Chapter 14
fourteen
“Why are we here?” Dad asks as we wait in the lobby of the doctor’s office.
I don’t like being here anymore than he does, but regular checkups are important.
“We have to see the doctor,” I remind him for the third time.
“Are you sick? Agatha, you need to take better care of yourself,” he chastises me.
I let him. I would rather he think it’s me than him.
That’s the first thing they taught us. We can gently try and trigger his memory to bring him back, but if he begins to get agitated, it is best to let him live in the world he is currently in.
Sometimes it’s the present, but these days it is more the past.
“Jerry Wayne,” Rachelle, one of the nurses who has been here since we started bringing Dad here, calls out.
“Hey Rachelle,” I say as we head toward her.
“Hey. How is it going today?” she asks me.
“He’s not here today.”
That’s all I need to say. She gives me an understanding smile as she turns to my dad.
“Mr. Wayne. Thank you for coming. Can we get you up on the scale?”
“Why? Agatha is the one who is sick,” he mumbles.
“Oh, of course. We need to get her weight too, but you know I always like checking on you too.”
He gives her a little smirk. “You do, don’t you? You know, I am single. We should go out sometime.”
She laughs. “Of course, but first, let me see what you got going on.”
He dutifully lets her get his weight and blood pressure before she leads us to a room.
“Any concerns?” she asks me.
“No. It’s the same. Memory is going more than not these days,” I admit.
She nods. “Will still doing okay?”
“He struggles the same as me, but we make do. We don’t want to put him in a home.”
“We aren’t putting Dad in a home, Agatha. He isn’t even old,” Dad hisses at me.
I give him a soft smile. “Of course not. I was talking about Granddad.”
He frowns. “I thought Uncle Henry was taking care of him.”
I look at Rachelle and mouth the word “sorry” before I make up my lie.
“Uncle Henry has to go to Paris for work.”
“Oh, that’s right. Paris. He always was too big for his britches.”
Dad starts to mumble to himself about his Uncle Henry while I turn my attention back to Rachelle.
“Caregiver fatigue is a real thing. Are you finding ways to give yourself a break?” she asks.
“Yeah. Will has been getting me to go out more often. He wants me to enjoy my senior year. I worry about him, though. He needs a break too.”
“He does. Which actually brings me to my next topic.” She hands over a brochure.
“This was brought in last week. It’s a new assistance program for those who don’t meet the qualifications for free in-home health care for whatever reason.
It’s not full-time, but they can offer two days a week of respite for you.
They stay in the home and care for him while you take a break.
It can be running errands, taking a nap, doing some pampering.
Whatever you need. It’s free of charge.”
My eyes widen. “Wow. I was just talking with my boyfriend about the lack of options for people like us. I had no idea a program like this existed.”
She smiles. “It didn’t. One of the foundations saw a gap in the system and filled it.
It happens a lot. We are blessed they decided to roll it out here first. Usually they pick bigger cities like Boston, but with our extensive research department, I think they saw a greater need here.
Anyway, all you have to do is go to that website and fill in the information.
They will reach out to us for a copy of his chart, so we will need a release of information for them. Then they will get you set up.”
“That is so amazing. Thank you, Rachelle.”
“No problem. I’ll go get that form and let the doctor know we are ready for him.”
As she leaves, I look over at Dad with tears in my eyes. It’s not that I don’t love him. I do, so much. However, this program will give both Will and me a much-needed break. Sure, we have each other, but I feel like this will help alleviate some of the pressures we put on ourselves.
Like, I know even when Will goes out with his friends, he is thinking about home. He rushes to get back for me. I do the same for him. I never fully relax, wondering if he needs me.
Knowing a medical professional is there with him will help with some of that.
I look back down at the pamphlet. I don’t know what foundation decided to do this, but they are a blessing.
“Hey there. I hear everything is going okay today?” Dr. Patterson asks as he steps into the room.
“As good as he can be.”
The doctor nods before turning to my dad. “Jerry. Good to see you again. How’s that old ticker of yours?”
Dad laughs, tapping his chest. “Still going. Although that pretty nurse of yours has it beating a bit faster.”
The doctor laughs. “You flirt. You leave my nurses alone. They have work to do.”
Dad waves his hand at him. “Ah fine, but if she agrees to a date, I’ll be going.”
“Oh, I’m sure. I wouldn’t want you to miss that. How about you let me listen to your heart to be safe?”
Dad agrees, letting him listen with his stethoscope. Then he checks his breathing.
“Everything is good. If he isn’t having any issues, I don’t think we need to adjust any medications.
I would like to get blood on him, but I know that is sometimes an issue with him, so I will send the request to the lab, and you take him whenever you can.
We can go ahead and get you set up with another appointment in six months. ”
I stand, shaking his hand. “Awesome. Thank you.”
“Jerry, stay out of trouble.”
Dad nudges me. “Agatha is the one you should worry about. After all, we are here because she is sick again.”
“Don’t worry. I will get her feeling better.” Dr. Patterson winks at me.
I’m so grateful for him. For the entire staff, actually.
They are so good with Dad. On a bad day, they know how to work around him to get what they need.
On days like today, they keep him going without being suspicious of what they are actually looking for.
On good days, they talk to him like he is an adult fully capable of taking care of himself.
It’s amazing to see how they accommodate him.
After checking out and filling out the forms Rachelle needs from me, I get Dad situated in the car. “How about an ice cream?”
He looks over at me with that goofy smile on his face.
