Mom rushed to the kitchen so she could fix supper. Tannie started back to her room to watch TV. Butt and I played paper football on the floor. Halfway down the hall, though, Tannie turned back and asked Mom, “Grace, do you need some help with supper?” Mom answered, “No. I can do it myself. But thanks all the same.” Tannie stood there watching Mom until Mom looked up from chopping an onion. “What?” Mom said in sort of a snippy way. “I said I can do it.” Then Mom tried to sound nicer. “You should go rest, Tannie. After supper and after I vacuum, I’ll help you with your shower.” Tannie leaned on her walker and didn’t say a word. She pushed her walker, one slow step at a time, all the way back down the hall and into the bathroom. I heard Tannie start the shower. I looked at Mom. Mom kept chopping onions; she must have heard it, too, but didn’t look up. I heard a big bang in the bathroom. Mom dropped the knife and flew down the hall. “Grace, all right, I could use some help,”
