For a moment, Sophie simply stared.
Then she laughed through her tears.
“You enormous romantic idiot!”
She threw her arms around him.
And for the first time since I’d discovered his diagnosis, our kitchen was filled with laughter.
—
The following weeks were both beautiful and difficult.
We visited Mark’s neurologist together.
Dr. Patel explained the condition and the care plan.
She discussed medication, routines, memory supports, and ways to make our home safer.
We began labeling things.
Putting reminders on a whiteboard.
Keeping a clear calendar.
And making sure important contact information was always accessible.
After the incident on Route 9, Dr. Patel told Mark he could no longer drive.
That was devastating for him.
He’d been driving since he was fifteen.
His grandfather had taught him on dirt roads near Loon Lake.
On the way home, Mark stared silently at his truck parked beside the garage.
That night, he placed the keys in my hand.
