The Charm Bracelet(33)

“Don’t you call?” Arden asked. “You just show up?”

“I tried your phone several times today. There was no answer. I got worried.”

“No cell reception at the beach,” Lauren explained.

“I swear I didn’t see anything,” Jake said. “I’m so sorry. I can’t apologize enough.”

“No, you can’t,” Lolly said, her voice clipped, turning to walk back into the cabin. “The word ‘caregiver’ is downright awful. Don’t ever use it in front of me again.”





Fifteen




“You’re right, Lolly. I shouldn’t have said ‘caregiver.’ I apologize again. I’m so sorry.”

Lolly scooched the jigsaw puzzle occupying the porch table to one side, and began filling the table’s center with sun tea, chips and dip, sandwiches, bowls, spoons, and a gallon of Scoops County blackberry ice cream.

A now-dressed Arden knew her mother’s small-town routine: She may be upset, but she’s always cordial to a guest, she thought.

Lolly looked at Jake warily, filling a glass of tea for him before doing the same for herself.

“I’m a person,” Lolly said, thrusting Jake’s tea at him. “Not a plant. I don’t need ‘care.’”

“You’re right,” Jake said, before nodding toward her gardens. “Although I can tell you have a green thumb.”

Lolly took a seat on the glider and regarded Jake, her face shifting from overcast to slightly cloudy.

“I love gardening,” she said. “It makes me happy. I love the feel of the earth in my hands, I love…”

The trilling of Arden’s and Lauren’s phones stopped Lolly in midsentence.

“Where was I?” she said, looking out at the lake. “What was I just saying?”

Lauren looked at her grandmother, and Arden shot a look at Jake, the two nervously silencing their phones.

“We were talking about gardening and then technology interrupted,” Jake said gently yet firmly, not missing a beat. “But technology isn’t all bad. Do you mind if I show you something fun on my phone, Lolly?”

Again, Lolly regarded Jake, before reluctantly nodding her head.

“I’ve always wanted to try one of those,” she said, “but I’m too old.”

“Never,” Jake said, walking over and taking a seat beside Lolly, causing the glider to swing wildly. “Here, let me show you what it can do.”

Jake powered on his cell and began demonstrating the endless app’s for Lolly.

“Here’s how you get on the Internet,” he explained, smiling.

Arden couldn’t help but notice how big his dimples were.

“And,” continued Jake, “you can check the weather, or pay all of your bills on here.”

“No,” Lolly said, amazed and shaking her head. “How?”

Jake pulled up his banking app and showed Lolly how, with a few clicks, she could manage her bills with Arden’s help.

“And we can set up a shared calendar, with musical sounds like Lauren and Arden have, to remind you when you need to take certain medications, when you need to go shopping, even when you need to wake up. Now, hold on one second,” Jake said excitedly, standing and walking outside, returning seconds later. “Look!”

Lolly grabbed his phone with one hand and covered her mouth with the other. “Pictures of my flowers! They’re so beautiful,” she exclaimed.

“And watch this,” Jake said, tapping his phone.

A few seconds later, Lauren’s phone began to trill. She looked at her cell, smiled, and answered. “Hi, Grandma.”

“Here,” Jake said. “Talk to your granddaughter.”

There, on his phone, was Lauren. Not just her voice, but her face. “How is this possible?”

“FaceTime,” Lauren said. “When you get a phone like this, you can call me anytime, and I can see your face. It’s like we’re together.”

Lauren waved at her grandmother, and Lolly waved back, although the two were only feet apart. “Talk to you later, Grandma,” she said.

“How do I get one of those?” Lolly asked.

“We’ll get you one, Mom,” Arden said. “That’s such a wonderful idea, Jake.”

Jake walked back, took a seat, and then took a sip of his sun tea. “Lolly, small cues and reminders to help your memory can really help you stay organized. Establishing a daily routine and maintaining regularity is important, and the phone can help. And I can help … if you will let me.”

Lolly’s face slowly lifted into a smile. “If you call first, don’t ever say ‘caregiver’ again, and keep taking pictures of my flowers, you have a deal.”

“Deal,” Jake replied, laughing. “The important thing to remember is simply to take care of yourself, do what you love, and see Dr. Van Meter regularly. What I’m here for—what we’re all here for—is to make sure you can continue living your life the way you already are.”

“That’s all I want,” she said, smiling at Arden and Lauren.

“Well, you certainly have the right attitude,” Jake continued. “In the early stages of MCI, you can do everything you already do: Drive, work, social activities. I’m here, like your daughter and granddaughter, to help you take care of yourself and plan as best you can for the future. On your own terms.”