I didn’t tell Nathan.
And I wasn’t sure I could stand another conversation about Ben being confused.
The following morning, I told Nathan I needed groceries.
He was in the garage, getting ready to clear leaves from the driveway.
“Can you keep an ear out for your mom?”
“Sure.”
I told Nathan I needed groceries.
“Ben’s watching cartoons.”
“Got it.”
I kissed Ben’s head and left.
At the supermarket, I pushed my cart through the produce aisle.
I picked up apples.
Bread.
Milk.
“Ben’s watching cartoons.”
Then I opened the camera feed on my phone.
Diane sat motionless in her wheelchair.
I watched for nearly a minute.
Nothing happened.
I almost closed the app.
Then Ben walked into the room.
I almost closed the app.
“Mom’s gone,” he whispered.
Diane looked toward the hallway.
Her fingers curled around the armrests.
I stopped moving.
Slowly, she leaned forward.
“Mom’s gone.”
Her shoulders shook.
