My Rock

by Pat Simmons

  “Of course. Plus, we have support groups and events to bring awareness about the disease, such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in September.”

  “Right now, we need someone to watch her aunt so she can get that alone time.”

  “Not a problem,” the representative said. “We’ll get you a list of some health professionals ASAP.”

  He was impressed by the woman’s caring attitude, and before they disconnected, the list came via email. Marcus prayed for guidance and made some calls.

  Next he called Tabitha. “Hey, baby. How’s it going?” He hoped the cheerfulness in his voice would bring her some cheer.

  “It’s going. Thanks for thinking of me.”

  “All day, every day.” He smiled. “Do you trust me?”

  “You know I do. More than my sisters right now.” The sadness in her voice was apparent.

  Marcus hoped her ache would subside with his move. “The love you have for one another is greater than the circumstances. You have to believe that. Anyway, I spoke with someone at the Alzheimer’s help desk about respite care.” He paused. “I asked a home health aide to come to your house tomorrow, so we can interview her.”

  “Umm. I don’t know.”

  “Listen, baby, if I could wash your hair and polish your nails, I would, but I can’t. I heard you when you said you need some ‘me time’, but there’s this whole big organization that is ready to act. You can’t expect help from your sisters far away, even if they came every weekend.”

  “Does this mean you’re pulling away from me?” she asked softly.

  Wounded that she would think such a thought, he lowered his voice. “No, girlfriend. It means I’m stepping up even more because I love you.”

  She relaxed. “I’ll go along with an interview, but you know my concerns about a stranger.”

  “Yes. I understand your concerns about someone in your home alone and leaving Aunt Tweet in their care.” Because he anticipated her worry, Marcus planned to surprise her with a wireless security system like the one he had, so when she was out and she had doubts, she could monitor what was going on at home. He would tell her that once a candidate was chosen.

  “Thank you for taking my problem and making it yours.”

  “When I love someone, it’s what I do, and I love you very much.”

  “FINALLY, YOU’RE GETTING the help you need,” Ava Elise said when Tabitha told her what Marcus had done after a morning meeting with the sales reps.

  “I said I was willing to interview.” She still wasn’t sold on the idea, neither had she discussed with her sisters that option, but she did trust Marcus, and more importantly, the Lord.

  “By the way, I heard your numbers were good last month.” Ava Elise grinned. “Doctors are writing prescriptions in your territory.” She lifted her hand for a high five. Tabitha obliged.

  “I can only give God the credit for letting me find favor with the physicians.” Although she hadn’t found it with her sisters, she thought as she waved goodbye and headed to her first physician’s office.

  The day zoomed by until finally, it was time to get Aunt Tweet from Bermuda Place. She thought about what her sisters would say about leaving an unsupervised stranger in charge of their aunt’s care. Almost immediately, she missed their bond. It hurt that they hinted she wasn’t doing a good job. Maybe, they were right. She wasn’t a good caregiver. Kym never had any complaints as one.

  Parking the car, she walked inside, and surprisingly, Aunt Tweet was waiting in the lobby with her purse in her lap, ready to go. That was a first. Usually, her aunt had to be coaxed away from a craft or the snack table. She seemed tired as she stood to greet her. “Where have you been?” she scolded.

  Whoa. After signing Aunt Tweet out and waving at some of the staff, Tabitha explained on the way to the car. “I’m sorry. I was working. Did something happen?” She silently prayed that her aunt hadn’t been subject to any incidents of abuse.

  “I want to go with you,” she said as Tabitha drove off.

  She didn’t want to patronize her aunt, but she knew God didn’t want her to lie either. “Maybe on another evening event.” If Marcus was available, all three of them could go together. She wanted Ava Elise to meet the angel God had sent her.

  Her aunt glanced out the window at their passing surroundings, then looked back at her. “This is a new car, ain’t it?”

  Tabitha hid a chuckle. Her aunt cautioned them for using improper grammar growing up. It was odd to hear it spilling from her lips. “Yes, this is a company car. I turned the rental in a while back.”

  She arrived at her house to see Marcus was sitting on her steps with a food bag. Yes! All the stress and tension from the day eased.

