“Ready to give it the old college try?”  I said again, milking the moment for all it was worth.

We managed to get the PJs on, and the Ambien must have kicked in.  In no time, she was sleeping peacefully.

I went back and sat with Walter, “I’m impressed,” I told him.  “You guys are amazing.”

He obviously didn’t want to talk about it.  “You do what you have to do,” he said finally.  “Just don’t forget the Equal.”

The next morning I accompanied them to the adjacent building for breakfast.  The servers apparently had experience with Evelyn–a big bowl of Equal packets was waiting for her at her table.  She was quick to make good use of it, sprinkling some on her eggs, bacon and toast, as well as in her coffee.

“She likes a sandwich for lunch,” Walter shared while we were eating.  “Turkey, cheese, white bread, mayonnaise, no mustard.  She’ll add the Equal.”

After breakfast I offered to help Walter pack a bag for his trip.  He reluctantly accepted my assistance.  His friend soon arrived, and I walked with them to the car.  I helped Walter get in, then leaned down and gave him a brief hug.

“Goodbye, Dad,” I said.  “Have a great time and don’t worry about a thing.  Mom and I will be fine.”  I watched them drive away.

As I headed back into the house, I began pondering how I could best persuade this unfamiliar and child-like being to cooperate with me in caring for her over the next few days.  One thing I knew for sure–I would give it the old college try, just as my mother had always taught me.

© Copyright 2016 Ginny Brinkley

And, don’t miss Ginny Brinkley’s Earth Quest…Imagine what life would be like if our beloved planet were to become uninhabitable, either because of our own failings or from forces beyond our control. Would we have sufficient technology to be able to travel the unfathomable distances in space for years, perhaps thousands of years, in search of a new homeland?