American library books Β» Other Β» The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The First Collection by Frost, J (great novels .txt) πŸ“•

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cousins. They’re all strangers to her now. Instead, I read to her, or play one of the games her doctors say are supposed to slow her memory loss. Today, I bring along One Thousand and One Nights and read her β€œThe Ebony Horse” because it makes me smile.

She gives me her vague smile back and rearranges the fresh flowers I’ve brought her. I bring them every week. I’ll have to have flowers delivered while I’m away. Another thing to do before I go. I read her another story, then cut the visit a few minutes short so I can speak to Jenetta about my trip.

Jenetta, the home director, welcomes me with the same wide, white smile that she gave me four years ago when I first brought my mother here. It was that smile that sold me on this home. Not the nicest, or the newest, that I visited, but that smile reassured me that the lady in charge cared, when I wasn’t sure anyone else did. When I felt so lost and alone caring for this woman I’d known all my life, who was becoming a stranger to me.

Jenetta rises and comes around her desk when I knock on her open door. The door to her office is always open. I love that about her. She takes my hand and leads me to one of the two chairs facing her desk. She sits in the other one, beside me. She never faces off across the desk. I’m not a people person; I have no intention of ever doing anything that has me interfacing with the public, but if I did, I’d take Jenetta as my role model.

She pats my hand, her coal-black hand covering mine as it rests on the chair’s cracked faux-leather arm. β€œHow was your visit with Vi?” she asks me.

β€œThe same. How’s she doing? No outbursts?”

β€œNone at all.”

It was Jenetta who warned me that people with dementia sometimes act out. People who would never have hurt a fly before they developed the disease. The whole world becomes an incomprehensible, alien place. Bewildered, frightened, they rail against it. But my mother’s never done any of that. She’s just slipped gently, terrifyingly gently, into the twilight.

β€œI saw The Princess Bride in her room. Is she reading it?”

Jenetta shakes her head and gives me a softer, sadder version of her usual smile. β€œOne of the volunteers was reading to her. She says she can’t understand the marks on the page anymore.”

I swallow the tightness in my throat and let out a long breath. My mother loved to read. It was her gift to me, her love of books. Now it’s gone. When she’s already lost so much. β€œWell, I just wanted to let you know I’m going out of town for two weeks. I, um, was invited on a cruise to Mexico. It’s a little last minute, or I’d have given you more warning.”

β€œWe’ve got the emergency contact number for your brother if anything comes up, but I’m sure Vi will be fine while you’re gone. Do you have a contact number on the cruise?”

My cell, but she already has that. β€œSorry, I should haveβ€”do you mind if I make a call?”

β€œOf course not. Do you want some privacy?”

β€œNo, this will only take a second.” I take out my phone and dial Logan, glad that I haven’t changed his contact name over to β€œBig Daddy Dom NYC” yet, which I intend to do, just to tease him.

He answers on the first ring, β€œEmily, everything okay?”

β€œYes, um, I’m just with the director of my mother’s care home and she’s asked me for a contact number on the cruise. I was just, I was wondering if I could give her your number? If that’s okay?”

β€œYes, it’s okay. Text me the number of the care home after you’re done so I’ve got it, too.”

β€œThank you, uh—” I almost say β€œsir,” but that would be too weird in front of Jenetta. β€œThank you so much, Logan.”

β€œYou’re welcome, baby doll. Call me later.”

β€œI will.”

I hang up and look at Jenetta, who is watching me with the slyest grin. β€œWhat?”

β€œNothing,” she says, unsuccessfully trying to suppress her grin. β€œLet me just jot this down.” She retrieves a pad and pen from her desk and takes down Logan’s number. β€œPicture?” she says, as she finishes writing.

β€œPicture?” I repeat dumbly.

β€œFor the file,” she says innocently.

I shake my head at her, before I show her the picture I took of Logan over breakfast. I’ve already labelled it his β€œGreek God” picture. I caught him as he was reaching back to scratch his neck, so he’s got one arm stretched behind his head, his big biceps bunched. The morning light illuminates his tanned torso. He’s unshaven, heavy-eyed, shirtless and absolutely gorgeousβ€”at least, to meβ€”but I don’t know what he looks like to her. Maybe she’ll think he looks like a bum.

She whistles. β€œFine looking man.”

β€œYou’re shameless.”

β€œI’ll just note that for the file. James Logan. What, thirty, thirty-five? Brown and, what, black or dark brown? Two hundred pounds? All hunka-hunka.”

My cheeks have ignited. β€œThat has to be a HIPAA violation.”

She laughs. β€œProbably. Bane of my existence, HIPAA. Anyway, now I know why you’re rushing off to Mexico. Have a wonderful time, Emily. Don’t worry about a thing. Your mother will be fine and you know if you want an update or need to tell us anything, just pop me an email.”

β€œI will. Thank you. Thank you for everything. I haven’t ever told you how grateful I am for you, for everything you do here.” I feel myself tearing up and blink back the prickle. β€œBeing, um, with Logan, it’s made me realize that I take too much for granted. I don’t tell people often enough how grateful I am to them.”

Jenetta tucks her chin back into her neck like a surprised turtle. Then she reaches out and takes my phone from me and inspects Logan’s picture again. β€œWell, he don’t look like the Second Coming, but he must be if

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