  Getting to his feet, he grinned, then switched the package to the other arm as he swaggered toward them. He opened her car door. “Hey, girlfriend.” He kissed her lips, then walked around and helped Aunt Tweet.

  “Why are you so wonderful?” she asked as he escorted them to the door.

  “Because I have a wonderful woman.” He kissed her hair. Within minutes, they had washed their hands as Aunt Tweet attempted to set the table. She had four plates and three forks.

  The doorbell rang by the time they finished dinner. An older plump white lady with cherry-red hair introduced herself as Betty, a home companion. They welcomed her inside. After offering her some refreshments, they began the task of interviewing her.

  “Miss Betty, what type of background do you have, and how would you handle a combative situation?” he took the lead.

  “My job is to provide companionship, activities, bathing, light cleaning, or simply to watch television with the client.”

  “What about combative behavior?”

  She was so proud Marcus had noticed too that Miss Betty hadn’t answered the question.

  “I’m trained to diffuse the situation with a distraction. I allow the client to calm down, then I try to find out the source of the aggravation. Depending on the scenario, it may be best to move the person to a safe environment, and the list goes on. If the behavior is a health risk, I am instructed to call 9-1-1 and then the caregiver.

  “As you can imagine,” Tabitha began, “I’m struggling to admit that I need your services, and so to be truthful...I have trust issues with a stranger in my house, sometimes unsupervised, since I’m thinking I might need care one or two evenings a week.” She shrugged.

  “And perhaps some Saturday evenings,” Marcus added.

  “I understand your concerns. To be honest, I’m always prayerful that I’m going into a safe environment for myself. As you may know, we have to pass a background check, and we are insured and bonded.”

  “How about a trial run this Friday for a few hours, so she can go get her hair done?” He winked, pulling Tabitha closer, then handed her a gift certificate.

  Marcus’ gesture caused the potential homecare worker’s eyes to twinkle. “Sounds good to me. I never miss my hair appointment to touch up my roots.”

  They all laughed, even Aunt Tweet, who later commented the woman was wearing a bad wig.

  Chapter 28

  F

  riday evening, Tabitha invited Miss Betty to arrive early enough to join them for dinner. While the home companion tidied up afterward, Tabitha indulged in a long hot bath—at least fifteen minutes—all while monitoring activity in her kitchen area. It was courtesy of the home security system Marcus had installed to ease her mind. He had even forfeited a night of hanging out with Demetrius to supervise the first visit between Aunt Tweet and Miss Betty.

  After her bath, she leisurely massaged lotion into her pores, then slipped on a sundress. She sighed as she wiggled her toes before sliding into sandals. Feeling carefree, she bounced down the stairs into the family room. Marcus stood and whistled. Blushing, she giggled.

  She kissed her aunt, thanked Miss Betty, and gave Marcus the tightest hug she could before gazing into his eyes. “Thank you.”

  He brushed his lips against her forehead.
“You’re welcome, baby. Enjoy your ‘me’ time.” His eyes sparkled with mischief.

  Grabbing her bag, she raced out the house and did a two-step. Inside her car, she screamed, “Thank You, Jesus!”

  Crowning Glory Salon II wasn’t far from downtown, and she enjoyed the twenty-minute cruise before she exited off I-70 at Tucker Boulevard.

  The owner, Constance, greeted her at the door with a smile. “Right on time. My instructions were to give you a deep shampoo.” She chuckled. “I think he meant a deep conditioner, but let’s get your facial out of the way first.”

  While waiting for phase one of the services, Tabitha checked the live home video on her phone.

  Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. All three were watching an old black-and-white movie on her flat-screen television. All of a sudden, Marcus held up a sign behind his back: Miss you! Why are you watching this? Love you. Take your time, beautiful. Tabitha released a fit of giggles.

  How did he know? She kept watching, then realized he was displaying the same message at different time frames. Tabitha loved him. Slipping her phone back in her purse, she thought about her parents. They really would have liked—no loved—Marcus. Aunt Tweet liked him too. Her sisters? She wasn’t sure. Constance instructed her to close her eyes and relax for her facial. Tabitha snoozed off.

