For now at least, there are moments when he seems to be just fine. But he becomes disoriented often. And his moments of confusion seem to be increasing in frequency.
"He had a pretty good day in some ways." Jay answers.
"In some ways? What do you mean?"
"I hope it'll help too. I don't want us to get our hopes up too much though. Sweetie, his condition will worsen with time no matter what." I don't want to be harsh, but I'm sure it's true.
"I know." Jay says. Then he's quiet for a moment. Probably filled with somber thoughts, just as I am. But he breaks the silence before long. "I know you're right, but at least today he was definitely better than two days ago."
"What happened two days ago?"
"Jay, I -" I start to say, but Jay interrupts.
"I know you want me to tell you these things, but that doesn't change the fact that I don't like to see you sad, Mom. But I guess I'll go ahead and tell you this story, since it'll help explain something else I wanted to tell you."
"Now you've really got my attention." I say.
"Two days ago, Dad had his worst episode, at least the worst I've seen him since the day he showed up asking you about his parents. He..." Jay pauses for a moment and shakes his head. "He didn't know who I was for a few minutes."
"Oh, sweetie. I'm so sorry."
"Mom, it's not your fault, and I'm okay. I knew it would happen eventually. Dad told me a while back that it would probably happen. He said that his parents forgot who he was sometimes."
"I'm still sorry this is happening. But go on, son, tell me exactly what happened two days ago."
"Then, he said, 'Hi, young man. Care to explain what you're doing in my house?'
"I said something like, 'Well, I live here.'
"And before I could say anything else he suddenly changed topics -You know how he is during an episode.
"I didn't exactly know how to respond to that, you know? All I managed was, 'Er... no... not really,' before he interjected.
" 'More of a one steady girlfriend type of man, I see. I'm like that myself, even when I was your age. Back then I had a real sweet girlfriend. Even sweeter than yours, I'd bet.'
"Then he said, 'Oh you cant be shy. Girls prefer for the man to make the first move, you know. You just have to get out there and talk to them, boy!'
"I told him, 'It's not so easy to meet girls, or anyone for that matter, these days.'
"It was about that time that I could see the awareness return in his eyes.
When Jay finishes his story, I'm left momentarily speechless. Then I tell him, "He's such a good man. I wish we could have him a little longer. But I think he'll always be with us... in our hearts... like he told you. Plus you I can see he passed quite a bit of himself down to you. Jay, you've grown up to be a darn good man yourself."
My unexpected compliment seems to make him blush. It isn't until Jay begins another story, that I suspect the blush might not have been caused by what I said after all.
"Thanks, Mom. Yeah I was pretty touched by what he said at the end there. I may or may not have had to wipe away a couple of tears. But later on I got to thinking about what he was saying while he didn't realize who I was. I started thinking that, even though what I said was true -- It isn't exactly easy to meet new people these days. -- Even though that's true, I still want to meet someone." Then, he paused... nervously? "Maybe a girl, you know."
"I see..." I stall, trying to think of some useful advice, but I'm at a loss. But it turns out Jay didn't need my advice, his story isn't finished.
"So I decided, I would start trying. Have you noticed that since the water supply was returned that more people have been out walking around?"
"Jay, have you been talking to strangers?!" I'm surprised, and as always a little worried.
I'm still a little cautious, but decide to trust his judgement, "Well? Are you going to tell me about them, or what?"
The first person I met was a girl named Macie. She seems so nice. She's so optimistic about things. She says she thinks things are really going to start to improve now that everyone has water again. She kept talking about how everything seems brighter. Apparently she and her dad are trying to start a garden somehow now that they can water the plants.
"They sound very... nice." I hedge. "But have you only been speaking to the girls that walk by. I mean... I'd love for you to meet someone you like that way, but I'm afraid they wouldn't be very happy if they thought you were out there just trying to catch a girl."
"So they're pretty?" I ask.
"Well, yeah. But that's not why I talked to them. Plus I did meet one person I don't really find pretty at all." Jay laughs at the look on my face, then continues before I can say anything.
I'm not really sure what to say to that, but I'm touched by his words more than I could ever say. After a moment I settle for, "Maybe they're right. Maybe the worst is behind us." Then I add. "And I sure would like to meet these new friends of yours at some point."