Unraveled by Heidi McCahan Page A

giant desk calendar with names scrawled inside the oversize squares . It’s time to embrace the 21st century, Mom. She envisioned a spreadsheet, rectangles marching across the page in formation, carrying the details of each reservation. She could design it this afternoon.
    “Which dates are you interested in?” she asked.
    “I want the loft next weekend.”
    Lauren paused. “I’m sorry the loft is occupied.”
    “But I’ve been there before. That’s the room I want. When is it available?”
    “I’m sorry. It is occupied indefinitely. We have a lovely King bed with a private bath available.” Lauren scribbled check website on a post-it note.
    “By the way, this doesn’t sound like Debbie. Who am I speaking with?”
    Lauren hesitated. “This is Lauren. May I have your name, please?” A sharp intake of breath followed by a beat of silence was the only response. “Hello? Are you still there?”
    “Yes, I’m here. Just in shock. Lauren, this is Jane Watson Merrill Montgomery. Your aunt.”
    Lauren’s stomach plummeted. Mom would flip if Aunt Jane stayed at the Inn. “Oh. H—hello, Aunt Jane. What a … surprise.”
    “Yes. Likewise. Please tell Debbie she can expect me on Friday. I suppose that King bed will have to do.” Jane reluctantly parted with her cell phone number, then hung up without saying goodbye.
    Lauren puffed her cheeks and blew out a breath, flustered by this turn of events. She cringed at the thought of adding any more stress to Mom’s already overflowing plate. Maybe we can convince Jane to get a hotel room. While she was writing the reservation on the calendar, the phone rang again. Glancing at the caller ID, she recognized her mother’s cell phone number. Oh boy. This would not be fun news to share.
    She punched the talk button. “Inn at the Cove.”
    “Hello, sweetheart. How’s it going today?”
    “Just fine until a few minutes ago.”
    “Oh no. What happened?”
    Lauren drew a deep breath. Here goes nothing. “Aunt Jane called. She’s coming on Friday and wants to stay here.”
    “You’re kidding. What did you tell her?”
    “I didn’t know what to say. We had a room available so … I’m sorry, Mom.”
    “Don’t worry about it. We’ll figure something out. Friday’s still a few days away, right?”
    Lauren carved a rectangle around Aunt Jane’s name and number, taking her frustration out on the pen and paper. First the breakfast fiasco, then she’d hurt Angela’s feelings, and now this. Couldn’t one thing go her way today? “Maybe I could call her back, tell her I made a mistake.”
    “No. We have to face this music sooner or later.”
    “How’s Granny?”
    “Surprisingly well, all things considered. I’d like for her to get some rest. And I need a shower. Would you mind coming to pick me up?”
    “Sure. Are you ready now?” Tucking the calendar back under the stack of papers, she sifted through the basket of keys and snagged the spare to her mother’s minivan.
    “Give me about ten minutes to speak with Dr. Wheeler.”
    “Okay, see you soon.” She clicked the off button and dropped the phone on the counter. After checking the laundry and re-starting the dryer, she climbed the stairs to the loft and grabbed her bag. Rummaging for her lip gloss, she dabbed on a fresh coat as she went back down the stairs. The television was on in the front room and the little girls were mesmerized by Sesame Street. Angela had fallen asleep on the couch with Gavin in her arms. A pang of regret knifed her heart as she stared at the sleeping baby.
    Seth smiled up at her from a tower of Legos he was constructing with Joshua. “Going somewhere?”
    “Mom wants me to pick her up at the hospital.” She gestured toward the children. “Are you okay watching them?”
    He shrugged. “Sure. We’re the men and we rule this house. Right, Josh?”
    Joshua grinned and kicked the tower of Legos over. “Right.”
    Lauren shook her head and slipped out the door before Seth could