Page 85 of Close to Heaven

“Oh?”

“I wondered…um… Sorry…this is kind of difficult.”

“That’s okay. Take your time, dear.”

Avery took a deep breath and started over. “My dad has dementia, and I wasn’t sure if you knew.”

Carolyn gave her a compassionate smile. “He didn’t come out and tell me, but I deduced that on my own.”

Avery sighed. “It’s been really hard for him.”

“And for you too, I’m sure.”

“Yes,” Avery said, willing herself not to cry.

“I’ve known other people with the disease too, so I recognized the signs.”

Again Avery wondered how much time Carolyn and Carl had spent together, but she didn’t want to pry. “I’d like to give you my phone number, just in case…”

“Of course.” Carolyn stood, went over to the kitchen counter, and returned with her phone, the latest model of a popular brand.

Avery found it ironic that they were sitting at an old-fashioned table, yet Carolyn had a more sophisticated phone than she did!

She rattled off her phone number and watched as Carolyn quickly entered it into her phone. She chuckled, and Carolyn eyed her curiously.

“Sorry. It’s just that I can’t imagine my dad working a phone like that. I had to convince him to get a cell phone in the first place.”

Carolyn laughed. “You’re right. Half the time, he doesn’t even remember where he put it.”

Avery flinched, though the same could be said of a lot of people, not just those with dementia.

“Sorry, dear. I didn’t mean—”

“No, no. It’s okay.”

Carolyn set her phone on the table and looked Avery in the eyes. “I bet you’re wondering about the nature of our relationship.”

Avery scrunched up her nose. “That obvious, huh?”

Carolyn smiled and nodded. “It’s okay. I know you’re just concerned about your dad.”

“Yes, even though it’s none of my business.”

“I met Carl by accident. Some of his mail accidentally got delivered here, and I went to return it to him.”

Avery nodded along, anxious to hear the story.

“Anyway, I introduced myself, and we got to talking, and well…I guess you might say we hit it off.”

Suddenly Avery wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the rest, but Carolyn continued, undeterred.

“I mentioned that I loved to bake, and he told me that he loved desserts, so I started baking for him. Well, not just for him. I bake for other people too. Anyway, your dad and I enjoy each other’s company, but we’re not headed for the altar or anything like that. We both agree we’re too old to go down that road again.”

“So, you were married before?”

“Forty-five years,” Carolyn said. “My husband passed a few years ago.”

“I’m sorry.”