by Pat Simmons
Chapter 6
In hindsight, there was a reason why Tabitha had woken feeling anxious. She was exhausted, mentally and physically, and had to give Ava Elise an answer about whether she would attend a work-sponsored function the following week.
She thrived at seminars, luncheons, and other work-related gatherings. It didn’t matter that she often went solo, since most of the guys she had dated briefly in the past were too self-centered anyway to care about what mattered to her. That was why Tabitha had looked forward to Aunt Tweet’s six-month stay. The social butterfly could accompany Tabitha to those functions. That was before her aunt’s “in the blink of an eye” disappearing episodes.
“Next week, Ceyle-Norman is sponsoring a two-hour meet-and-greet with specialists to introduce our new drug to treat hyperaldosteronism,” Ava Elise said. “There are no good excuses not to be there.”
Tabitha’s interest was already piqued. She was a magnet for information, and the topic promised to be interesting. She knew that hyperaldosteronism was caused by a benign tumor on the adrenal gland and that, before this promising drug, doctors were controlling the secondary symptoms.
At her former company, she helped organized meetings throughout the year. These gatherings were key to building rapport with professionals in the medical community and learning how new medicines impacted patients’ quality of life. Tabitha sighed. If only there were a proven drug to prevent dementia symptoms instead of managing them once they manifested.
Her mind worked overtime to see how she could attend and keep an eye on Aunt Tweet. How? She was packing up her things after class, and Ava Elise strolled in her direction and took a seat. “It would be nice to have another sister present for a change, to increase the diversity at this function.”
White males dominated the field. Despite diversity programs throughout the pharmaceutical industry, blacks and other minorities had to work harder and be better than the average worker to stand out. Tabitha understood how important the strength-in-numbers support system was. She bit her lip to keep from gnawing on it. Again, how could she make it happen? “If I didn’t have my great-aunt living with me, I would be there. She’s suffering from dementia and my multitasking skills as a caregiver are being challenged in my own home. She wandered away a couple of times and that was scary. I don’t even want to think about her going missing at an event.”
Ava Elise nodded, then patted Tabitha’s hand. The gesture was comforting. “My family has been in a similar situation, so I understand your concerns. A home aide can probably watch her for a few hours.” They stood. “This speaker is a big, big deal. You might be the one to pitch the drug to doctors, so I strongly suggest you rework things at home for a couple of hours. You’ll want to hear what the chief surgeon and a group of endocrinologists from Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s findings are on using our new drug.”
“I know. It’s so tempting.” But an unknown home aide? Aunt Tweet was her responsibility, not a stranger’s. The temptation still lingered when she picked up Aunt Tweet from the facility and continued all evening while they watched game shows.
The last thing Ava Elise said before Tabitha left was “I’m sure you’ll make it happen.”
Tabitha had wanted to say It’s not that simple but held her tongue.
After a restless night, she had come to a decision that she wouldn’t budge on. Sacrifices were part of her life now, so for the next six months, some things would have to be tweaked or eliminated, including evening events.
Before she used the bathroom, she tiptoed to Aunt Tweet’s bedroom. Inside, it was like a whole new world compared to the rest of Tabitha’s house. The decor was Victorian influenced with vintage, dark furniture where Tabitha preferred white modern furniture in her bedroom, including wood shutters. An oversize floor rug and oil paintings gave her oasis splashes of color.
The thick curtains her aunt preferred kept the room dark day and night. Tabitha stepped closer to verify Aunt Tweet was resting peacefully and her breathing was even. Smiling, Tabitha was about to back out of the room when one of her aunt’s eyes popped open. “I’m still here.”
“Whew!” Tabitha almost jumped out of her skin. She patted her chest, trying to comfort her pounding heart. “You scared me.”
“Didn’t mean to, miss. I was just resting my eyes. I get up when the birds start chirping and fall asleep under the melody of the crickets and owls.”
“I’m Tabitha, your niece.” She didn’t add remember, because her poor aunt couldn’t.
Aunt Tweet only stared and nodded with a slight smile.
“It’s early, so you don’t have to get up yet. I’m going to take a shower, then make breakfast.”
Back in her room, Tabitha spied her powder-blue business suit hanging from a brass hook in her walk-in closet, which she’d had redesigned from a nursery off the master bedroom. The sunlight continued to brighten her room by the second, giving Tabitha a mental and physical boost. It was going to be a great day!
