Neve was the first one awake. Just as dawn was breaking, she’d been dreaming of Travis the Dachshund dying. They’d come back home, and he was on his side in the kitchen, near his water bowl, tongue hanging out. Gone. It was a terrible way to wake up. Neve turned in the gray light, reached out for James, who always slept like a mummy: on his back, chin tilted up toward the ceiling.
As she moved, Travis sighed from the foot of the bed. Neve got up, let him out the back door, and started the coffee. They had to leave by eight if they planned to be back in Tucson by five for James’ evening shift.
An hour later, Neve and James were eating cereal. Jules was in the bathroom, trying to get his bowels moving. Reva was stirring in bed. Becca was trying to get another hour of sleep on the living room couch, amidst the morning noises.
Before they took off, Neve and Becca sat on the back deck with thick sweaters and drank coffee. Becca asked about visiting Neve over winter break. Neve thought that’d be fun, but wasn’t sure about her work schedule.
“Can I bring Marisol?” Becca asked.
“Sure, it’d be fun to meet her,” Neve agreed. “By the way, you think Mom is okay?”
“Define ‘okay,’ Becca responded.
“Think she’s settling into living alone? Think she’s trying to find anyone?” Neve asked.
“She’s cagey about the dating. Think she’s been swinging and missing a lot. Needs to lower her expectations,” Becca replied.
They sipped from their mugs and took in the dewy morning. The oaks and sycamores drop their leaves onto the redwood deck and forest.
An hour later, Neve, James and Travis had hugged their goodbyes. Reva and Becca were on the couch, waiting for Jules. Jules shuffled over in his slippers after finishing a bowl of oatmeal. He sat down next to Reva with a mug of coffee.
“Dad, can we talk about your situation?” Reva asked.
“Sure, let’s talk,” Jules replied. “I’m ready.”
“Okay, so I’ve been concerned with…” Reva began.
“I think I know where you’re going,” Jules interrupted.
“Grandpa, please let Mom finish,” Becca intervened, noticing Reva’s face flush.
“Okay, okay,” Jules nodded.
“I’m concerned with your memory, Dad. There’ve been some situations that make me nervous. What do you think?” Reva asked.
“It ain’t what it used to be, that’s certainly true,” Jules admitted.
“Remember the laundry situation?” Reva asked.
“Yes! Thought I’d lost my new briefs!” Jules laughed.
“Remember the spare key situation?” Reva asked.
Jules sipped his coffee and looked at Becca, shaking his head. “I do.”
“Remember the missing recycle bin?” Reva asked.
“That neighbor must’ve lost his! I swear he stole mine!” Jules was beginning to lose his patience.
Becca intervened again. “Let’s all just take a moment. Mom—just take a few slow, deep breaths. Grandpa—we don’t want to control you—Mom and I just want you to have a little extra help.”
They both looked at Becca and deferred. Reva knew her daughter was right.
After a minute, Jules got up and looked at the framed pictures on the mantle. He picked up the photograph of himself and Reva with the two girls, probably ages five and three. They were both on Reva’s lap. On a city park bench in Philly. Karl must’ve taken the picture. They were all laughing. It was one of those rare moments of joy.
“Look at this,” Jules handed Reva the photo. “I know we’re all different people now. Your girls are women now. You’re a middle-aged divorcee now. I’m a widower who’s losing his marbles. Remember this? Karl took this. Feels like 40 years ago to me. It was only 17 years. 2006. I love this one.”
Reva patted the couch next to her. Jules sat down next to his daughter.
“Dad. We want to be sure you’re safe. That’s all. Can we have a home healthcare aid come by to check in? Twice a day. Late morning and early evening. Just to make sure everything’s fine.”
“Of course, honey. But nobody stays here overnight. I want some privacy. I’m not about to go just yet.”
“Totally understand, Dad.” Reva put her head on his shoulder. Becca scooched in next to Jules and put her head on his other shoulder. Jules closed his eyes and tried to record the feeling of warmth and togetherness. He knew they’d be back in their worlds in a day or two.