Free Next Door Neighbors by Frances Hoelsema Page B

“Well, none of that sounds fun at all. How long has she had this?”
                  Jill thought back to when some signs had started to appear. She answered, “It’s been going on at least a couple of years I believe. She wasn’t diagnosed until six months or so ago, though.”
                  “That’s too bad,” Jill’s mom stated, slowly shaking her head.
                  Again, the waitress came back to the table. She asked how the drinks were and also delivered the rest of their order. After being thanked for her service, she walked away.
                  “What did you order again?” Jill asked, almost drooling.
                  “Oh, it’s the wild berry cream cheese danish. You know how much I love danishes. Do you want a bite?”
                  “No, but I’ll have to remember that for next time. That looks really good!” Jill then looked down at her asiago cheese bagel, suddenly not as thrilled to eat it as she was when she ordered it. Her mom’s danish definitely looked more appealing.
                  After taking a few bites, both of the women got back to their conversation.
                  “So is there anyone helping take care of Elena? Or doesn’t she need help?”
                  Jill replied, “Yes and no. She doesn’t really need help, but it’s nice to have, which is another reason I’ve been busy. I’ve been checking in on her, making meals for her, running errands and doing some chores for her.”
              “That’s so sweet of you, hunny,” her mom commended.
                  “Actually, her son has been taking more care of her now than I have.”
              “Son?”
              “Yeah, his name is Brian. He lives in the south, but soon after the official diagnosis, he showed up to help her out with some things she wanted done.”
                  “Oh, that’s nice.”
                  “It is nice. Elena treasures her son so much, and I can just tell she’s a million times better now that he’s helping her.”
                  “How old is he?”
                  Knowing where this was heading, and not liking it one bit, Jill slowly answered, “Thirty, I believe.”
                  “Everything still good over here?” the waitress interrupted.
                  “Yes. Thank you,” Jill’s mom replied, smiling at the waitress.
                  Thankful for the interruption, Jill tried to steer the conversation back to Elena, although she feared she didn’t do a good enough job. “Brian’s actually gone back home right now, which is why I told you I could only stay out so long. I promised him I would look in on Elena a couple times a day while he was away.”
                  Jill took another bite of her bagel and enjoyed the savory goodness. She thought it odd that her mom hadn’t said anything back yet, which could only mean she was thinking about one thing. She just kept eating and drinking until her mom let it out.
                  “So this Brian, what’s he like?” her mom finally asked with an impish grin.
                  There it was. Jill was certain it would all come back to Brian, and she knew exactly where that would lead. However, she decided to give her mom the benefit of the doubt. After all, she knows everything that Jill’s gone through and her view on men.
                  Jill answered, “Well, let’s see.” Jill thought of everything she knew about Brian and carefully contemplated on what she would share. “He’s taller than me, and being from the south, he has a nice tan. He’s strong, but not overly muscular. Oh, and his hair is a dark brown. He’s got nicely trimmed facial hair, and although his hair is usually short, I’ve noticed