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“It’s no bother. And I have no plans.”
“It appears that Jodi has no plans, either,” my father said pointedly.
“Honestly. It won’t be necessary,” I said. “But thank you for the offer.”What is it with the men in my life that I can never please either one of them?I wondered, checking my watch. “I should probably head out. I’ll just go upstairs and say hi to Mom.”
“Tell her I’ll be up in a few minutes to check on her,” Elyse said as I was leaving the room.
“Will do.” I turned to see Elyse’s hand brush against the side of my father’s arm as she reached for the pitcher of lemonade in the middle of the table. My earlier unease returned as I watchedmy father’s eyes follow her to the fridge, his lips curling into a sly smile. I turned away before I could see anything else.
—
“Hi, Mom,” I said, entering the bedroom and stopping at the foot of her bed. “How are you feeling today?”
She didn’t answer, and for a minute, I thought she might be asleep. Then I saw her legs twitch beneath her blankets and her arms shoot toward me.
I hurried toward her, not wanting to pass on an unexpected embrace. “You’re looking well,” I lied as her arms dropped to her sides before I could fill them.
She angled her head toward me, her mouth twisting around a word I couldn’t make out.
“What’s that? I’m sorry. I didn’t understand.”
She repeated the sound. I still couldn’t make it out.
“One more time.” I moved my ear to just below her mouth.
“Earrings,” she hissed, the word vibrating with impatience.
My hand reached for my ear. “Yes, I bought them a few days ago. I sold this house in Forest Hill for quite a lot of money, and so I treated myself to a little reward. You’re the first person to notice them,” I added happily. I’d been wearing them all week and Harrison hadn’t said a thing. “Do you like them?”
“No,” she said clearly.
I almost smiled. My mother’s taste and mine had rarely aligned, and she’d never been one to mince words. It was strangely comforting to realize that some things never changed.
“Earrings,” she said again.
I perched on the edge of the bed, eager to change the subject. “So, how are things going with Elyse? She taking good care of you? You like her?”
“Earrings,” my mother persisted stubbornly.
I nodded, mindful that people suffering from dementia often become fixated on inconsequential things. Had she reached thatstage? I reached for her hand, but she jerked it away. A spasm, I told myself, determined not to take it personally.
“Everything all right in here?” Elyse asked from the doorway.
“It seems that she doesn’t care for my earrings,” I answered.
“Really? I think they’re quite lovely.”
I leaned over to kiss my mother’s forehead, but another spasm suddenly shook her and I ended up with a mouthful of her hair. “Bye, Mom,” I whispered to the top of her head. “I’ll see you soon.” I moved quickly to where Elyse was standing. “I’m not sure she even knows who I am anymore,” I whispered.
“She knows,” Elyse said, laying a comforting hand on my arm. “And those really are beautiful earrings.”
“Thank you.”
“Earrings! Earrings!” I heard my mother shout as I left the room.
