Lizzie was spending Thanksgiving with them, with her parents’ permission. She was in awe of Will when she met him. Tall, handsome, glamorous, exciting. At twenty-three, in his uniform, he looked like a movie star to her. She was twenty and a very pretty girl, but he treated her no differently than he did his younger sister, teasing them both like children. Ellen and Audrey were thrilled to see him. He had just been transferred to the Naval Air Station in San Diego, California, and he loved it there. He volunteered no information about his love life and answered none of his sister’s questions on the subject. But it was easy to guess that he was dating all the girls he wanted and had time for. Flying remained the love of his life and was his main focus. He was flying a North American SNJ by then. It was a single-engine fighter trainer. It had two seats, one for the pilot and the other for an instructor. It was a thrill to fly and Will loved flying it.

He had a quiet, serious conversation with Audrey about their mother before he left on Sunday night to return to his base. It had been a warm, easygoing family weekend, and Lizzie loved being part of it. The Parkers seemed to get along better than she did with her parents, although she was very close to her brothers.

While he was there, Will had noticed that their mother could no longer get out of a sitting position without help. Her arms seemed weaker, and walking had become even more difficult for her. Audrey had to go into the bathroom with her, and bathe her, to make sure she didn’t fall. Her muscles had gotten weaker, but her mind was sharp and clear.

“How do you think Mom really is?” he asked with deep concern. It was sad to see her slipping deeper into her illness, and less able to do things for herself. He could see the life his sister had in store for her. Audrey never complained about it. They both wanted their mother to live for many years, but sooner or later, Audrey’s whole life would center around their mother, and caring for her. The skills she had acquired in nursing school were already serving her well.