Free When Love Calls by Celeste O. Norfleet Page B

wore this, either? But why?”
    “Circumstances never presented themselves.”
    “But this is too beautiful to just sit here in a box all wrapped up.”
    “I agree, that’s why you should have it.”
    “Grandma, I couldn’t. This is yours, and besides, it wouldn’t even fit me, it’s too small.”
    “Actually it would probably fit you even better. You have the added curves I never did. And I know the shoes are your size.”
    “Thank you, but I can’t. But it’s lovely, just as you said,” Alyssa said, repacking it back in the box just as she found it.
    “So, what are you doing here tonight? I thought you were busy.”
    “That was last night. It’s Friday and I brought Chinese food.”
    “So, what are we doing sitting up here in this dusty old attic?” She stood steady and ready. “Come on, let’s eat. All this talking has gotten me hungry.”
    “Okay, you go ahead downstairs. I’ll finish with all this and close the windows, then meet you in the kitchen.”
    “Sounds good. I need to make a quick stop and wash up a bit but I’ll be right down.”
    Alyssa watched as her grandmother walked easily across the large attic floor, then headed down the hall. She could hear the slight creak of the steps as Allie went downstairs to the second floor. She sighed, relieved. Seeing her grandmother lying there like that had nearly scared her to death. Alyssa didn’t know what she’d do if she lost her.
    Allie Granger was her maternal grandmother and the only mother figure in her life. Her own mother had died of leukemia when she was four years old and she barely remembered her, just dreamlike shadows and faint images. She was partly raised by her grandmother, and their relationship was beyond close. Alyssa was named after her and admired everything she did.
    That’s why she was so horrified when she witnessed the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease and its ravaging effects. Her grandmother played it off and ignored it as just old-age forgetfulness, but there was more to it, and the more time went on, the easier it was to recognise and the harder it was to witness.
    Alyssa finished cleaning up the attic, then closed the windows and turned the lights off. Going downstairs, she stopped and peeked into her grandmother’s bedroom. Hearing the water running in the bathroom, she kept going downstairs to prepare their dinner.
    A few minutes later the table was set, the food was heated, the dishes were washed and set aside to dry and still no Allie. Alyssa climbed the stairs, hearing singing. She went to her grandmother’s bedroom and opened the door wide. Allie was sitting on the bed singing a song combing a doll’s hair on her lap. She remarked on how beautiful Katherine looked in her new dress and nice curls and then she looked up and smiled. “Hi, don’t you think Katherine looks adorable? I think she’s beautiful.”
    Alyssa smiled and nodded as her heart filled. “Yes, Katherine looks very beautiful. But it’s time that we put Katherine down so we can go downstairs to get something to eat.”
    “Can Katherine come, too?” she asked, as always, politely.
    “Not this time. Let’s let Katherine rest while you and I get something to eat, okay?” Alyssa said, heartbroken by the sight of her grandmother. “I promise, we’ll eat and come right back, okay?”
    Allie agreed. She set Katherine to the side and followed Alyssa downstairs. They sat and said a prayer then Alyssa fixed Allie’s plate. “May I have some water, please?” Allie asked.
    “Sure, of course. I’ll get it,” Alyssa said.
    By definition Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease characterized by senility, dementia and mental deterioration affecting people sixty-five and older. With her grandmother the first signs showed themselves as classic cognitive symptoms beginning with a mild impairment when she experienced the inability to remember instances of just moments earlier. This was followed by occasional loss of memory, disorientation,