“Why are we outside?” she asked Paul, anger replaced now with confusion.

Paul’s face was lined with exhaustion and despair unlike anything Alex had ever seen, except for when their father was dying. “You wanted to come find Dad after your shower.”

“But Daddy died, didn’t he?” she asked in a small voice that made Alex want to sob with the utter injustice of this horrific illness.

“Yeah, he did,” Alex said, saving Paul from having to say the words. “Let’s go home and have some ice cream, Mom.”

“Not before dinner,” she said in a scolding tone that reminded Alex of the mother he used to know.

Paul turned to the employees who’d come out of the store and greenhouses to see what was going on. “Show’s over,” he said somewhat harshly. “Get back to work.”

“I think I’d like to take a nap,” Marion said when they got back to the house.

“The ladies are coming to take you to bridge night at church,” Paul said. “You want to go, right?”

“Of course I do. I’ve been looking forward to that. Wake me up in time to get ready, will you?”

The moments of lucidity were almost harder to bear than the departures from reality.

“Sure, Mom,” Paul said.

Alex walked her into the master bedroom and helped her into bed. He lowered the blinds and returned to the bed to adjust the covers over her. Bending, he kissed her cheek. “Sleep well, Mom.”

“Was I naked in front of all those people, Alex?”

“Just for a second. They understood you forgot your robe. Don’t give it another thought.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. You couldn’t help it. They know that.”

“You and Paul shouldn’t have to deal with this. You should be off having families of your own and instead—”

“We’re right where we want to be, Mom. We love you, and we’re happy to take care of you. Now don’t fret. Get some rest so you can enjoy the night out with the ladies.”

“I love you, too, Alex. And your brother. Tell him, will you?”

“I will.” Alex left her to sleep, wishing he were alone so he could indulge the need to howl with rage at the entire situation. In the family room, he found Paul sitting in one of the easy chairs, elbows on his knees, head in his hands. “She told me to tell you she loves you and she’s sorry for putting us through this.”

Paul’s head whipped up, his tearful eyes widening with surprise.

“Totally lucid,” Alex said.

“Son of a bitch,” Paul said through clenched teeth.

“What happened?”