Dr. Belliveau's Dream Job - Chapter 14

Dr. Belliveau's dementia is fully revealled, nearly costing them a valuable client.

Why aren’t you ready? Stacey asked Benny. Then she saw a pair of legs from the kitchen, one wrapped across the other. Stacey pointed and gave Benny the Who the hell is that? expression.

Ready for what? Benny asked. Then the strange man in the kitchen leaned forward enough past the wall for Stacey to see his face. He looked a lot like Benny, only much thinner.

Hello, said the stranger. You must be Stacey,” he smiled.

Stacey looked to Benny.

This is my brother, he said by way of introduction. Jim. Jimbicle in full.

Again, Stacey made a face. This one was more of an are you fucking kidding me? look.

She shook her head. We have a client coming soon! She glanced at her Apple watch. Wallace will be here in exactly two minutes. And you know he’s never late. She looked around. The place was a mess.

Why are your socks in a pile? she asked incredulously. And that? she pointed. What the fuck is that?

It’s old toothpaste tubes, his brother replied matter-of-factly. Stacey didn’t have time for answers. Instead, she pushed through her disgust and scooped as much as she could from the floor, piling it into the boot closet and closing the door against the mess.

That’s when she realized Benny was still in his pajama bottoms. At least he got the shirt and tie right, Stacey thought. She pointed to his legs. Finish getting dressed.

Benny stood where he was, eyes slightly vacant.

NOW? Stacey shouted loud enough to cause Benny’s brother to clatter his mug down. He stood and walked over to Benny, took his arm, and led him into the bedroom.

The knock at the door told Stacey their client had arrived. She took a deep breath and opened the door. Wallace looked nice for a change. He wasn’t in gym shorts this time. Instead, he wore a thick barn jacket with huge black buttons and what appeared to be a new pair of dark wash jeans.

Stacey opened the door wider and invited him inside.

My assistant will join us shortly, she said. Somehow, she’d managed to adopt a semi-professional tone, knowing Benny was in his bedroom changing into pants with his brother’s help.

Stacey dug into her canvas knapsack and pulled out five votive candles with matching glass holders and a pack of matches. She’d always preferred the sulphuric smell of a freshly lit match over the click of a butane torch.

As Wallace took his seat in the big leather chair, Stacey lowered the blinds against the morning sunshine and hastily lit each candle, placing them strategically around the apartment for ambiance.

Had she known the chaos and confusion this would cause with Benny, she wouldn’t have bothered.

She sat down across from Wally and thanked him for coming. We’re getting deep into your coaching sessions now, she said. Wallace nodded.

Is any of what we’ve done so far resonating with you? she asked.

Wallace considered the question. His brows knitted together briefly. He pursed and then unpursed his lips.

Not really, he finally said.

Stacey nodded and clapped her hands together as if she knew what his answer would be and was ready for the challenge.

I think you’re about to have a huge breakthrough, she announced. What if I told you that your spirit animal came to me in a dream last night? she asked.

Okay. I guess. But why wouldn’t my own spirit animal come to me in my drea…”

Stacey abruptly cut him off.

But he didn’t, he came to me in my dreams, OKAY? Her voice got a little more shrill than she’d anticipated.

The important thing isn’t who your spirit animal decided to visit. What’s important is the message.

Wallace waited.

Just then, Benny and his brother emerged from the bedroom. Stacey groaned inwardly. Benny had, in fact, changed his pants. But now his dress shirt and tie were gone, and in their place was his pajama top.

Jim gave her a helpless shrug as Benny took his spot on the couch.

Wallace offered a curious stare but didn’t mention the pajama top. Listen, Stacey said, again a little too loudly. All she wanted to do was divert Wallace’s attention, and it worked.

The spirit animal…

The bear? Wallace clarified.

Yes, the bear. He came to me in a dream last night in a way that gave me absolute clarity on your path forward. She tried to force a little brightness in her voice, a little hope.

Suddenly, only now just noticing the candles, Benny shouted WE’RE ON FIRE! WE’RE ON FIRE! WE’RE ON FIRE!

Dear reader:

If you’re enjoying this book (even just a little bit), why not get a free subscription? I’d appreciate the hell out of it if you do! Thanks in advance.

Stacey jumped to her feet and began blowing out the candles, one by one. His brother tried to calm him down, telling him they were perfectly safe.

They’re just candles, he told Benny. But Benny wasn’t having it. Instead, he began to peel off his clothing, piece by piece, starting with his dress pants and underpants.

BENNY! Stacey shouted. PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON, WE’RE FINE!

Once the candles were out, Stacey raced to the blinds, opening them wide to allow as much sunlight in as possible.

At this point, Benny had his shirt off and was completely naked, running around the room looking for something.

Wallace was already pulling his barn jacket back on. His hands were on the doorknob before Stacey noticed he was leaving. Wait! she shouted. Don’t leave! It’s just the power of the spirit bear, she improvised. It’s too much for some people to handle!

She side-eyed Benny like a Corgi who's just been asked to go for a walk.

Let’s not count this as a session, okay? Wallace asked as he fled the scene.

Stacey let him go, defeated. She collapsed in the chair, averting her eyes from naked Benny. Help. Him. Get. Dressed. Stacey said through gritted teeth. She banged her small but tight fist into the cushioned armrest.

FUUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKKK, she screamed. Reluctant tears spilled onto her cheeks and across her lips. The taste of salt in her mouth made her even angrier.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? She screamed at Jim. Jim, who had pushed Benny into his bedroom and closed the door, now stood in front of her.

Benny is sick, he said.

What do you mean, sick?

It’s dementia. I don’t know what type or what stage. Our father had it. It’s dementia.

Like Alzheimer’s? Stacey replied.

Jim shrugged. Who knows. It’s dementia, though. He’s got all the signs. Probably middle to late stage at this point.

Stacey took in the information, unsure what to feel or what to do. She knew she couldn’t work with Benny if he were demented. He’d never be the secretary he’d wanted to be, that was for sure.

She looked out the window, but Wallace was long gone. He’d quickly disappeared in the busy city street. Stacey wondered if he’d come back. She worried he might ask for his money back. She didn’t have it to give.

I’ve got to get outta here, Stacey said. She felt light-headed and a little nauseated. This was a lot to take in. She pulled her jacket on and zipped it up to her chin.

Hey, not ready to subscribe? That’s okay, why not just share it instead?

Are you sure it’s dementia? She asked.

Jim nodded.

Stacey walked the five blocks back home in a daze. A lot of thoughts filled her head. Could she go back to work at the hospital? Unlikely. What would happen to Benny, and why did she care?

Once home, she immediately filled her tub with hot, sudsy water and peeled off her clothes. Her skin was pink from the cold. She settled into the tub, steam filling the room.

It was only after her mind and body had finally relaxed that she came up with a solution.

Stay tuned for Chapter 15! And thanks for reading. :)