Page 65 of One Forbidden Moment

Chapter 25

Jillian

––––––––

Jillian's stomach knottedthe moment she stepped into her mother's room.Her mom sat curled in the recliner, hands trembling, eyes wide and unfocused.She looked like a child lost in a store, searching for a familiar face that wasn't there.

"Hey, Mom?"Jillian whispered, stepping closer.

Her mother flinched, shaking her head as if to keep Jillian away.As if she were a stranger.

"No, please," her mother said, voice thin and frightened."Don't take me.I'm waiting for my daughter.She's coming.She always comes."

Jillian's heart cracked cleanly in her chest."Mom...it's me.Jillian.I'm right here."

Her mother shook her head violently, pressing herself deeper into the chair."No.No, I'm waiting for my baby.She can't be by herself yet.She brings me flowers from the yard.Go away.You're not her."

Jillian swallowed hard, forcing her voice to stay steady."Mom, please.Look at me."

Her mother turned away from her, refusing to look at her.

Pamela, the evening nurse, stepped into the room quietly, her expression soft with practiced compassion."She's having a rough day."

"I can help," Jillian said, even though she already knew she couldn't.

Though she worked in the nursing home, she wasn't a professionally trained nurse.She worked in the laundry room and helped in the cafeteria, so she could be close to her mom.

Pamela clicked her tongue."I don't think you can help her today.She's stuck in a memory loop.The best thing you can do is let her stay in it.If you try to bring her back to the present, she'll keep trying to reconcile who you are with who she remembers.When the pieces don't fit, it scares her."

Jillian's throat tightened."I don't want to leave her like this."

"I know," the nurse said gently."Let me take care of her tonight.I'll stay with her until she's settled."

Jillian looked at her mother.At the fear in her eyes, the confusion, the way she clutched the blanket like a lifeline.There was nothing Jillian could do to pull her out of the world her mind had retreated into.Nothing she could say to make her remember.

Leaving was the only kindness she had left.

She leaned down and kissed her mother's forehead.Her mother didn't react.Didn't recognize the touch.Didn't know her.

"Goodnight.I love you," Jillian whispered.

She walked out before her voice broke and the tears escaped.

Moe was waiting for her in the lobby, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.He noticed her mood right away and stepped forward, taking her hand in his.

"You okay?"he asked quietly.

She shook her head."No."

He nodded once, like he'd expected that."Come on.Let's get some air."