  Returning home three hours later, Tabitha felt rejuvenated. Look at what some down time had done to her psyche. Aunt Tweet was already in bed. Miss Betty was watching television while Marcus dozed on the sofa. Some watchdog he was.

  After thanking and saying good night to the home companion, she nudged Marcus’ shoe. He sprung up immediately, as if he weren’t asleep, and his jaw dropped. His bold, appreciative scrutiny made her feel beautiful. “Wow, girlfriend.” Leaping to his feet, he engulfed her in a tender embrace and sniffed her hair.

  Pulling away, she rubbed his jaw and stared into his eyes. “Thank you so much for suggesting this.”

  “You’re glowing, baby.”

  She beamed. It was a toss which endearment made her blush more, “girlfriend,” or “baby.” Feeling playful, she teased, “Make sure you ask me to marry you.” Really? Did she just propose?

  He guided her lips to his, kissed her good night, and tugged her to see him to the door. Before she closed it, he said softly, “When I do, make sure you say yes.”

  AFTER TABITHA’S LONG overdue girl’s night out, she and Marcus were about to embark on their first official date, and she was hyped. Why had she fought him so hard against it for so long? Was Aunt Tweet really an excuse, or was that the excuse she was using to keep her distance at the time?

  She couldn’t remember the last time she had been on a date. Her mind replayed the conversation as they were watching Aunt Tweet relax on a bench at the pond, holding Sweet Pepper.

  “Babe, you’ve been my girlfriend since the day I realized you couldn’t cook.” His declaration made her heart dance, despite his tease, referring to time she had burnt spaghetti and set off the fire alarm.

  That remark had earned him a punch in the arm, and he had feigned injury. “Ouch. Seriously, we’ve been dating since the day you stole that scarf off my front porch.”

  “Stole?” she challenged him. “I was simply retrieving personal belongings.” Their playful banter continued until Tabitha sobered. “It hasn’t been very exciting though. I signed up to be a caregiver. You didn’t.”

  Marcus didn’t have a catchy comeback. She wondered what he was thinking. “Nothing happens by chance. I don’t care how I met you, Tabitha Faye Knicely.” He gathered her hands in his and brought them to his lips. “You paraded your beautiful legs on the runway to my door. Now, I can’t let you walk away.”

  Coming out of her reverie, she concentrated on raiding her closet for the perfect outfit. The intensity of his sweet words had gotten her through a rough work week where two doctors she had hoped would be excited about her company’s new drug for treatment of sinusitis, didn’t even want to accept samples.

  Unaware, Aunt Tweet had set the course for her unexpected relationship upon her arrival. She had given Tabitha so much over the years. Even now when her memory was failing, she was credited with Marcus entering their lives, becoming their friend, her confidant and caregiver aide, and now, she sighed, he was her boyfriend.

  She yearned to text her sisters about her first date. However, she was certain they wouldn’t take too kindly to their aunt’s care being left in the hands of a stranger, even though Miss Betty had earned their trust. Kym had been all wrong about Marcus. He was a real man’s man.

  Refocusing again, she decided on a flirty ensemble that still displayed the price tag. The lightweight multicolored knit dress with its long fringes at the hem was perfect for a summer evening. Next, she slid her feet into a pair of three-and-a-half-inch heels that left her toes peeping out. The front was faux leather and the rest was a multi-colored fabric that matched her dress.

  After her makeup, she tackled her mass of curls by brushing her hair up into a ball, because of the night heat. Drop earrings accented her look. Her doorbell rang as she surveyed her appearance.

  Pulling herself away from the floor-length mirror, Tabitha grabbed her purse and shawl. Marcus’ deep voice downstairs sent shivers down her arms as she descended the staircase, gliding as she and her sisters had done many times as children, pretending to be princesses or beauty pageant winners.

  The way his eyes followed her every movement made her silly childish fairytale come true. Aunt Tweet and Betty were staring too. He met her at the landing with a dazed expression.

