Chapter Twenty-four #2
Ren’s a special guy. I’m all in, whether I have to wait a year or even two. I want him in my life. I don’t know who I am anymore. But I like this person.
I give Jack a quick hug. “See you soon.”
“Sweet Bree. I look forward to it. Ren’s lucky to have you.” Jack says the last sentence while looking at Allison.
Suddenly everything about this situation feels creepy. I leave in a hurry, eager to escape. It’s not until I’m outside of the building that I realize I left my purse in Allison’s room.
I trudge back inside, feeling anxious to return to the safety of my townhome. I enjoy my peaceful visits with Allison. Once Jack arrives, the mood in the room changes.
I enter the foyer to Allison’s room. Patty is placing a large bib on her. Jack’s standing at the counter where the microwave and small refrigerator are located. There’s a mirror lining the wall behind the microwave, probably so nurses can see what’s going on behind them
I can see what Jack’s doing. Allison’s tray sits on top of the microwave. The microwave beeps, then Jack pulls out the bowl of pulverized food.
Sweet. He’s heating it up for her. I’m sure it makes it a bit more palatable.
But then he takes a small plastic bag out of his pocket. He empties a powdery substance into the bowl and starts to stir the contents.
My blood runs cold.
With no warning, his eyes snap up and meet mine in the mirror. His face is a hard mask, his eyes made of stone.
I fake the warmest, sweetest smile I’ve ever managed in my lifetime. I deserve an Oscar. “Jack, you’re giving her the ‘good stuff,’ aren’t you? Just like you did for me. You’re the best. Admit it.”
His face softens just a touch. “I…uh…”
I walk closer to him. “Allison needs you. Don’t worry, I understand. The ‘good stuff’ helped me so much, and I know it will help Allison too. No worries. Your secret’s safe with me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I forgot my purse.”
As I turn, he grabs my upper arm with unexpected force. “Bree,” he bites out.
I hold my broken arm close to my body, protecting it. “What is it? What’s wrong?” I say as innocently as possible. I don’t wince, but I know I’ll have a bruise from his forceful grasp.
“She’s ready,” Patty announces. “Better hurry. She’s having a hard time keeping her eyes open.”
Jack breathes out, sounding frustrated. “Never mind. I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“No, not at all. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s always stressful to see Allie. It never changes, no matter how many times I see her. It’s rough, you know?”
“I can’t even imagine. It’s hard for me, and I didn’t know her before the accident.”
I turn to leave once again, and he releases my arm. It’s stinging from the strength of his grip.
“Hey, Patty. Just forgot my purse.” I grab it, and once I’m out of Jack’s sight, I run to my car as fast as my healing ribs will allow.
When I get back home, I close and lock the door behind me, breathing so hard, it feels as though each breath is scraping through my lungs.
What did I just witness?
A kind father-in-law helping his sweet daughter-in-law? Or something more sinister than that?
I pace back and forth, unable to relax as my thoughts whirl through my mind.
Allison is given sedatives to help her relax and sleep. As much sedatives as they can possibly give her without killing her.
Half the time, she’s calm and peaceful. The sedatives are working on those days.
Yet there are so many nights where she’s agitated, anxious, aggressive. Angry. Screaming. Her irritation lasts into the daytime hours due to lack of sleep.
Ren says she’s sundowning. Or it’s just the effects from her brain damage. Maybe a combination of both.
Except when I see her in the late afternoon, she’s calm. Almost tranquil. Always. Every time.
Does that make sense?
I suppose she’s exhausted by the end of the day. Unless…
Then it hits me. If the scenario is sinister, everything falls into place. I’m almost scared to think the words.
Could it be because the meds someone has secretly given her have worn off in the late afternoon? Is that even possible?
I can’t believe my thoughts are going to such dark places. But I saw Jack put something in Allison’s food with my own two eyes. I am a witness. Once Jack realized I saw it, he was upset. Practically distraught.
Why is Allison calm in the late afternoon? Why is she so agitated at night? Is it because Jack has put something in her dinner? Something that affects her adversely?
If that’s the case, he knows how it’s affecting her. He knows, and he’s continuing to do it anyway.
What is he giving her? Is it helping…or is it hurting her?
The Jack I know would never hurt Allison. But why does Allison grab my arm when he arrives? Is she scared of Jack?
No, that doesn’t add up. Jack is a family man, loving and kind. He raised Ren, and he’s perfection.
My imagination is running away with me. I’ve watched far too many true-crime shows on Netflix.
I’m being silly. Jack is giving Allison “the good stuff.” Something that helps calm her down.
Of course he is. Otherwise, her sundowning would be much worse.