Chapter 1

Veronica James had been a CNA for 20 years and was as devoted to her residents as ever.  She even won several Employee of the Month awards during her years at Paradise Hills Retirement Center.  All the residents loved Veronica, but one resident in particular always looked forward to seeing Veronica come to work, Betsy Carlson�"a 70-something lady in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Veronica was running late when she arrived at Paradise Hills 30-minutes late.  Betsy was worried for Veronica and was in a frenzy as other staff members tried to calm her down.  Nothing worked until Veronica showed up on the floor, wondering what was going on.

“What’s going on?” Veronica asked when she came onto the scene at the nurse’s station, only to find Betsy worked up.  But she seemed to calm down when she saw Veronica.

“Veronica, you’re here.” Betsy said, wiping her eyes.

“You know I’m always here for you.” Veronica said, trying to reassure Betsy.

“I’m sorry.” Betsy exclaimed as Veronica took her in her arms.  “Can we go somewhere quiet?  I need to talk to you.”

“Sure, Betsy.” Veronica told her. 

Veronica wheeled Betsy to her favorite spot in the fountain in the courtyard of Paradise Hills.  Betsy loved the serenity of the flowing water.  It gave her peace to be able sit there in her wheelchair and she loved Veronica taking time to be there with her, despite her heavy workload.  It showed how dedicated Veronica was to her job.

“Don’t leave me, Veronica.” Betsy pleaded with Veronica, as they sat outside the fountain.

“I won’t Betsy, but what’s really going on?”

“I got news from my doctor.  He told me my Alzheimer’s is getting worse.”

“Oh, Betsy, I’m so sorry.  Is there anything I can do?”

“Just be there for me.”

“I will.” Veronica said, as she hugged Betsy.  “You know I always will.”

“You’re the only one I have in this world.” Betsy told her.

“You have your children, Betsy.”

“They don’t come to see me anymore.” Betsy cried.

Veronica remembered that Betsy’s daughter, Cassandra, was just here last week.  How could Betsy forget that?  Then it hit her!  Betsy’s illness was starting to get worse. 

“Veronica, can you do something for me?” Betsy asked.

“Anything?”

“Can we go fishing?’

“Fishing?” Veronica asked.  “I don’t think the facility will allow me to do that?”

“Oh, please.  I miss fishing with my family.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Veronica said, not being very optimistic the facility would allow that.

“Thank you.” Betsy said.  “It would really mean a lot to me.”

“It’s almost time for dinner.  Shall we head inside for a bite to eat?” Veronica said as she pushed a piece of Betsy’s short black hair from her teary eyes.

Veronica wheeled Betsy back inside Paradise Hills and into the cafeteria-like dining room.   Betsy felt at ease and felt hope that Veronica would come through for her and give her her request. 

Reviews

[C.R. Fritz]

It's good, I like the story line and where it's heading. I'd change the repeating structure of the two sentences though:

“Fishing?” Veronica asked. “I don’t think the facility will allow me to do that?”
“Oh, please. I miss fishing with my family.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Veronica said, not being very optimistic the facility would allow that.

Maybe say: "I'll see what I can do." Veronica said placatingly, but not so optimistic.

[A Soap Mess Stories]

Thank you for the suggestions CR.

[Sebastian Romero]

Very interesting and intriguing! Really nice prose

[A Soap Mess Stories]

Thank you Sebastian