“Here you go. This pamphlet goes through the different stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The first phase, of course, is mild forgetfulness, often overlooked and smiled upon. The patient becomes increasingly more disorientated with time and place and has difficulties with complex problems, planning and decision making.
“They are often anxious, aware that something is wrong but deny it and become angry. They have difficulty coping with social situations and many times it’s hard for the family to accept the disease.”
“My father didn’t tell me. He died three years ago and I had no idea Mom was this sick. I found her like this when I came to visit.”
Joan nodded and continued, “The second phase is moderate confusion. Deterioration in daily skills like dressing and cooking, personal hygiene and financial management. Personality changes are striking. Fastidiousness, jealousy, aggression…”
Eden nodded her head in agreement. She had experienced all these traits in her mother.
“Further deterioration in memory and concentration, losing things, wandering, disturbed sleep.”
Eden nodded again, humbled that she had reacted impatiently instead of treating her mother like someone with an illness.
“Has your mother begun to experience incontinence?”
Eden wrinkled her nose at the memory of the toilet incident. “Yes.”
“I see. Phase three is severe dementia. Patients experience high levels of confusion, disorientation, agitation and sometimes aggression. There’s continual wandering, incontinence, delusions and hallucinations. Finally, in phase four, patients become immobile, unable to feed or care for themselves in any way.”
Even though Dr. Chan had said her mother’s condition would worsen, Eden hadn’t imagined the degree. Dizziness washed over her. “How long does it take,” she choked out, “to get through all the phases?”
“A patient can suffer from Alzheimer’s for up to twenty years. The first many years of suffering are quite mild and the patient often goes undiagnosed until the latter stage of phase one and even into the early stage of phase two.
“Eden, it’s very important that you take care of yourself. You’ll be of no help to your mother if you fall apart.” She handed Eden the other pamphlets.
“Perhaps you can hire a home care worker or house keeper. There’s respite care to give you a break and even day care for seniors.”
Joan rose from her seat while saying, “Think about it and give someone a call. I’ll contact you again to see how you’re doing.” With that Joan gathered her bag and her jacket, and left with a sunny good-bye.
Eden checked on Eleanor and Sophie in the kitchen. They were emptying a bag of cookies and Eden poured them tall glasses of milk. Life’s simple joys.
Eden remembered her promise to Justin and called Marti at work. The radio played through the receiver while she was on hold, broadcasting an earlier interview between Marti and some local author or poet.
“Marti Rae here.”
“Hi, Marti. It’s Eden. Sorry to bother you at work, but I needed to get a hold of you.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Oh, no. It’s just, well, Justin got in last night and I’d really like to see him. I don’t suppose you’re free to watch Mom and Sophie tonight? I know you’re busy with Arnold now and I feel terrible for asking but I don’t have anyone else.”
“It’s okay. Arnold has to work tonight, so no problem.”
“Thanks, Marti. I owe you.”
Eden had no idea how she’d repay Marti but she just couldn’t face Justin’s disappointment if she had to postpone further.
29
Eden
“IT’S ME.”
“Yup, come on in.”
The buzzer sounded to release the iron gate that was part of a concrete wall that enclosed a community of high end condominiums. Eden shifted into first gear and putted through. Though she had been invited over before, this was the fist time Eden had actually visited Justin at his place. She pulled into the driveway marked #14. All the units were finished with crisp taupe siding, and had pebble and concrete walkways that led to heavy wooden doors illuminated with brass lamps. The yards were sharply trimmed with uniformed, professional landscaping. Large windows overlooked a ridge blanketed with city lights. Eden was impressed.
It had been more than two weeks since Eden had last seen Justin and she stood at the doorway nervously licking her lips and primping her hair. The doorbell rang with broad heavy tones.
Justin opened the door and stared at her.
“Hi,” she said.
Justin pulled her in, closing the door with his foot and planting a kiss on Eden’s startled face. His breath tasted strongly of alcohol and cigarette smoke.
