Forgotten Sweethearts: A Romance Novel

by Bender, Melissa

  Also, she resented some of the staff when they helped her go to the toilet and bathe her. She had always been uptight about getting undressed and frankly some of them performed their tasks robotically, they seemed to think that Alzheimer’s patients are unaware of their surroundings and would not notice much. I think, however, that even in her condition, my mom could recognize crappy attitude and she resented how some of them treated her for making their jobs difficult.

  Every time I visit her, she wants me to take her home, and it always broke my heart. It made me cry and sometimes when I couldn’t control myself anymore, I’d lose it right in front of her. I wish I were stronger.

  There are days when Mom would be lucid. She’d have these inexplicable moments of clarity when she would come out of her walled-off state.

  “Hi, Brandy! It’s good to see you here again,” greeted Jessica, one of the caregivers.

  “Hi, Jess. Nice to see you too!” I greeted her cheerfully. “Where is she?”

  “She’s in the garden.” I thanked Jess and headed to the garden. When I got there, I found her staring blankly at nothing.

  I walked toward her and when she saw me, her eyes glistened. “Mommy, where have you been?” Mom asked.

  “I went to see my brothers. We’re preparing for a flight to Verona tomorrow and have Carl’s wedding on Friday. I wish you could come and meet his bride.”

  She didn’t seem to understand anything that I said. Then she blurted out, “Have you seen my daughter Brandy? I haven’t seen her all summer. I wanted to talk to her.”

  I bit my lip and knelt down in front of her. I tried hard to blink away my tears and put up a fake smile. I held her hand and showed her the picture.

  “I remember this picture. This is my only daughter Brandy and my son Carl, Ken, and Gin. Their names are funny, aren’t they? My husband gave them names like that because he is a bartender in a local bar in our small town in Phoenix,” she recollected. “We took this picture together celebrating Carl’s graduation in high school. Oh they are putting icing all over my face,” she continued while laughing in between.

  “You look so happy in that picture.”

  “I was,” she replied then she hugged me. “Mom, tell my daughter I love her,” she whispered over my shoulder.

  “Yes, of course.”

  Nurse Jess came and announced that it’s about time for the residents to go to lunch so I got up and nodded at her. I looked at my mom again and I felt tears streaming down my cheeks. She didn’t seem to know what’s going on around her.

  “I’ll see you in two weeks, okay?”

  She nodded.

  I hugged her goodbye, like I always did after my visits. As I did so, I said, “I love you, Mom.”

  To my surprise, she said with great clarity, “I love you, too, Brandy.” Then as soon as she was lucid, she was gone again.

  I couldn’t help it, I started sobbing loudly.

  After my visit to the center, I drove back to my apartment. Before flying to Verona the next day, I needed to submit six articles to Chief, my editor. He’d have my head on a plate if I didn’t.

  I was an advice columnist for The Boston Daily. I went by my pen name Juliet, who on paper, was the most hopeless romantic girl ever.

  Unlike the real me. After what happened to my mother, I became paranoid. Alzheimer’s disease ran through my blood. Every generation has their representative, mostly women and I was the only girl in the family. I became afraid...afraid that I would be next.

  I started writing another article for my column and replied to one of the letters one of my avid followers sent me. The letter said:

  Dear Juliet,

  I’ve been dating a guy for about 6 months and it was going great until about two weeks ago when I accepted a job offer and moved to another state. I couldn’t be happier having a wonderful career and living the life that I’ve always wanted and he has been supportive of me, except for two things. First, we could barely see each other due to his work schedule but we made it work at first. Now, however, I don’t know when I’ll see him and I’m not sure how to approach the situation. Second, it bothers me is that he never tells me he loves me. I don’t feel that I should have to ask him to say the words. I love him but I don’t want to be attached to someone with whom I never get to spend time with anymore and will probably never get to hear those words from. I really don’t know what I should do and any advice would be helpful.

  Thank you in advance,

  Ms. Neglected

  Dear Ms. Neglected,

  You say that the relationship was going great until two weeks ago, which means that the employment and long distance situation has skewed your relationship. I’m sure that everything feels out of control right now.

