Over the next three weeks, Nora helped Frederick with his science project and Frederick helped Nora with her physical therapy.
"Mama, no," Frederick pulled the walker out of her reach before she could use it to help her up. Frederick was good at making sure Nora didn't overdo it. "I can get you whatever you need."
"I need to go to the bathroom," Nora smiled.
Frederick pushed the walker back towards her, "sorry I can't help with that. Well, I can help you move around, but..."
"That's okay, I knew what you meant."
"Do you need me?"
Nora pulled herself up, "thank you sweetheart, but I'm good."
Nora was really enjoying working on the science project with Frederick.
"Mama! I'm home," Frederick yelled as he entered the house one day. Nora walked into the hallway and smiled, "you can use your cane now?!" Frederick smiled.
"Yep, but I can't overdo it. I'm sure your father won't let me."
Frederick was excited about Nora's progress. He ran into the kitchen and put his things down next to his chair. He looked up and noticed that Nora was struggling a bit. Frederick walked over and took her hand and arm in his hands, "you okay?"
"It's just a bit strenuous right now," Nora said as the boy helped her walk to the table. Frederick helped Nora sit and got her a glass of water. Nora drank half of it and Frederick refilled it. He rubbed her back while she tried catching her breath. It made him nervous when Nora was out of breath because that's how she felt before her stroke.
"Should I get dad?"
Nora put her arms flat on the table and placed her head down on them, "maybe," she whispered.
Frederick was afraid to leave her alone, but he had to find his dad. "Pop," Frederick found the man in the hall, "mama needs my dad, but I don't want to leave her."
"You go find your dad and I'll go sit with her," John could tell that something was wrong by the fear in Frederick's face. "Nora," John entered the kitchen and found his daughter the way Frederick left her. He sat in the chair to her left and started rubbing her back, "tell me what's wrong."
"Can't right now," Nora was struggling with her breathing.
"Dear God, Nora," Frasier ran into the kitchen, "Frederick told me everything and I called an ambulance."
"Thank you," Nora said.
"Darling, you need to sit up," Frasier helped his wife to sit up better. He saw her face for the first time and saw how terrified she was. He leaned forward and placed his forehead on her, "it's going to be alright," he whispered, "you're going to be just fine. I promise you." Frasier kissed his wife and Frederick ran to let the paramedics in.
At the hospital, Nora was given a breathing treatment and told by the doctor to only use her cane for a half-hour each day max. She had basically worn herself out to the point that she was too tired to breathe properly. He sent the Cranes home with some oxygen tanks and more breathing treatments. The next time Frederick saw Nora, she was sitting in her wheelchair at the table with her oxygen canal on. He turned to leave, but his father saw him, "Hey, Frederick," Frasier greeted his son, "how about an after school snack?"
"Can I take it to my room?"
Nora and Frasier looked at one another, "come here," Nora waved the boy over. "What are you feeling?"
Frederick hesitated until Nora placed her hand on his, "I feel like this is my fault. That you were rushing to be able to use the cane so you could go to the fair."
"Wrong," Nora said, "I exhausted myself because I'm stubborn and I'm tired of being helpless. Sweetheart, I have been having a difficult time not being able to do something when I need to or want to. I told you that I wouldn't go to the fair unless you wanted me to. That's why I'm helping you with something I have no idea about. Will you stop blaming yourself?"
"I'll try, thanks mama," Frederick hugged Nora, "I'm glad you're okay."
"Me too, honey. Me too." Frederick pulled out of the hug and sat in his seat, "you still want to work on your project today?"
"Yeah, but if you don't feel up to it then you can take a pass."
"I'm up for it," Frederick stared at her unsure, "how about your dad stays in here with us?"
"Okay, dad?"
"Do I finally get to join the club?" Frasier joked, "Gee, I was never invited to do anything. Well, I have been invited to leave."
"Are you done?" Nora asked.
Frasier sat in a chair across from his wife and stuck his tongue out at her. Frederick laughed, "I am definitely the mature one here."