“Wow! What a greeting!” Eden said, sneaking out from under his arms.
“I missed you.”
“Yeah, me too,” Eden responded with a tone that lacked commitment. She sauntered over to the ivory leather couch and sat down.
“Wanna drink?” Justin handed her a glass of amber liquid.
“Thanks.” Eden didn’t drink hard liquor but she needed something for her hands to hold. “Nice place you have here. I didn’t know photographers made such good money.”
Marble tile in the entrance and kitchen matched the champagne-coloured carpets that covered the rest of the place. Glossy white appliances in the kitchen contrasted with the old takeout food containers left out on the counter. A black stained oak entertainment unit that covered an entire wall matched the coffee and end tables, which were topped with brass lamp stands that had shades the same colour as the carpet. Track lighting on the ceiling highlighted numerous black-and-white photographs, presumably Justin’s work, casting shadows across the room. Eden thought it produced a cool, unwelcoming effect. She settled back into the couch, trying to relax.
“Hey, me and the bank own this baby. That’s why I hustle work. The project out east was good for me.”
“I’m happy to hear that.” Eden pretended to sip her drink. Justin offered her a cigarette and she accepted with a nod. He clicked open an expensive lighter and held it for her.
“Have you seen these?” Justin said, pointing to the prints on the wall. “I shot them at White Rock last spring.”
Eden put her drink down on the end table, placed her cigarette in the ashtray and got up to stand beside him. The photos were taken from the dock that extended about seventy-five feet out into the Pacific Ocean. The weather-worn wooden railing framed the forefront of the scene with the ocean seemingly touching the white-capped peak of Mount Baker in the background. Streams of sunlight punctured wisps of low-lying fog scattering breathtaking diamonds of light. It was a fabulous shot.
“This is great, Justin!” Eden said. She wandered around the room admiring his work from other familiar settings. English Bay, Stanley Park, Whistler Mountain. “You’re really good at what you do.”
Justin stepped up behind Eden and wrapped his hands around her waist. He snuggled his chin into her neck and whispered, “You’re beautiful.”
Eden stiffened. She knew where this was leading and she just wasn’t ready for it. Maybe it was the fact that she had never been with any man other than Cade. She wasn’t sure why it mattered, just that it did. Plus, she was legally still married, a fact that didn’t seem to matter before.
She giggled foolishly, weaselling out of his arms, her mind searching for a way to divert him. “So, where are we going tonight? A movie?”
Justin lifted his glass to his lips and emptied it. “I got an idea.” He entered a room down the hall in which Eden could see the corner of a bed. He came out with his camera. Flash.
“Hey! What are you doing?” Eden said.
Justin continued to click away, snapping photos of Eden making very unpleasant faces.
“Stop that! You’re wasting film.”
“Just relax. I always thought you’d make a great subject. Here sit on this.” Justin pulled out a stool and like a donkey, Eden sat on it.
<
br /> She decided to play along. If he was going to take her picture she could at least try to look good. She took a deep breath.
“That’s better,” he said. “You’re doing great.”
Eden flung her hair back and laughed. Look out Claudia Schiffer.
“Keep moving, Eden. That’s it. Chin up. Now down. Beautiful. Look over your shoulder.”
“That’s enough now. Don’t you think?” she said.
“Just a few more. Here, why don’t we do this?”
Justin walked over to Eden looking her straight in the eyes. His were glossy and narrow, hers wide like a deer. He began to undo the buttons on her shirt. A tremor shot through her whole body. Her hand flung up to stop him.
“Don’t.”
“Oh, Eden. You really oughta loosen up. Come here. I want to show you something.” He took her hand and led her to his bedroom.
“Justin.”
“I just want to show you something.”
Large dark wood furniture filled the room. Justin flicked the switch turning on another set of track lights. Again black-and-white photographs covered the walls, but these were of a different landscape. Every single one was of a beautiful woman, all of them very nude.