  My advice is to focus on getting yourself where you want to be so that you can make decisions about your relationship with more confidence. I encourage you to initiate some kind of frank, authentic conversation with this guy.

  As for the “I love you” stuff, it’s a personal thing. Some people have to hear those three words, some people don’t. It’s something to think about for sure and with all that’s going on, ask yourself “Can I be happy in this relationship?” If no, then it’s time to go. Right now, your future is the most important thing.

  I’d just focus on what comes next for both of you – your career and his schedule.

  Sincerely,

  Juliet

  If you enjoyed this sample then look for Forever Night Stand on Amazon!

  Other books you might enjoy:

  Married to the Bad Boy

  Letty Scott

  Available on Amazon!

  Being the Bad Boy’s Victim

  Claire Monette

  Available on Amazon!

  Introducing the Characters Magazine App

  Download the app to get the free issues of interviews from famous fiction characters and find your next favorite book!

  iTunes: bit.ly/CharactersApple

  Google Play: bit.ly/CharactersAndroid

  Acknowledgements

  WATTPAD. Thank you so much, without this website I would have never taken the daunting step and posted my first ever story. I was hooked right from the very start! It started as a hobby, and is now my addiction.

  BLVNP. You truly are ninjas!! The incredible work that your team has gone through with this exciting adventure. Le-an Lai, you blew my mind with your very first email! I am forever blessed that you decided to take this chance on me. AJ, I feel sorry for what you had to read in each chapter LOL. Thank you for your hard work in making this book just right, you rock! The team of editors, and everyone else who helped make this dream come true, I love you all!

  MEL. My lightsaber partner in stopping crime! Thank you for the wonderful friendship. The daily banter, hysterical laughter and our silly dance moves. For being there and reminding me that I’ve got this and the book is going to be totally awesome!

  NETTY. Thank you nan, for always believing in me from the very start! Your excitement and eagerness pushed me to continue. No one was happier for me than you were.

  MUM. There’s a bottle of wine for you in my fridge!! I’m not sorry for all the daily phone calls, as I know you secretly love it! Thank you for always being there, and telling me I can achieve anything I want if I set my mind to it.

  AUNTY SANDRA. My second mum. If I ever needed a pick me up, all I had to do was call you. Thank you for always encouraging me and being here for me. It means more to me than you’ll ever know.

  KIKI & LOLO. You both must be super annoyed with me by now, going on and on about this book.. but hey, that’s what sisters are for! I promise to keep annoying you! I love you both!

  MITCHELL. I’m sorry for the many laptops you have had to buy me when I grew frustrated, and they somehow stopped working.. ha! Sorry for the days that I spent completely engrossed in my writing, not paying attention to you. I am grateful that you have allowed me to follow my dreams, and helped with making this happen. Thank you for you
r unconditional love and support. I love you millions!

  MY READERS. Thank you! Without you, this wouldn’t be possible! I have gained so many of you, and will be forever thankful that you choose to read my stories. I have so much more instore for you all, this is definitely just the beginning.

  Sweetly, Melissa. xo

  Author’s Note

  Hey there!

  Thank you so much for reading Forgotten Sweethearts! I can’t express how grateful I am for reading something that was once just a thought inside my head.

  I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to email me at

  melissa_bender@awesomeauthors.org and sign up at

  http://melissa-bender.awesomeauthors.org/ for freebies!

  One last thing: I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book. Please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads because I just love reading your comments and getting to know YOU!

  Whether that review is good or bad, I’d still love to hear it!

  Can’t wait to hear from you!

  Melissa Bender

  About the Author

  I'm wife to a FIFO miner. Mother of three. Passionate foodie, and a vivid dreamer. Living in a small beach town in the lovely Tasmania. I spend my time between home and down at the beach… making memories, and capturing the moments.

  When I'm not glued to my laptop, I'm either in the kitchen creating recipes, cooking, or having a Netflix binge session. Often, I find myself drifting off into the world of make believe, getting lost inside the stories I write.. I write because it's my passion. I want to create a world for my readers to get lost in.. For them to swoon, and fall in love the way I do with each character made.. Oh, and I love starbursts!

  Sweetly, Melissa xx