Agatha shook her head. “Can’t you tell I just want to be left alone?”

“I know.” While she talked, Amalia set the tray on the chair by the bed, pulled back the covers, and helped lift Agatha to sitting up, at the same time stuffing pillows behind her. She unfolded the bib she’d laid on the tray and snapped it around the neck that was looking more turkey-like every day. “You are not eating enough to keep a bird alive.”

“You know birds can eat twice their weight in food every day.”

“Well, at least your mind is working.” She set the tray across her patient’s lap and dipped a spoonful of soup. Agatha rolled her eyes, but she opened her mouth and swallowed.

The eyes opened. “That is good.”

“I know, you think I’d bring you something not good?” She held out another spoonful. Lord, please bring life and joy back to this woman. She is too young to give up yet. Granted she was in her mid-seventies, but until Andrew died and this bug attacked her, she’d been doing well. One of the group, you might say.

“I give up.” She reached for the spoon. Part of the first spoonful hit the bib but she took a deep breath and tried again. This time her hand held more firmly.

“Try some of the bread, I think you’ll like it. Come to think of it, dipped in soup might make it even better.”

By the time the bread was gone, so was the soup. The pitcher was filled with water again, and Amalia brought in a cup of mint tea. “You didn’t specify so this is what you get. The mint might help clear your head.” She smiled at Agatha. “Now you drink this while I take Lily’s soup to her, and I’ll stop by on my way back. Did that home helper come today?”

“Was she supposed to?”

“Yes, to get you showered and change your bed, and she should have fed you lunch.”

“No, another no-show.”

“Did someone knock?”

Agatha wrinkled her forehead. “Perhaps. I don’t remember.”

“But you didn’t tell her to come in?” I better talk with those folks again. “The door wasn’t locked?”

Shaking her head, Agatha sipped her tea. “I told them not to send her.”

“I see. Did she call?”

Agatha did not look up again but she nodded.

“If someone can come tomorrow, I will tell them to stop at my place and I will bring her up and get her going.” She sniffed. “It’s beginning to smell like a sick room in here. Where are your air fresheners?”

“In the pantry.”

“I’ll be back in a while. You want the TV on?”

“No.”

“Enjoy your tea.” Amalia strode to the door, picked up her bag, and headed back out in the hall. One more to go.

Lord, am I doing what is best here? Agatha might need nursing care. When did she last see the doctor? Or did the visiting nurse come see her? All alone, Agatha was all alone.