Crush. Candy. Corpse. by Sylvia McNicoll
Author:Sylvia McNicoll [McNicoll, Sylvia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Lorimer
Published: 2012-02-17T05:00:00+00:00
Looking back now, I think everything could have gone differently if I had just listened to the little voice inside me.
chapter fourteen
My lawyer stands to question Cole’s mother now. “First, I’m sure I represent the entire court when I say we’re deeply sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” Mrs. Demers says.
Michael bows his head, waits for a beat and then continues. “Earlier, Mr. Dougal asked you what the prognosis for your mother-in-law’s condition was, and I’m a little unclear on that. Would you kindly explain to the court what Alzheimer’s disease means in general?”
“Certainly. Plaque builds up around the brain cells and the patient loses reasoning ability.”
“Does it progress beyond that? I mean, the brain controls all our functions . . .”
“Objection,” the buzzard calls. “The witness is not a medical expert.”
“Your Honour, I’m not asking for an expert testimony. I only want to know the witness’s understanding of the disease. It could affect her attitude towards the defendant.”
“Overruled,” the judge answers. “You may proceed, Counsel.”
“Mrs. Demers, more specifically, is dementia the only symptom of Alzheimer’s?” Michael’s eyebrows are up and his head is tilted.
Mrs. Demers frowns and shifts her gaze around the room. Finally she answers. “No. My mother-in-law not only forgot where her keys were, she also forgot who we were. She had recently forgotten how to walk and stopped talking for the most part.”
He cups his hand around his chin. “What about swallowing? Had she forgotten how to swallow?”
“She was having difficulty, but Cole was feeding her so obviously she could still manage.”
Michael nods. “Is it true your mother-in-law loved sweets, in particular, candy?”
“Yes. Even when she lived with us she was always sneaking treats into the house, sharing them with Cole. It was always their little joke on us.”
More nods, he turns slightly to the jury and back. “And do you know if Helen could suck on a candy?”
Her face turns pink. “She was not supposed to have any. She’s diabetic.”
Michael McCann smiles patiently. “Let’s suppose it’s a sugar-free candy, then. Do you know if she could manage one of those or not?”
Claudine stays quiet and turns a deeper shade of pink.
“Mrs. Demers?”
“No, I don’t know.”
“Isn’t it true that the only time you visited your mother-in-law was to see her after Sunny coloured her hair?”
“No!” she shouts. The judge looks at her and she quiets down. “I saw her at Christmas.”
“Is Alzheimer’s disease considered a fatal disease?”
“Yes. But with good care, a patient can live five to ten years, sometimes even twenty after diagnosis.”
Michael flips through his notes. “How long did you say your mother had it?”
“Four years.”
“It seems her disease was progressing rapidly.”
“Objection. Speculation,” the buzzard calls.
“Sustained.”
“Was your mother-in-law in the final stage of the disease?” Michael asks in a louder voice.
“I don’t know,” she snaps.
“Did her doctor ask you to sign for palliative care only?” he asks more gently.
“Yes.”
“And what did you decide?”
“I did not sign. They were to use every measure to keep her alive. Life is sacred to us.”
“But Cole felt differently.” His voice is louder again.
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