JULIET
After an exhausting dayat the office, I make the trip out of the city to see my mom at Meadow View. A part of me hopes that it’ll take my mind off things, but even when I’m far away from the Sterling Cross building, walking down the soothing, pastel-colored halls of the rest home, I can’t stop thinking about Caleb Sterling. I only saw him once today, thanks to my quick reflexes. But that one time was more than enough to remind me:
I’m in over my head.
And what about tomorrow? And the next day? I can’t keep diving down the hallway or into a conference room whenever he shows his face. That’s not exactly in my job description, and Victoria already hates me, as it is. She looked like she wanted to kill me when Caleb came out and asked me to take notes for his meeting.
I sigh.
Sooner or later, I’m going to have to face him. And not throw myself into his arms.
When I get to my mother’s room, she’s sitting by the window, staring out—at the brick wall. I wish I could get a better view for her, she always loved spending time in the garden, but this small, basic room is as much as I could afford.
And even now, I’m running late on payment.
Still, I made it as cheerful as I could, with a brightly colored quilt, her favorite books, and a comfortable chair.
I kiss the top of her head and sit down beside her. “Hi, Mom!”
She only glances at me for a moment. The look in her eyes, sadly, is one I’ve started to get used to. It’s blank. I’m as interesting to her as that brick wall. And she recognizes me even less.
It’s a sad fact of this disease that the mom I knew and love is slipping away, faster every day.
I get glimpses of her, every so often, on her good days.
But apparently, this isn’t one of them.
I bite back my disappointment. “Look what I got you,” I say, reaching into my bag. I pull out a couple of bear claws that I got at the corner bakery. They’re her favorite. I hold one out, but when mom looks up again, she frowns at me.
“What do you want?” Her voice rises in confusion.
“It’s alright,” I try to soothe her. “I just brought you a snack.”
She blinks. “Do you work here?”
“No,” I answer sadly. “I’m just visiting.”
She looks away, dismissing me. “I don’t need anything.”
Her voice is so distant, my heart aches. This is the woman who spent every day of my childhood telling me how much she loved me… And now some days, she doesn’t even know who I am. Sometimes, she’ll let me read to her, or talk for a while as if I’m one of the staff, but I guess today isn’t one of them.
“I’ll just leave these here,” I tell her softly, placing the pastries on the table. “In case you get hungry later.”
I slip out, and head back down the hallway.
My phone buzzes; it’s a message from Olivia.
‘Meet me tonight at 7.’ It’s an address in my neighborhood. Clearly, if she’s making the trek to me, she’s eager for an update.
But what am I going to tell her? ‘Sorry, I started snooping… And then got waylaid by an epic kiss.’?
“Maybe she’ll remember you next time.”
I look up to find the nurse, Joanie, approaching. I nod and put my phone away. “I hope so.”
She taps mom’s door, and leans inside. “Hello, LeAnne, why don’t we take you into the garden for a little bit? It’s a nice evening. Getting warmer out there, and I know how you love those flowers.”
My mom’s eyes light up. “Yes. Thank you, Joanie, I’d like that.”