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“They’re beside you on the nightstand, and the book you’ve been reading is beside them.”
“Water?”
“I’ll bring you a glass, Daddy,” I offer.
“Did I take my meds?” he asks.
“Yes, sir. Before you brushed your teeth. You’re good till the morning,” Ezra says.
“Okay. Good night,” Daddy says.
Mom crawls in with him and turns on the lamp, and then she curls on her side as he grabs the copy ofWuthering Heights, turns to the marked page, and starts to read aloud to her.
I mouth,Good night, to my mother and follow Ezra out into the hallway.
“He should be good for the night. I’ll be back in the morning to help him shower and dress.”
“You aren’t staying here?” I ask.
“No, ma’am. Your husband has booked me in a deluxe suite at his hotel. I’m going to go order room service and soak in the hot tub,” he says.
“You do that,” I encourage.
He smiles and heads to the door.
“Ezra,” I call after him.
He turns back to me.
“Do you have to bathe and dress him every day now?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “No, your mother and brother help him with everyday tasks. I’m mostly there a few days a week to sort his medications and assess him to keep a record of his progression.”
“Okay.”
“He’s still doing well. He has days where he’s completely lucid.”
I nod. “Thank you again for flying with them.”
“You have a good night. I’ll be back in the morning.”
He walks out, and I watch out the window as Langford talks to him and Hilton before shaking Ezra’s hand.
My heart swells with gratitude for my thoughtful husband. He knows how much my parents mean to me, especially my daddy, who is suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
I keep in contact with them and try to FaceTime and call at least once a day, but the disease has been progressing, and sometimes, he doesn’t even recognize my voice. It’s like he’s talking to a stranger, and it’s scary. I know it has to be terrifying for my mother.
Every moment with him is precious.
Hilton’s truck roars to life, and when Langford returns inside, I run to him.
Burying my face in his chest, I begin to sob.
He holds me close and lets me get it all out. Then, he picks me up off my feet and carries me to our bedroom.
“I need to take Daddy a glass of water,” I mumble.
He sets me on the bed. “I’ll get it. I want to say good night anyway.”
