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“Well done, Keira,” Grace praised, her attention shifting to me too. “We are trying a new exercise. Every time she gets confused or feels like her realities might be mixing, we mention three things that are real and present around her.”
“To keep her in the present,” I whispered, stunned, realizing what she was doing.
Grace’s nod confirmed it. “It helps her differentiate the present from her delusions. Or at least, that is what we are trying to achieve.”
A small smile curved my mother’s lips, happy she had avoided an incident, and I reached for her hand, bringing it to my lips for a kiss. “That was amazing, Mom.”
“Now, pick up your backpack from the floor. I raised you better than that,” she chided, and Grace and I chuckled.
“Yes, ma’am.” I did as I was told, but when I placed it on my lap, my cell phone slid from the pocket, falling onto the padded seat between us.
“And who is this?” she asked, picking it up the moment she noticed the picture on the screen. Her eyes narrowed on me. “I thought you didn’t have a girlfriend.”
My lips twitched, but I didn’t answer. “Give it back.”
Her left arm stretched out of my reach, handing the phone to her accomplice. “What do you think, Grace?” Mom’s eyebrow lifted as she kept her eyes on me.
“She’s a friend,” I defended, very poorly by the looks of it.
“I don’t know, Keira,” Grace teased, jumping in the bandwagon. “They look too chummy together to be friends. I think they are dating.”
“We arenotdating,” I argued, trying not to smirk, though I wasn’t lying. “Give me the phone,” I pressed, extending my hand to Grace.
“So, you hold all your friends like this?” Mom challenged, taking the cell from her nurse. “I don’t think so.”
“Fine. We went ononedate. Can I have my phone back, please.”
“Lord, that was your first date?” Grace stared at me, wide eyed. “What the hell are kids these days doing on a first date?! My husband courted me for like a month before I let him hold my hand.”
“Well, things were different back in the 1500’s,” I replied, and she gasped so loud I thought she would choke but my mom’s laughter drowned the sound. Grace and I joined her, enjoying seeing her so light with life.
“Can I have my cell phone back, now?”
“Oh, dear,” Mom took a calming breath, trying to catch her bearings from the laughter. “Okay, just tell me her name and I’ll give it to you.”
I knew that mischievous glint in her eyes, and I didn’t believe her for a second, but I sighed, giving in. “That’s Evie.”
“Oh, that’s a cute name,” Grace offered while Mom seemed confused.
“Where do I know that name from? It sounds familiar.”
“I don’t think you do, Mom.” I couldn’t remember any of her friends ever having that name, or anything close to that.
“You must be thinking of Evelyn, sweetie,” Grace clarified, then looked at me. “She’s a new nurse here, and she helped your mom last week.”
“Maybe I am,” Mom whispered, looking at the picture like she was trying to recognize her. “She’s beautiful…”
“Yes, she is,” I agreed, glancing at the screen too, then extended my hand to her, giving her a pointed look. “I’m waiting.”
“For what?” she asked, faking confusion, and hid the phone behind her back.
“Okay, that’s enough!”
Her squeal rang in the air when I stood and tackled her on the bench, her back falling on the padded seat as I tried to get the phone from her. Mom’s loud laughter danced around us freely while she squirmed, holding the phone for dear life so I wouldn’t get to it.
Laughing with her, I tickled her, remembering how easily she gave up her fights when tickles were involved. Dad always won.
“Okay, okay, I yield!” she screeched, pulling her good arm out and offering me the phone.
