Page 25 of A Simple Reminder
The comfort in her words is a small balm, but the harsh reality of Dementia keeps a firm grip on my heart. “It’s just so hard. Watching him fade away, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”
“I can’t imagine how hard it must be.” Her voice is thick with sympathy. “But you’re not alone, okay? I’m here, even if it’s just to listen.”
“I just... I wish I could do something, anything to make things better for him.”
“Youaredoing something, Sophie. You’re there for him, and that’s more than enough. It’s more than many get.”
Her words encourage me to breathe a little easier, the knot in my chest loosening ever so slightly. “Thank you, Leora. I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime, love. How are you handling everything else? I’m so sorry we didn’t tell you about Liam. I thought it was a good idea, but blindsiding you guys might not have been the best. I just want you two to be friends.” Her words make me laugh a bit. If only she knew how much of a blindside it was.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, I was just so confused when I saw Mr. Ayoub behind the desk and not Lucas.” I manage a chuckle, trying to keep the conversation light.
“It must’ve been quite the surprise,” Leora says, a smile evident in her voice. “But hey, maybe it’s a good thing—a fresh start, perhaps?” Her tone is as hopeful as ever, though I can’t shake the feeling she knows more than she’s letting on.
I hesitate, suspicion creeping in. “It was your idea, wasn’t it?”
There’s a beat of silence before she groans, her words tumbling out in a rush. “Oh, fine! I can’t keep it in anymore. Yes, it was my idea. I’m sorry, okay? I should have told you, but I knew you wouldn’t agree to the project, and it’s such a great opportunity for you. And honestly, you and Liam need to stop being so awkward all the time. Every time we all hang out, you guys just dance around each other. And I want everyone to love each other and just be happy. And I?—”
“Breathe, Leora. It’s okay,” I cut in, holding back a smile. This girl is too much sometimes. “I mean, I wasn’t thrilled at first. But… sure, maybe you’re right.” I pause, letting the words settle before chuckling to myself.
“Enough about this, how are you? How is the pregnancy treating you this time around?” I shift the conversation, eager for something lighter.
“I’m good. This one’s been easier, or maybe I’m more used to the chaos of pregnancy hormones,” Leora responds with a chuckle, “but Lucas has been driving me insane. It’s as if he thinks I’m a porcelain doll, ready to break at any given moment.” She laughs, and I can almost hear her shaking her head. “Listen to this, last week, he followed me around the grocery store, not allowing me even to pick the tomatoes. And if anyone so much as sneezed in the same aisle, he’d give them the death glare like they were threatening the security of France!”
Leora’s recount of Lucas’ overprotectiveness makes me laugh out loud, a genuine belly laugh I hadn’t realized I so desperately needed. “That’s your Lucas, always on guard duty,” I reply, still chuckling. It’s typical of him to turn a simple grocery run into a full-blown mission.
We continue to talk, the minutes bleeding into two more hours. Leora’s voice is a steady beacon. She can always guide me through any storm. This conversation was exactly what I needed to help pull me back from the edge of my own worries. Her stories, filled with warmth and humor, remind me that there is still lightness in the world, even amidst personal trials.
Finally, as my last reserve of energy drains, I murmur, “I’m sorry for calling you this late. You should try to sleep.” It’s about two in the morning for Leora and only eight p.m. for me, but I’m already completely wiped.
“I’m always here, no matter what time. I’m always here for you, okay?” Leora reassures me, her voice a gentle command that makes me miss her even more. What did I do to deserve friends like this?
“Are you hearing me, Sophie? I’ll get on a flight the moment you need me to, and there’s always a room for you here, ” she insists, her determination clear even through the phone.
“I hear you, Leora. Thank you for everything. Goodnight, and please care for yourself and my new niece or nephew.”
“I will. Goodnight.” she replies softly, and we both hang up.
The love I have for her is indescribable. Before my mum left, I never had any siblings, but being lucky enough to have Adeline and Leora is the closest thing to it—and the best gift I could have asked for. Without them, my life wouldn’t be what it is today, filled with so much joy and love I never thought possible.
I curl deeper into the sofa, too tired to move to my bedroom. Her words echo in my mind, a soothing lullaby that helps carry me to sleep.
TWELVE
SOPHIE
TEN YEAR AGO
“Here you go, Sophie,” Marco says as he passes the white rolled-up joint to me. He’s one of Liam’s colleagues. I’ve met him once before, and just like then, his laid-back attitude borders on pushy, especially regarding things he enjoys.
I don’t smoke, not cigarettes and not joints. If I could choose, I wouldn’t be in a situation with drugs around me, but nowadays, smoking weed is almost as normal as smoking cigarettes, so it’s hard to avoid it, especially around here.
We’re in Marco’s studio apartment. The place is cramped but cozy, and it has this tiny balcony overlooking the vibrant streets below. It’s a lovely atmosphere sitting here, listening to the distant music and the chatter below–well, lovely if he didn’t try to force me to smoke.
“No, I’m good,” I answer, trying to keep my tone casual.
