Page 14: Visions of the Past
December 28, 2011 Leave a comment
It had become awkwardly quiet in the room as Don and Sharon realized that the person they had come to visit was not the brother they once knew. Their mother had told them that Joe had forgotten some things, but it didn’t appear like Joe knew what they were talking about.
“Well, I guess we better get goin’. We’ll…ah…maybe stop by next week, huh? See how you’re doin’ next week?” Don stammered.
“Ya, I might not be able to come back to see you in the hospital again, but I’m sure you’ll be home real soon, and I’ll stop over then, OK?” Sharon said in an apologetic voice.
Don and Sharon gave their mom a hug and said their goodbyes. Christa was used to Joe not remembering anything, but she knew that this had been hard on Don and Sharon. She knew they wouldn’t be back to visit him.
As Don and Sharon were leaving Joe’s hospital room, Joe spoke.
“Make Tessie go away, too.”
Don and Sharon froze in their tracks. Christa turned and looked at Joe, stunned.
“Tessie?!” Christa urgently asked. “Joe, how do you remember Tessie?”
“She’s right there,” Joe pointed over to the corner of the room. “She’s hurt. She’s crying. I can’t help her.”
Tears came to Christa’s eyes, “Joe, Tessie died. She’s been gone a long time.”
“No, she’s right there…with me. She’s mad at me.” Joe was getting increasingly upset and his voice grew louder with each sentence. “I pushed her. I can’t help her. It’s my fault. It’s my fault!”
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