The Sound of Home by Krista Sandor

Author:Krista Sandor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Candy Castle Books

* * *

Em leaned against the wall outside Noland’s room clutching her violin. The rush of adrenaline still popped in her veins, and she nearly jumped out of her skin when the door to Noland’s room clicked open.

“It’s just me,” Anita Benson said. She handed her the empty duffle bag and violin case.

Em took the items, crouched on the floor, and secured the instrument in its case. She placed the case in the duffle and willed her hands to stop shaking.

“I know you’re going to tell me I made it worse for Noland. But last time I played for him, it worked. Last time I played for him, he recognized me. He came back to himself. You were there, Mrs. Benson. You saw it.”

Anita’s pinched expression relaxed. “The brain is a complicated organ. Throw in an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and the complexity is magnified.” She took a step closer. “I didn’t come out here to scold you, Em. I think what you tried to do for Mr. MacCarron was very kind. But Alzheimer’s is an unpredictable disease. What helps a patient one day, may not work the next.”

“Oh,” was all she could muster in response as she stared wide-eyed at the woman who had judged her so harshly in the past.

“Why don’t we sit down?” Anita gestured to a cluster of chairs in the main area. “Noland’s asleep, but Michael is still speaking with the nurses. They shouldn’t be much longer.”

Em swiped at her face. She hadn’t even noticed the warm tears making slick trails down her cheeks. Christ! She did not want to cry in front of Anita Benson.

“I know what you saw can be quite jarring,” Anita said, patting her shoulder. “But what happened tonight is a product of his disease.”

Em stared at the scuffs on the linoleum floor. “I only wanted to help.”

“Of course, you did.” Anita gestured for her to sit. “Nobody doubts that.”

Em met her gaze, and the woman smiled. In all the years she had known Anita Benson, this was the first time she had seen her smile.

Anita glanced toward Noland’s room, then settled into a chair. “Kyle mentioned seeing you near Garrett this morning out by Sadie’s Hollow.”

Was that just this morning?

“Yes, we ran into him while we were…while I was trying to…” Em broke off.

But Anita was quick to fill the void. “Kyle also mentioned you don’t remember anything from the night you…” She pursed her lips. “The night of your injury.”

Em would rather have her toenails pulled out with pliers than discuss her injury with Anita Benson, but the woman seemed sincere. Em searched her face for some shred of disgust or resentment but couldn’t find any.

“No, I don’t remember much. Just flashes of images and sensations that don’t make any sense.”

Anita’s brow furrowed. “I’m sure that’s frustrating.” She leaned forward. “But you’ve got so much on your plate right now, dear. Your father needs help getting settled in the assisted living cottage, and you’ve been tasked with getting his house ready to sell.

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