Miller Time

UNITED STATES—Crying, moaning bitching, babbling... they all want to go to that elusive place called home. "Mom, you get brownie points for the steps you took," Karen says. Davy (to his sister): "I'm blown away. Those are the first steps she's taken in over two months. This is gonna help you to get home. And I think your chances just got...

UNITED STATES—There is yet another miracle to follow. After therapy, the mother and her middle-aged children, Karen and Davy are in the door way to room #6. "Get me to my bed, get me to my bed," the mom croaks and gasps. "We're going to get you back to your bed," Willow says. "I know, I know: eventually," the mother mimics the...

UNITED STATES—Davy and Karen are assembled now by the bed. They're a bit strung out after a night of coffee and confessions at the local diner. "Can you do something for my head," mom groans. "It doesn't feel right." "It's so awful," Davy whispers to Karen, "I want to puke. I'm telling you, strangers inspire kindness. Family contempt." "What are you whispering...

UNITED STATES—"I didn't want to tell you over the phone, but the social worker laid down an ultimatum: they can't have her here if she doesn't show progress in therapy. They were ready to kick her out three days ago, but they gave an extension. It's a godsend you came. We being together can make a big difference." "If she...

UNITED STATES—"It seemed like you guys kept your marriage going, when everyone else's was falling apart. Like when Homer got the job in Chicago, he was on his way to the airport and then decided to turn back, and come home to you. That's a real love story." Sister Karen smiles. She holds a hand over the cup when the...

UNITED STATES—"She always says, 'How long are you staying?' And then it's, 'when are you going?' And then: 'After you're going I'm going to cry.' And then it's, 'When are you coming back?'" "She's awful needy," says Davy. "I'm there for a 10-minute visit and she says, 'Are you going to spend the night?'" "She wanted me to get the job....

UNITED STATES—Davy goes on: "Oh, sister, it's a relief to share this with you and get it off my face, my chest, you know what I mean. Imagine how I felt, I'd driven all night to be here. I'd driven down the 5 and took the James Dean Memorial Highway, and then got to the hospital. I spent time...

UNITED STATES—"The first thing I heard about mom's fall, where she broke her hip, I was pinioned by grief both for her and Tatiana." Davy squirms in the diner booth, removed from bedside. "What does pinioned mean?" Karen, his sister, asks. "Oh, a fancy word for crucified... It happened just like Tatiana's premonition. She came in the morning and there was mom...

UNITED STATES—"Are you going to stay the night?" says the mother. Hers is the last bed in the room that has a light on over the headboard of the hospital bed. "Don't go changing the subject," says the son. "I didn't know there was a subject," the mother groans. "Can you do something about my head, so it can get comfortable?" "The...

UNITED STATES—"Oh oh oh oh, it's hurting," cries the mother. "Ouch, oh god, is there something you can do?" "It wasn't till a friend from college took me aside and said you don't have to answer every question. Some are rhetorical, some are facetious. What do we do now? Isn't that right? It blew my mind. Nobody ever pointed it...