Once Dormant by Blake Pierce

Author:Blake Pierce [Pierce, Blake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blake Pierce
Published: 2018-12-04T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Riley’s thoughts were full of conflicting images as she and her companions stood waiting in the hallway for Sam to come out of her father’s room.

Sam and her dad had obviously enjoyed a close relationship, unlike what Riley had experienced with her own father. Art had greeted his daughter warmly. Even when his mind was confused, he’d never been angry with her, much less threatening.

Riley’s own father had been cold and angry. The last time Riley had seen him alive, they had actually come to blows. She had let her sister, Wendy, take the responsibility for him when he became ill. Riley had even refused to go to his funeral. Although she knew that her father had helped make her the excellent agent that she had become, Riley’s memories of him were never warm.

It was clear that Sam’s father was fading, a process that was likely to be slow and painful. But the time that they’d already spent together had been rewarding, and Sam’s memories of him would be pleasant.

Finally Sam stepped out of her father’s apartment into the hallway. As she pulled the door shut behind her, she burst into tears.

Riley watched as Dominic rushed over to Sam and gave her a hug. Then Sam and Dominic both went over to talk to Nurse Spahn, who was standing a short distance away.

Riley’s heart went out to Sam. She also felt terrible that she’d instigated what had just happened.

Sam and the nurse were talking quietly, but Riley could make out a few words that the young officer was tearfully saying.

“Please give him another chance … He’ll try to be better … Talk to me before you change anything … We’ll work something out.”

Riley could easily understand what was going on.

Because of his wanderings and his growing confusion, Sam’s father’s status at the assisted care facility was coming into question. Sam was surely desperate that he might be moved into a part the building for more dependent residents, where his freedoms would be vastly curtailed.

The nurse nodded sympathetically, and Riley sensed that she was agreeing to Sam’s appeals, but …

It’s only a matter of time, Riley thought.

Riley didn’t know much about dementia, but she was sure the man she’d just talked to in that room wasn’t likely to get better. At least, not for very long periods of time. Riley could only imagine how Sam felt to see her once vigorous, keenly intelligent, and still loving and kindly father slipping away from her.

Finally Sam and Dominic walked back over to Riley and her colleagues. Her face looked determined as she brought her tears under control.

Riley touched Sam on the shoulder and said …

“Sam, I’m awfully sorry. You surely don’t want to keep working today. You can stay here with your dad or Dominic can take you home …”

“No,” Sam said, swallowing one last sob. “Dad doesn’t want that. He told me he wants me to keep at it today and not worry about him. And that’s what I’m going to do.

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