I was upset to hear how bad Helen's condition really was. As a doctor, I knew that dementia was a gradual disease, and there wasn't much that could be done about it. Helen was certainly old enough that it wasn't as though she hadn't enjoyed a long, healthy, issue-free life already. And I knew that it would feel worse if it was my parent that I was dealing with.
That said, Helen and I had become close since Emily's illness and death, so the idea of losing her as well hurt.
I started by making arrangements for in-home care until I could set up a place for her in an assisted living facility. I didn't know how long it would be before I found the perfect place for her, but I was going to do everything I could to ensure that wherever it was, it would be comfortable, with friendly staff and as much independence as Helen could handle. I expected we were going to have to have a long conversation to convince her that she did need to move into a care facility, rather than living at home.
And the home. I didn't even know what to do about that. At some point, I would need to go through Helen's things and figure out what was still useful and what was just trash. Imagine, going through a person's whole life of stuff. I was sure there would be boxes of photographs of people I couldn't even identify since I had never met all of Emily's cousins and other relatives.
I had already alerted the rest of the family to the situation, but they were content with leaving most of the logistics to me since Helen wasn't really close to the rest of the family.
I sighed and put my head in my hands, beginning to feel a headache coming on. I knew that I should focus on one thing at a time, but unfortunately, all the different issues seemed to be tied up together, so that I couldn't just focus on one of them.
“Daddy?” Emma asked, climbing up into my lap. She wrapped her arms around my waist and pressed her face into my chest. “I'm hungry.”
I glanced at the clock and saw, to my surprise, that it was already almost 1 o'clock. Emma had been drawing so patiently, so well-behaved, that I hadn't even noticed it was getting that late. I felt a stab of guilt as I stood up, keeping her in my arms.
“Why don't we go to Ernie's?” I suggested. “I'm craving a burger, and I bet you could do with some pizza.”
“Nuh huh,” Emma said, shaking her head. “I want mac 'n cheese.”
I hummed in response. “Ernie does a great mac 'n cheese, doesn't he?”
Emma nodded vigorously, and I had to smile.
We headed over to the diner and took a seat at one of the empty tables. Ernie came over after a moment, carrying two glasses of water. “Hey Eric,” he said. From the sly look on his face, I had to wonder what he was up to. “Did Olivia already dump you?”
I gaped at him. “What do you mean?” I asked.
Ernie shrugged nonchalantly. “It's just that Olivia was seen heading out of town with Buck yesterday morning, and they didn't come back until just a little while ago.”
I felt a stab of hurt, but I tried not to let it show. “I know Olivia had a wedding to get to yesterday,” I said. “Maybe her car broke down.”
“Maybe,” Ernie agreed, but he was still smirking. “Girl must get around. But then, you know those city girls.”
I shrugged. “It's none of my business if she and Buck are together,” I told him. “She and I weren't dating or anything. Like I said, I was just over at her place that one night so that I could get Emma's dolly.”
Ernie rolled his eyes. “That's not the only time you and Olivia hung out, though, is it?” he persisted.
“Ernie, I suggest that you shut your mouth if you don't know what you're talking about,” I snapped. I gave a pointed look at Emma, who was looking back and forth between the two of us, looking upset. I knew I shouldn't bicker with Ernie, especially not in front of the young girl, but I couldn't help but be offended by what Ernie was saying.
Ernie held up both hands. “All right, man,” he said. “Whatever you say.” He flipped open his notepad and pulled a pencil from behind his ear. “What can I get the two of you to eat?”
I spent the rest of the day stewing, even though I knew I should let it go. Ernie didn't know what he was talking about; there was no point being upset with him. Even if Olivia was doing something with Buck, that was her decision. Anyway, I shouldn't be this upset about it; Georgia had already warned me that Olivia and Buck had kissed.
But it bothered me, and I was angrier than I should have been. That night, I hired a high-schooler to come over and babysit Emma for a few hours. Then, I went over to Olivia's place, pounding on the front door until she answered. I knew I shouldn't be there, but I couldn't help myself.
When she opened the door, she looked surprised. She was also mostly naked, clad only in an oversized T-shirt. There was nothing beneath the shirt, either, if the way her perky nipples showed through the fabric was any indication. I swallowed hard and dragged my eyes back up to hers. It wouldn't do to be caught ogling her now; I wanted to have a serious talk with her.
“Hey, what's up?” she asked. “Is everything okay with Helen?”
“Am I interrupting something?” I asked bitterly, wondering if Buck might be there in the house, even now.
“No,” Olivia said, sounding surprised. “I was just baking some cookies. It's a new recipe, and I wanted to test it out before I try it with Emma next week. That is, if Emma is still going to be coming to daycare.”
“Look, I understand if you've decided not to pursue a relationship with me, but I'd appreciate a little discretion in your future affairs. The whole town is talking right now.”
Olivia blinked, looking confused. “What the heck are you talking about?” she asked.
“I know that you took Buck to the wedding yesterday and that you spent the night together.”