New Beginnings by Lily Zante

Author:Lily Zante [Zante, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Put the Genre Here
Publisher: Lily Zante
Published: 2020-08-19T16:00:00+00:00

Dear Elsa

Vernon insisted on sending you this Christmas card, because he didn’t remember writing the first one. I wanted to let you know that he is suffering from dementia caused by early-onset Alzheimer’s.

We don’t know how quickly it will progress, but I felt you should know. Vernon has often spoken of you and the girls fondly. If you would like to come and visit sometime, you are most welcome.

Sincerely,

Maisy

She clutched the letter to her chest and sank back on the sofa. Images of the Vernon she knew, always smiling, always willing to lend a hand, rained on her like a shower of splinters.

“Vernon.” His name was soft on her lips. The last time they had met had been around the time of Rona’s wedding when he had been passing through. He was at a sales convention in Denver, and had called her. She had so wanted the girls to meet him, but Ava had been away on a course, and Rona had been busy with wedding preparations.

In the end, the two of them had gone for a meal in a restaurant. He had been the same, older, slightly thinning face, thinning hair, but still very much the same Vernon she and Viktor had known.

She didn’t want to think about what might happen to him now, and buried that thought out of sight, making a mental note to visit him when she returned.

Engulfed in sadness, she picked up the phone, and called Faith, needing to talk to someone.

A croaky half-asleep voice answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Oh my goodness. Did I wake you?” Elsa was mortified when she realized it was only 6 AM in Denver.

“Is that you, Elsa?” Faith croaked.

“I’m sorry. Go back to bed, I’ll call you later. I didn’t check the time.”

“I’m up now. What’s wrong?”

“I received the parcel you sent. Thank you.”

“You didn’t wake me at 6 to thank me for a parcel. What’s wrong?”

“Do you remember my friend Vernon?”

“Vernon?”

“The one who sends me Christmas cards every year? Moved to Seattle?”

“The one from way back?”

“That’s the one. He’s got Alzheimer’s.”

“That’s too bad. How old is he?”

“A few years younger than me.”

“No!” Faith exclaimed.

“It’s so sad.”

“Poor man.”

“I might go and see him when I get back.”

“What date are you coming back? I miss our coffee mornings.”

“Oh.” In all the busy-ness of Christmas and the New Year, and recently with Salvatore, she hadn’t yet told Faith about her change of plans, and her friend still expected her to return this month.

“Well,” said Elsa, taking a deep breath. “There’s been a change of plan. I’m not coming back until Rona’s baby is due.”

“What?” Faith’s retort was sharp, like a dart.

“It’s complicated.” For a 6am conversation. “Ava’s coming to Denver next month, and I’m here keeping an eye on the baby. There’s no point in me coming and going, so I’ve decided to stay on until June.”

“June?” Faith let out a guttural gasp. “How do you expect me to last to June on my own?”

Elsa laughed. “You know enough people, Faith.”

“Holy moly, Elsa. You’ve gone and deserted me.

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