran on the cheek. Then I sat on my stool and held Gran's other hand