The sound of Brandy’s phone was like a siren.
Who the fuck would call someone on the phone so early on a Sunday morning?
It rang again.
And again.
And again.
With a growl, I snatched up the phone.
“Hello?” I snapped.
“Ivo, did I wake you up?”
It was Ken. Damn.
“Hey, Ken, no, not really. I was about to wake up anyways,” I reasoned out while running my hands over my face from humiliation. “Brandy is still asleep; would you like to leave a message?”
“Um yeah, Carl and Mia will arrive later for Mom’s birthday. I’m expecting both of you to come, okay?”
“Okay, I’ll tell her.”
Before I hung up, Ken said on the other line, “Thanks for taking care of my sister, Ivo.” I could tell he was smiling.
I rolled over into the soft body lying next to me in bed. “Morning, babe,” I greeted as I snaked one arm under the covers, wrapping it around her waist. I pushed back the stray, sun-streaked strands of hair from her face. She always looked so sexy with her ‘just fucked’ rumpled hair.
“Morning, babe,” she whispered, as she placed light kisses along the line of my jaw.
I wish I could wake up with her like this all the time. The thought crossed my mind. Everything looked lovely; the sun was shining as if nothing happened yesterday. In a way, I wasn’t mistaken because to her, nothing horrible happened yesterday.
“Why are you up so early?”
“Ken called a while ago, reminding us to come to your mom’s birthday,” I replied, wrapping my other arm around her to caress the soft skin of her back.
“Mom’s birthday?” She frowned and rested her back against the headboard and massaged her temple. “I can’t believe I forgot Mom’s birthday.”
“It’s okay, babe.” I pulled her to me, letting her head rest on my chest. She had a small smile on her face.
She moved out of the bed and called Ken back, confirming the invitation.
“Carl and Mia planned a big family celebration. It will be a gathering of all family members in the meeting room down the hall from Mom’s room, complete with cake and decorations. Isn’t that pathetic?” She remarked while we were having breakfast.
“Well, how do you plan a birthday celebration worthy of a fifty-five-year old woman with Alzheimer’s?” I asked her and sipped my coffee while reading the morning newspaper.
“The answer is you don’t.” She sighed and sat back down, placing her palm over her forehead.
“Yes, you do.”
She sighed in frustration and looked down at her feet. “You do realize you’re trying to celebrate a personality that no longer exists.”
I walked over to her and bent down so that we were at eye level. “Babe, stop thinking about what has changed or what you have lost. Instead, start looking for what is the same,” I told her as I wiped away the stray tears from her face.
She smiled and hugged me.
She broke the hug, suddenly saying, “Ken hasn’t called in a while. I hope he and Scotch are okay.”
She had completely forgotten talking to Ken just moments ago. “You miss them, don’t you? Let’s call them when we get back,” I assured her. “C’mon we need to go to the travel agency to finalize our booking and pay for the tickets for our trip to the Philippines.” I stood up, and she pulled my hand.
“I haven’t said yes.”
“I thought you already agreed to it.”
“Not officially.”
“Well, then consider it official,” I grinned. “It’s not like you’re going to turn down our first trip together.”
“I don’t think I have enough money for that. You know I still need to—”
“Brandy, I’m paying. What makes you think I’d let you buy your own ticket?”
“No, you’re already spending too much while you’re here. You’re not even letting me pay our bills.”
I took her hand and kissed it. “It’s covered, okay? I got it.”
She smiled. “What time is our flight?”
“Later at seven.”
“But it’s Mom’s birthday. You think we could request to have it rebooked tomorrow on an earlier flight?”
“Okay, we will.”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
***
Brandy’s mother saw me and jumped up to greet me, a huge smile on her face.
“It’s going to be a good day,” I told her as I hugged her. She hugged me back with all her strength.
“Ca-carl.” She tried hard to slip the name out of her mouth. She thought I was her son Carl. She gestured to her friends, they all nodded and said hello.
“Hi, Mom,” Brandy greeted with a smile.
Her mother’s pale blue eyes turned to Brandy for a moment, she isn’t sure who Brandy was but she smiled back at her. I helped her out of her chair and steadied her on her feet. She was clearly happy to see her entire family. She took the small bouquet of carnations we brought for her as if I was presenting her with something much greater.
Their family members and friends created an elaborate event that she would remember and cherish without disturbing her routine. It worked really well.
The birthday party turned out well. It proved to be very special because they made plans that worked for her level of Alzheimer. We kept her within her comfort zone in both the setting in the nursing home and the food. That made the birthday visit priceless and a positive experience that we’ll forever cherish.
“Hi Brandy, how are you? I heard from Carl that you’re going on a vacation to the Philippines. When is your flight?” Mia asked.
Brandy tugged the hem of my shirt. She wanted me to answer.
“Our flight is scheduled at four thirty in the afternoon tomorrow.”
“Great! I’d love to go to the Philippines as well. I heard they have wonderful beaches.”
Gin touched my shoulder and motioned for me to follow him.
“I’ll be right back, babe,” I told Brandy and left her chatting with Mia.
Gin and I walked through the residents’ garden quietly with Carl and Ken following behind us. I felt my stomach drop.
Gin spoke first, “We’re not tired when it comes to taking care of our sister, but it sure is good to have some help.”
“Gin, taking care of her isn’t an obligation for me. I love your sister. I love taking care of her.”
Ken cleared his throat and tapped my shoulder. “When the time comes, and you get tired of her, please do not just dump her okay? Bring her back to us. We will take care of Brandy.”
I chuckled at his statement. “It won’t happen, Ken. I assure you.”
“Brandy’s forgetfulness started a few months ago. She didn’t notice it at first. When we told her, she refused to recognize it. She was always giving excuses or explanations like being tired or stressed. When you came, she became decisive about it. You’ve seen Mom. Brandy will be like her soon. Will you be ready when that happens?” asked Carl.
“I’ve seen worse, Carl. I’ll be there for her no matter what happens.”
I stared at them and in return, they each gave me weak smiles.
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