“What is this?” Eden tried to pull her hand away but Justin held on tighter.
“This is how I make the best money. The other stuff doesn’t even pay for the heat.”
Eden had seen enough. She had no intentions of pursuing a relationship with someone who made his living shooting pornography.
He pulled himself in closer to her. Eden tensed up. “Let me take your picture, Eden. C’mon. It’ll be fun.”
“You’ve had too much to drink. I’m going home.”
“You’re not going anywhere, doll.” Justin pushed her up against the wall, pinning her there with a firm grip on her shoulders, and thrust his tongue into her mouth. Eden shook her head violently.
“Are you crazy? You’re hurting me. Let go!”
His grin was hard and evil. “You think you’re better than me, don’t ya? Just like in high school. I was a peon you stepped on without a second thought. My embarrassment meant nothing to you. You think you’re better than everyone. Don’t ya? Better than those girls on my wall.”
His right hand held Eden fast while his left hand ripped at her shirt. The buttons popped off and bounced on the soft rug. Eden managed to free a hand and slap Justin’s face. The moment of surprise gave her an opportunity to escape. She ran for the door.
Justin leaped for her, catching her by her ankles. Eden fell hard. He stood over her and began to unzip his jeans. Eden screamed.
The rest was like a slow motion horror film. Justin grabbed her. She bit his arm, drawing blood. He smacked her across the head, knocking her dizzy. She kept thinking that this couldn’t be happening to her. This only happened to prostitutes and women who walked alone after dark.
Justin pinned Eden down with his body weight. His kisses revolted her, and he stopped only long enough to call her vile names.
When Justin shifted his weight suddenly, Eden was able to free her right arm. She reached up, fingering the edge of the end table until she could grasp the brass legs of the lamp. She pulled it down hard across Justin’s head. He slumped.
She didn’t wait to see if he was okay. She grabbed her purse, pulled her tattered clothing together and made a beeline for the car.
30
Eden
THE WASHERS slapped the windshield, a rhythmic rebuke. Rain streamed down the glass, and tears down her face. Eden drove by instinct. She couldn’t see. By some miracle she made it home without incident, but she was unable to remove herself from the car.
Shock coursed through her body, and she began to heave heavily. Giant sobs escaped through her lips. In vain she tugged at her shirt, struggling to cover herself.
She stayed there long enough to cause Marti concern. Her head had peeked out through the curtains when Eden had driven up. After a second peek, she came outside and skipped over to the car window.
“Eden?” She let out a startled scream. Eden hadn’t noticed the blood on her face.
“Oh dear God, what happened to you?” She assisted Eden back into the house, where Eden slumped into her chair. She was too distraught to form sentences that made sense.
Marti covered her with an afghan. Then she ran up to the bathroom, returning with a warm face cloth. She began to tenderly sponge her face.
“Did Justin do this to you?” She was down on her knees, her eyes angry slits of accusation.
Eden nodded and put the Kleenex that was in her hand to good use.
“I knew it! I should have warned you, Eden. I should have said something.”
“What? How could you have known?”
“Oh, Eden, it was only a hunch, just a feeling. He came to our Christmas party last year, you know, to take pictures and do a story for the paper. He hung around the punch bowl and got quite drunk. He tried to pick me up, and when I brushed him off, well, he said some foul things about me, and women in general.”
Eden gestured mutely. “It’s not your fault, Marti. I wouldn’t have listened to you anyway.” It was painful to come face to face with your own shortcomings. She knew that had Marti said anything negative about Justin at the time, she would have been offended.”
“We should call the police,” Marti said.
“No. I don’t think attempted rape goes very far in court. You know what happens to women who report sex offences against men? Their names and history go on trial. Their lives go on public display, and God help them if there’s anything juicy hidden there. It won’t be what he did to me, but what I did to deserve it!” She sniffed and tapped her nose with the tissue. “I can’t do that to Sophie, or Mom or myself.”
