Lizard People by Charlie Price Page B

got Mom to sit with me while I watched TV, until she conked out sometime around midnight.
    The next morning I left a message for Betty Lou telling her we needed a family conference and asking if she could stop by right away. I knew she had fifty or a hundred other clients, or more. I hoped she could make it soon, but no matter, I was going to stay home as long as it took to make a workable plan.
    Betty Lou called back and said she’d be by in the late afternoon and for me to phone every relative I knew about and see whether any would be willing to take care of Mom for a few months, like you would do for an ailing father or mother.
    I started with Mom’s two sisters in Utah. They each said no right off.
    I remember Mom saying her half brother and his wife in Manteca were “do-gooders.” I should have started with them. He, Arvin, said yes after a fairly bad argument with his wife, most of which I caught over the phone. If I heard right, the promise of a new car and some remodeling swung the deal. I had never met him or his wife, and I did my best to prepare them for how Mom was. He said he didn’t think it would be an impossible problem because his wife was very involved in the temple, and she and her friends were always looking for a project that would help someone.
    By noon Mom was up and in the kitchen, eating some toast and drinking fruit juice. I told her we were going to have a family meeting later today, and that I’d wake her if she was asleep. She avoided my eyes. I thought I heard her say, “I’m sorry,” as she shuffled back to her bedroom.
    When Betty Lou came, I gave her the half brother’s name, address, and phone number.
    â€œIsn’t your mother still married?” she asked.
    â€œYeah, to Dad, but I don’t think he’ll mind.”
    â€œHe won’t interfere with this plan?” she asked, watching me closely to see if I was pulling a fast one.
    â€œDad?” I may have snorted. “He took himself out of the equation a few months ago. He gives me money, but he said he’s never coming home again. He kind of washed his hands of the whole problem.”
    â€œWell, he didn’t get them very clean, did he?” Betty Lou said, frowning.
    I hated to think it, but I was ashamed of my dad. Ashamed that Betty Lou knew what a loser he was. And I wondered if I would ever forgive him. But I didn’t say that.
    â€œWell, I think he’s maybe got his own problems,” I said, instead. “He’s done a disappearing act, but he’s not really nasty. He’s just … he just won’t be involved.”
    â€œHe has to be involved enough to write you a note to school explaining your absences,” Betty Lou said, covering the bases. “Got to get the school thing square or the whole plan could cave in.”
    â€œRight. I’ll get Dad to write a note.” Screw him, Z will do it.
    I brought Mom to join Betty Lou and me in the living room. They sat. I stood.
    â€œI called this,” I said, holding Mom’s attention with my look, “because I can’t do this family thing anymore. I have to go to school and have a life of my own. I can’t stay home and take care of you, and right now, you can’t take care of yourself. Betty Lou is going to help you get settled with Arvin in Manteca.”
    Mom groaned and rolled her eyes. “Ohhhhh,” she said, like a wail. “Ben … I can’t go there. What will they think of me?” She started crying.
    Betty Lou said, “Mrs. Mander,” but I interrupted her.
    â€œMom, you’ve got to think about what’s best for me, too. I can’t take care of you here, and you won’t take care of yourself. And you need people your own age who can make sure you take your medication like you’re supposed to. I can’t help you, but Arvin and his wife can, and that’s the way it’s going to be.”
    Mom whimpered but