  Without breaking eye contact, he lifted her hand to his lips. Her heart raced. “You’re more beautiful every day.” Next, he kissed her cheek. “And I am a very blessed man,” he whispered, before brushing his lips against hers in the briefest of moments because of their audience. Finally, he twirled her under his arm as if she was his dance partner.

  “You look beautiful,” Miss Betty said in awe.

  “Thank you.” She faced her aunt for approval.

  “You need a crown like I wore years ago on that stage.” Her eyes twinkled.

  Tabitha had yet to confirm the story about a beauty pageant. There was nothing mentioned in the newspaper archives or old photos among her belongings. Her accolade was a steady reminder that her aunt was there with her physically, but becoming a familiar stranger.

  Thanking her, she turned back to Miss Betty. “You have my contact number—and Marcus’. Call me—” She was nervous, but not about the first date. Tabitha was having second thoughts. Would Aunt Tweet be okay? Was Miss Betty really, really trustworthy? The what-ifs continued until Miss Betty seemed to address her unspoken musings.

  “Enjoy your night, Miss Knicely. Your aunt and I will be fine.”

  Tabitha nodded and quietly prayed, Lord, I’m trusting You to please watch over my aunt.

  Opening the door, she sucked in her breath at the sight of a black limousine double-parked at the curb. Facing Marcus, she opened her mouth, but no words came out.

  He tapped her nose. “For you.” Looping his arm through hers, he guided her down the steps and walkway as if they were on a Hollywood red carpet.

  Once in the limo, she snuggled against his chest and closed her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He kissed her hair. “For what?” He nudged her closer as he stretched out his long legs.

  “For coming into my life and staying.”

  He chuckled. “We can thank Aunt Tweet for that.”

  She smiled. “Funny, I was thinking the same thing tonight.” Angling her body, Tabitha faced him and rubbed the silky hairs that covered his jaw.

  “Even though I was unjustifiably angry at you, I’ve seen for myself how she can disappear in a flash.” Marcus fingered her chin, then guided her lips closer to his. His touch, more like a nibble, was tender before he pulled away. “Once you captured my heart, I couldn’t walk away,” He choked, clearly emotional with his confession.

  Tabitha wanted
to shed tears of joy, but she wasn’t going to ruin her makeup, not even for the man she deeply loved. She was content to rest her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat until they arrived at their destination.

  The Prince of Broadway musical was refreshing and rejuvenating at the Friedman Theatre in downtown St. Louis. She only wondered about Aunt Tweet once—not counting the time Marcus asked for an update. To ease her curiosity, he urged her to pull up the video where she saw Aunt Tweet and Miss Betty watching television. During intermission, she called. “Just checking in.”

  “Everything’s fine. As a matter of fact, we both were dozing.” Betty chuckled.

  “Be careful, that’s when my aunt is known to pull her best disappearing acts, when I dozed.” Now concerned, she gnawed on her lips as her heart raced.

  “No worries, Miss Knicely,” Miss Betty said in a professional tone. “I only meant to say that as all is well. Your loved one is under good care.”

  After saying goodbye, he asked, “Everything okay?”

  Tabitha patted her heart to calm her heart beat “Yes.”

  “Good.” Taking her hand, Marcus tugged her back into the auditorium for the conclusion of the play. After a standing ovation, they strolled unhurried to their waiting limo, which whisked them off to dinner.

  The candlelight, ambiance and food were surreal. Tabitha couldn’t remember feeling so content and happy like a real-life princess. It had been so long since she’d felt normal. Rachel and Kym would be so happy for her. She twisted her lips in wonder.

  “Hey, are you worried about Aunt Tweet?” Concern was etched across his face, and he placed his hand on top of hers.

  “A little, but not really.” She shrugged and turned away. “Actually, I was thinking about my sisters. We all wondered who would find love first.” Since their last gathering was a bust, she doubted her sisters would be cheering about the little bit of happiness she’d experienced tonight.

  Marcus rubbed her hand with his thumb. “I’ve been praying for the Knicely sisters to reconcile. I can’t imagine a divide like this with my only brother. Even though we can irritate each other big time sometimes, family is family.”