Marti nodded, giving in. “I’ll make us some tea.” Her red hair bobbed with her gait as she left for the kitchen. Eden huddled deeply into her chair. Marti returned shortly with two mugs of steaming brew.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t spill it,” Marti said gently. “You’re still shaking. Maybe I should hold it for you.”
Eden was touched by her friend’s concern. “It’s okay. I’ll be careful.” She stared at her battered reflection in the window. “You know what the worst part was? Not knowing what to do. He was so strong. I was helpless against him.”
“How did you get away?”
“By God’s grace.” Eden shared the details. Somehow it made her feel better. “I think I’m going to take a course in self-defence. I never want to be in that position again.”
“Good idea.”
Eden could tell by how Marti sat, stiff and upright and how she breathed heavily through her nose that she was still very angry. Marti cared about her.
“You’re a true friend,” she said with a little hiccup. “Really.” Compared with Hillary’s betrayal, Marti treated her as an angel would. Eden cried fresh tears of appreciation.
Marti hopped up, rested on the fat arm rest, and embraced her, squeezing tightly. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
“Oh, Marti! I’m such a fool!” Eden plucked the last tissue from the box.
“We all misjudge character some time.”
“It’s not just that. This whole thing has just underscored what a gem I had in Cade. I think I still love him, Marti!” Eden moaned in emotional agony. “I’ve lost the only man I ever loved.”
“Stop making so much darn noise!” They hadn’t heard Eleanor come down the stairs. She stood with one hand on the railing and one hand on her hip. “People are trying to sleep you know!”
“Sorry, Mom. We’ll be quieter.”
Eleanor continued slowly down the stairs and limped into the kitchen. They were greeted with the sounds of clanging pots and dishes.
“Why don’t you go to bed, Eden. I’ll watch your mother.”
It was too gracious an offer to accept, but Eden’s weary body and soul still nodded in agreement.
“Thanks, Marti. I owe you, again
.”
31
Eleanor
A CRISP, golden leaf fell silently, gliding side to side until it landed softly on a pile: just another leaf in hundreds, thousands, of others like it, unnoticed by most.
The mother and child saw it. They busied themselves in the discovery and exploration of an enormous world, the world as seen through the eyes of a small child.
She was Ellie’s joy, her substance, her reason for living. Dana brought meaning to her life in this oppressive, guarded existence. With her, the colours of autumn exploded, crisp and vibrant, alive with beauty. Hope came alive, even to a heart too heavy, too tired, too disappointed to hope.
Ellie snuggled deeper into her sweater, allowing herself to embrace joy, to be gratified by laughter. Her little daughter was still unsteady in her most recent accomplishment, walking. She tumbled head first into a mountain of damp leaves.
“Dana, be careful.” Ellie rescued her daughter, suppressing her chuckles. “Go slower next time. Then you won’t fall.” The word slow meant nothing to little Dana. Soon she was down again, never succumbing to tears, always a curious adventurer.
“Dana, I swear you’re going to run me off my feet. Is there nothing that will keep you still?”
Even as she said the words, she was infinitely relieved that her daughter was so spirited. So unlike her.
It was a time of thanksgiving. That was what the celebration was about, wasn’t it? Harvest, plenty to tide one’s family over for winter. October was a lonely month with Josh gone, but soon he would be back. Ellie was thankful for that, and for not having to endure the holiday alone with her in-laws.
Subtly she suggested inviting her pa. Her query was met with a shrug, a gesture suggesting deceitfully that the request was not understood, not heard, nor, should it be repeated.
On impulse, she took Dana over to her pa’s one day. The house was empty, eerie. She peered in through the windows and was appalled by the mess. How sad her ma would be if she could see the broken-down state of her home and her family now.
East of the Sun: a 20th century inspirational romance. Page 11