Memory House by Ruth Hay

Author:Ruth Hay [Hay, Ruth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ruth Hay

Mavis took all the help she could get from Grant. She figured he owed it to her for giving her so much more to do inside the house now that she was on a self-imposed, twenty-four-seven watch over Hilary.

She set him the task of maintaining the composting bins. This involved collecting all the garden cuttings and hauling them to the bins, then adding layers of grass clippings and soil to encourage decomposition into fertilizer. Regular turning over of the bin contents was required. She kept an eye on him from the kitchen windows and thought he was actually enjoying the physical work. He certainly wielded the shovel with enthusiasm.

She might get him to dig out that bed at the back of the garden that now got so little sun. Once stripped down, she could plant shade-loving plants and bushes for next year. Or else, Grant could plant them.

Served him right!

In her calmer moments, she realized this was not entirely fair. She was blaming Grant for the fact of her worry and concern about Hilary.

It did not change the situation. Hilary’s deterioration was real enough.

It was just that if she did not know there was evidence to prove it, she could still be living in ignorance and making excuses for anything disturbing she might notice. Was that not what she had been doing for some time?

These days she dedicated several hours a day specifically to Hilary. She took her for outings in her car since Hilary now expressed a dislike of driving. She took her for grocery shopping in the Byron Metro store and they would stop for a coffee and donut afterwards as a reward.

On fine days, they went for a stroll in Springbank Park and sat by the river admiring the ducks and geese and the occasional boat from the canoeing club.

The entire time, Mavis was talking and encouraging Hilary to remember the names of objects, such as flowers, or birds, or grocery items, or donuts. Whatever else presented itself to them was fodder for this pleasant exercise.

She spoke about times in their lives from earlier years and she was greatly relieved when Hilary recalled most names and dates with remarkable clarity. The past was much easier for her to talk about than what happened at Harmony House the day before.

She accompanied Hilary to the appointments the young doctors set up and although she questioned Hilary about the tests, she did not seem to think there was anything notable about what she was asked to do. The results would be shared with her in due course. She did not want to rush that step.

For most of their time, Hilary was acquiescent. She did not object. She did not ask for anything unusual.

Mavis rather liked the occasions when the ‘old’ Hilary reared her head and she expressed dislike or distrust for something. This occurred when news items were playing on television and Hilary strenuously objected to the policy of one or another ministers of state.

Mavis sat back and smiled on

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