After her shower, Tabitha dutifully checked on her aunt, who was gone from her bedroom. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Tabitha shook her head as she searched the entire house. She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach as she imagined her aunt’s whereabouts.
The good day Tabitha had hoped for turned into a nightmare. She had thought after her cordial conversation with Marcus at the grocery store—maybe even an imagined slight attraction—they had that truce he’d mentioned. Nope. This morning, he had been the same jerk she had met the first time.
Now, they were back inside the house, and Tabitha thought about indulging in a sixty-second pity party, but she didn’t have the time to spare. She would schedule that later.
Sniffing back tears of frustration, she resisted asking Aunt Tweet why she was drawn to Marcus’s house. Instead, Tabitha performed her tasks with her aunt, praying to God to tame her frustrations.
Unlike the first time Aunt Tweet went missing and Tabitha managed to get to work on time, she was an hour late this time and apologized for her tardiness, hoping she still had a job. Ava Elise graciously accepted and continued with the training. Tabitha wanted to cry. She wasn’t one for dramatics, nor was she one to feel out of control or to be tardy. Why was her aunt pulling these stunts? Were children this mischievous, because Tabitha was starting to feel like the parent.
During the class’s midmorning break, Ava Elise pulled her aside. “Walk with me.”
“Okay.” She braced for a tongue-lashing or verbal warning as she followed her trainer through the door to the campus’s courtyard.
“What happened?” Ava Elise asked softly.
Shaking her head, Tabitha could barely open her mouth before the tears flooded her face. Ava Elise guided her to a nearby stone bench surrounded by meticulous flower beds. They reminded Tabitha that she and Aunt Tweet were supposed to work in the garden and plant flowers this coming weekend.
“Here.” Ava Elisa handed her a travel-size package of tissues from her suit pocket.
Nodding her thanks, Tabitha dabbed her eyes and blew her nose.
“Take a deep breath,” Ava Elise coaxed her. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“I’m so sorry. I’ve always maintained perfect attendance. I don’t practice tardiness—”
“Hey, I’m not worried about you being late. I won’t have you sign a verbal warning. I’m concerned about you. You looked flustered when you walked in.”
“My aunt”—Tabitha swallowed the lump in her throat, conjuring up the memories—“before I showered, she was in the bed. When I finished, Aunt Tweet was nowhere to be seen and I had the hunch she had wandered to this one neighbor’s house.”
Her trainer listened patiently, even though their break time had surely ended.
“My aunt and I are still adjusting to this new phase in her life. Aunt Tweet doesn’t remember who I am at times. She might freak out with a nurse’s a
ide in the house and I’m not there. I can’t attend my first company function, and I can’t promise to attend the next one and the one after that.” Tabitha knew she was probably asking to be terminated, but with her qualifications, she could get another job. There would never be another Priscilla “Aunt Tweet” Brownlee.
After a moment of silence, Ava Elise spoke. “I know you made a sacrifice to take in your aunt, even on a temporary basis, but life goes on, and you’re going to have to figure out how it goes on, juggling commitments at home and work.” She stood. “Take as much as time as you need to regroup. I know you won’t have any problems catching up in class.” To Tabitha’s surprise, Ava Elise bent and snapped the stem of a tulip, lifted it to her nose, then handed it to Tabitha. “Flowers always cheer me up.”
She laughed. “I can’t believe you did that.” Her eyes widened in disbelief as they both looked around the garden area, hoping no one saw what she’d done.
“Me neither.” Ava Elise grinned. “But I won’t tell if you don’t.”
“You stuck me with the evidence, so I’m walking back inside with you.”
Lean On Me
Available now!
About the Author
Pat Simmons is a multipublished author of more than thirty-five Christian titles and a three-time recipient of the Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country.
As a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth, Pat is passionate about researching her ancestors and then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing, unforgettable, life-altering experience. It is God who advances the stories she writes.
Pat has a BS in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and has worked in radio, television, and print media for more than twenty years. She oversaw the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions for fourteen years.
Pat converted her sofa-strapped, sports-fanatic husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter.
Read more about Pat and her books by visiting patsimmons.net or on social media.
Thank you for reading this Sourcebooks eBook!
Join our mailing list to stay in the know and receive special offers and bonus content on your favorite books and authors!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
Books. Change. Lives.
