All right then. Plan B. Clear a temporary bedroom. Set another place at the table. Get Mel a decent set of new clothes, shoes, and a shaving kit. Set him up with a live-in nurse. Figure things out from there.
“There are medications that may help you regain some of your memory,” Doc Denton told Mel.
Of course, Mel, who knew absolutely nothing about everything, waved that smart suggestion off. “Don’t use drugs. Never have. Not going to start now.”
If true, that at least, was good to know. But he would take whatever medication Denton prescribed. Alex would make damned sure of that.
“It would be smart if you discussed this life change with your lawyer, Alex. Take care of what details you can, now. Powers of attorney. Living wills. Trusts and estates. Probate issues.”
Alex grunted. “That’ll be easy. He doesn’t own anything.”
“Yes, I do!” Mel declared, his chest stuck out again, like the braggart he was.
Again… there was no sense debating with a fool.
“Please stay in touch, Alex,” Denton said with a distinct undertone of sadness. “I know how hard this is going to be for you. My wife’s mother suffered with Alzheimer’s for years. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when life gets too tough. There are plenty of good resources for patients and caregivers. I’d like to see him next week if that’ll work for both of you. Make an appointment at the front desk on your way out.”
For years? Alex ran a hand over his head, the sudden yoke of caretaker for his elderly, belligerent father heavier than he’d expected. Guess that was part of the figuring-things-out stage. Which, until today, was something he’d always been good at. Making quick adjustments at the last moment. Plotting a sure azimuth in wicked, stormy weather. Only the monumental task before him now, felt more like a son of a bitchin’ category four hurricane than just a simple change of direction.
“You bet,” he replied with a sigh. “Come on, Mel. Let’s go.”
“Why, sure!” Mel exclaimed, as Denton helped him down off the table. “See ya later, asshole.”
“Next week,” Denton replied calmly.
“Thanks, Doc,” Alex said as he shook the patient, understanding guy’s hand. “Sorry about my dad—”
“Call me,” Denton interrupted sternly. “Don’t think you have to go through this alone. It’s going to get harder. Reach out. I will always be here to help you and your family.”
“Thanks. I will.”
At the front desk, Alex made the next appointment while Mel flirted with some young thing in the waiting area, like the old letch he was. The ride back to Kelsey was quiet. Alex had a lot on his mind. He still had to deal with Mother’s demand to be made partner, and he’d soon be losing Ember to a couple months of maternity leave. She wouldn’t be there to provide solid technical support. Beau Villanueva had proven to be a top-notch techie, but he didn’t mix well with Mother. Like that was a surprise. Beau didn’t appreciate being bossed, and bossing was what she did best.
The op with Jameson Tenney and Maddie had ended with them being secured at a nearby safe house. But Lucy Delaney—God, he hated that name—was still out there somewhere. She’d disappeared after Taylor and Maverick had tracked her down and confronted her. He’d sicced whatever TEAM agents were available on finding her, but so far, no luck. Eric had already phoned in a timely Sit Rep. All things at the safehouse were good. That, at least, was something.
Best news was Harley’s earlier call to say he’d officially quit his veterinarian job as of last night, and he was staying with The TEAM. The possibility of him leaving for greener pastures had worried Alex for months, had also contributed to his daily migraines. Losing Harley would’ve hurt like a son of a bitch. The TEAM was great in that it had created a family out of some of America’s best, sometimes most-wounded, warriors. But losing any member of that tightly knit family sucked. Harley wasn’t just an employee, he was a friend. And Alex needed every last one of the friends he had left.
“Let me out up ahead, shithead,” Mel grumbled, pointing somewhere off to his right. “By that there store over there. The one with red and green stripes.”
“Why? Are you hungry?”
“None of your business. I don’t butt into yours. Stay outta mine.”
There was no sense arguing with a man whose mind was slowly being eaten away. “Kelsey’s waiting for you,” Alex reminded his father, striving to be gentle.
“She is? You think Sissy’s there by now, too?”
Not that again. “Maybe,” Alex breathed as he maneuvered his vehicle through the entrance leading to the gated community where he’d built his version of a stone castle for his queen.
“Well, giddy-up, then. What’s taking you so long. Move it, you damn dummy!”
Alex bowed his head, once again back in time, being treated like shit by a man who’d never taken a breath without poisoning it with put-downs and name-calling. “No cursing in front of my wife and kids, Dad. You’re the one who needs help, not us.”
Mel had gotten hold of an extra fast food napkin from the console. He was doing one of those middle-stage tells, shredding the napkin without knowing what he was doing. And Doc Denton had said this stage could last years? God, help me.
Alex felt as if he’d been sucked into an oozing tar pit from which there was no escape.
“Yeah, well, I don’t need nuthin’ from you, not from anyone,” Mel groused. “Let me out. By that there store over there. See it? The one with red and green stripes.”
The only thing within range that resembled anything close to a fast food store was the guard shack straight ahead.
“Kelsey’s waiting for you,” Alex reminded his father again.
“She is?
