The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan Page A

do you have written down?” I ask Lovey.
    “What to do if I ever get too sick and can’t think for myself.”
    “And where is this written down?”
    “On that piece of paper with little lines on it. I filled it out a long time ago when Joy took me to the hospital.”
    “When did Joy take you to the hospital?”
    “A long time ago.”
    “For what? What was wrong with you?”
    “I don’t remember but I didn’t die in the ambulance so it couldn’ta been all that bad.”
    “Ambulance? Why didn’t…oh, never mind. Do you remember where you put that piece of paper, Lovey?”
    “It’s somewhere safe. That’s all I know. Go find it.”
    “I will,” I say, without knowing whether she’s telling the truth or not.
     
    I sleep in a twin bed with LaTiece. She apparently rocks in her sleep, too. I slide my arms around her waist and she snuggles even closer to me, as if no one ever hugs her like this.
    When I hear somebody walking around I get up. It’s coming from Joy’s room. I hope it’s not a man. I walk down there. Her door is cracked. I tap it open and there’s Lovey standing next to Joy’s bed. I hear her snoring. I open the door and go in. “Lovey,” I whisper, “what are you doing in here?”
    She doesn’t answer me but is staring down at Joy. “We should just take a pillow and hold it over her face,” she says.
    I tap her on her shoulder. “Come on, Lovey, let’s go back to sleep.”
    She turns to leave without being ushered. I walk her back downstairs to her room. She gets in bed and I pull the covers under her chin. “Good night,” she says, and closes her eyes. I wipe the perspiration mixed with tears from mine.
     
    In the morning I’m shocked when I don’t throw up. Even after I smell LaTiece’s bubblegum toothpaste and bacon coming up the stairs. I must be over the hump. And although Lovey’s been going to the same doctor for the past four or five years, she doesn’t remember his name. It takes me almost an hour to find it. I’m put on hold for what feels like another hour but when the doctor finally gets on the line, I explain who I am and the reason why I’m calling instead of Lovey. He suggests that she have a complete blood workup before coming in for her physical. I tell him how far I have to drive. He says she can have it done on the same day but the results won’t be back for a few days. He’ll call me to discuss what he finds. He gives me back to the receptionist to schedule them both.
    At breakfast, I tell Lovey that I’ll be back down to take her. She seems happy. “Joy, why did you have to take Lovey to the emergency room?”
    “What in the world are you talking about, Marilyn? I ain’t never had to take Lovey to no hospital and definitely not in no ambulance.”
    “But that’s what she said last night, didn’t you, Lovey?”
    “I don’t know, girl.”
    “I told you, didn’t I?” Joy says like she’s pleased.
    “Regardless if it’s true or not, please, do not under any circumstances let her get behind the wheel of that car. Promise me that?”
    “Yeah. Well…”
    “I don’t want that huzzie driving my car! She’s too reckless and she drinks too much!”
    “Lovey, why don’t you shut the hell up!” Joy says.
    “Who in the hell do you think you’re talking to?”
    LL walks over and hits Lovey on her butt and I grab him by his SpongeBob pajama top. “Have you lost your mind, boy?”
    “Her being mean to my mama again and I don’t like it!”
    “I don’t care what you don’t LIKE , that’s your grandmother and you do not for any reason EVER put your hands on her like that, do you understand me?”
    He crosses his bony arms like he’s got nothing to say.
    “Do you understand me?”
    Not a word.
    “Joy, you better get this boy. And tell him something before I snatch a knot in his little behind, I’m not playing.”
    “LL don’t hit your grandma.”
    He cuts his eyes at me and uncrosses his arms.
    “I ain’t never hit Lovey,” LaTiece