When my husband begins to tear up, the celebration hosts are touched. "Such a sensitive man," I imagine they whisper to one another.
I’ve done a lot of reading about Tommy’s condition and am relieved to learn he has not taken on another emotion that is sometimes linked to the illness: rage. If anything, he has become kinder (witness the charity), more sentimental (the tears), and softer.
Because he can no longer speak, he doesn't send irritating comments to television commercials, obese strangers, or other innocent targets as I once complained about. I understand now those slurs were the beginning of his brain’s degeneration — inappropriate responses are a classic symptom. I haven’t explored if these barbs are still in his head; I prefer to think he no longer holds them.
Today in the subway, I say to Tommy, "Honey, please show me what you gave the musicians." He opens his wallet and points to a dollar bill. "Good," I say. "Now be sure to tuck your wallet deep in your pocket." He does, then pats it for emphasis.
At the end of the line, when we have descended the stairs, a panhandler is at the stoplight near the expressway. He is holding a sign, "Homeless. Need Food" and is limping toward cars that are stopped and waiting for the light to change.
I turn to look at my husband. I see his hand reach for his pocket. "Tommy," I say. He looks at me, nods his head, and drops his arm at his side. I take his hand in mine as we cross at the Walk sign. My husband glances back and watches the guy continue to hobble dramatically along the cars.
"Fake," I remind Tommy. He nods his head in agreement. When we reach the other side, I look back and send a silent suggestion to the grifter, Should’ve hummed a few bars.
©2013 Elaine Soloway for SeniorWomen.com
Pages: 1 · 2
More Articles
- Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care
- Gender and Labor Markets by Diego Mendez-Carbajo* : "Sure [Fred Astaire] was great, but don't forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did…backwards and in high heels." — Robert Thaves1
- Veterans Health Care: Efforts to Hire Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists
- Adrienne G. Cannon Writes: Those Lonely Days
- Jill Norgren Reviews a New Inspector Gamache Mystery: All the Devils Are Here
- Rose Madeline Mula Writes: Look Who's Talking
- Celebrating 100 Years of Women Voting; Virtual Sessions: United States Capitol Historical Society
- Supreme Court Surprises The Public in LGBTQ Ruling: What is Sex Discrimination?
- Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi And Donald Trump Last Year
- Elaine Soloway's Hometown Rookie: Mirror, Mirror; Jealous; Terms of Endearment