It doesn’t matter what version of my dad I get. I love every one of them.
My love
Can you come over?
As if I would ever say no to that. I’m freshly showered, pulling on clothes within ten minutes.
“You leaving?” Kellan calls out as he plays video games with Calvin on the couch.
“Yep. Going to see Lyla. See you later.”
They both make catcalling sounds, but I ignore them. I’m a sucker for the girl, and I don’t really give a fuck who knows about it.
Hopping in my car, I make the short drive to her place, taking Will’s empty spot in the driveway.
Before I make it to the door, it’s opening. Lyla flies out at me, jumping into my arms.
“Hey there, baby. What’s going on?” I ask her, hugging her tightly to me.
“I have the best news. Come in,” she says, pulling back.
I glance into the living room, seeing Jerry in his chair.
“Hey, Jerry.”
He glances over. “Wyatt. Good to see you.”
I look back to her, my brow raised.
“He’s having a good night. He wasn’t here most of the day, but when we got home an old movie was on, and it was like it brought him back,” she whispers to me.
I cup her cheeks, loving her huge smile. “I am so happy for you, and I’m honored you wanted me here to see it.”
She looks up at me, and I swear I see stars in her eyes.
“The doctor found a program that offers respite services. It’s only two days a week, and I plan to give one of the days to Will, but this is huge.”
Guilt gnaws at me, but I push it away.
“That is amazing news.”
“It is. Come on. Let’s go enjoy tonight with him. Hopefully it lasts a while.”
I nod, following her into the living room.
“Sir, do you mind if I stay a while?” I ask.
He looks over at Lyla then nods. “Thank you for asking.”
“Of course. Your blessing means a lot to Lyla and to me. Thank you for letting me date her.”
He gives me this goofy smile. “You make her happy. That’s all a father wants. What are you two doing staying in anyway? When I was your age, I would have taken my lady on the town.”
Lyla shoots me a look. He doesn’t know why we can’t leave, and she doesn’t want to tell him.
“Actually, sir, I was hoping to get to know you more.”
He stares at me for several moments before something lights up behind his eyes.
“I see. I don’t mind that. How about we play some board games like we used to do when you were a kid, Lyla?”
“Oh, that would be fun.”
She jumps up and heads down the hall, leaving me alone with Jerry.
“You really care for her, don’t you?” he asks quietly.
“If we are being transparent here, sir, I plan to marry your daughter. She is my future.”
He nods. “She thinks I don’t know about my memory problems. Will tells me, though. I know I am not always me. I hate it, but if it makes her feel better to pretend, then we pretend. You take care of my girl. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.”
Before he can say anything else, Lyla comes back with several games.
She sets up the first game, all three of us getting really into it. For the next several hours we play and laugh. It is one of the best nights of my life. It’s what I always felt like I was missing as a child.
It breaks my heart for Lyla. She has this now, but not all the time. I hate that she always has to wonder when she will lose him again.
“What are you guys still doing up?” Will asks when he comes home around three in the morning. “Dad, you need to get to bed.”
“Don’t be such a killjoy, Will.”
The sternness is ruined by Jerry yawning.
“I guess I should go to bed,” he admits reluctantly. “This was fun. Lyla walk Wyatt out.”
“Yes, Daddy,” she tells him, standing to hug him before he heads down the hall.
“I’ll make sure he’s okay. Has he been himself all night?” Will asks.
Lyla beams. “Yes. I know I should have insisted he go to bed, but it was like when we were kids. It was selfish.”
“No, Lyla. It wasn’t. I would have done the same thing. I’m glad you got it with him. I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”
“I know. Me too. I have good news for you, by the way. We can talk after you get him in bed and I see Wyatt off,” she tells him.
“Okay. Bye, Wyatt. Get home safe.”
He heads down the hall as Lyla slides her hand in mine.
“Thank you for tonight,” she tells me as she leads me to the door.
“There’s no need to thank me for being here,” I whisper.
“This is supposed to be fake. You didn’t sign up for all of this.”
I smirk. “This might not be conventional, but I would like to think we are more than strangers. Maybe even friends if that’s what you want to call it.”
She nods. “Friends is a good place to start.”
I hum, turning to cup her cheek. “Start. I like that word. It means there will be more.”
Leaning in, I press a chaste kiss to her lips.
“More?” she asks softly when she pulls back.
“It’s all up to you, Lyla. You are leading the train. You only have to tell it where to stop.”
“That’s a lot of responsibility,” she admits.
“Hey.” I pull her face up until her eyes meet mine. “No. No pressure. No responsibility. You have enough of that. We go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens. Does that work for you?”
Relief fills her face. “Yeah, it does.”
“Good. I’m going to kiss you again because I want to. Then I’m going to go home and text you to let you know I made it because if I don’t, I know you will text me, and I don’t want you to worry.”
“Thank you.” She leans in, pressing her lips to mine before I can follow up on my promise.
I press against her harder, turning her until her back is against the wall.
She presses her tongue against my lips until I open for her.
I let her lead the kiss, loving the way her hands begin to wander over my chest and shoulders.
I know I need to stop this before it goes too far, but it feels so damn good.
A throat clearing has me breaking away.
“I think it’s time to say good night, Lyla,” Will says from the archway into the living room.
“Good night, Wyatt.” Lyla looks up at me, cheeks red and lips puffy.
“Good night, my love. I’ll see you soon.”
I press a quick kiss to her nose before I let myself out.
This is all I have wanted. A night with my girl and the things that make her happy.