Frerard - Remember Me!

3

Kayleigh spent her first few days in the Way household along side both Lindsey and Gerard. She was 'training' if you like for her new role. She was exceptionally nervous about the whole thing, and constantly questioned Frank about whether this was the right thing to do. She felt an enormous sense of responsibility to be Gerard's carer with no actual experience to speak of.

She was certain that Frank hadn't really grasped just what she was telling him when she had described Gerard's current condition. He was so desperate to get to Gerard again that he wasn't listening to her when she tried to subtly warn him of his friend's current state of mind. Still he didn't take in what she was saying, instead blabbering on about how awesome it would be when he finally got to see him.

In the end she had resorted to shouting at him just to get him to shut up and pay attention.

"FRANK!" she yelled. "Will you please just fucking listen to me. He's not well. He barely registered that I was even stood in front of him. You can't just expect him to suddenly remember everything and you two go waltzing off into the sunset."

"I know that" Frank snapped back, annoyed at being treated like a child.

"No. Frank. I don't think you do" she said a little calmer. "I don't want you building your hopes up that this is going to be something, when it might not. You understand?"

"Yeah" Frank shrugged. "Of course I know that."

Kayleigh sighed a little. She knew he was just saying it to shut her up. He would learn the hard way and she knew that it would break his heart when he came face to face with Gerard. She was trying to warn him to save him from the pain, but she knew he wasn't really comprehending the full extent of Gerard's condition. She just had to let him find out for himself.

In the time she had spent with the Way's, she had managed to follow Lindsey's strict timetable and was beginning to become a little more familiar around their home. She was beginning to get to grips with Gerard's medication and dietary requirements. He was fully capable of bathing and dressing himself as well as generally taking care of his own personal needs, but Lindsey didn't like him to go near the kitchen too much to cook or near the utensils, just in case he caused himself any injuries. She also didn't like him to exert himself or do anything that was too strenuous. He generally took himself off to his little garden retreat to read or paint or simply look out of the window at his surroundings.

There were times when he seemed fairly lucid and was beginning to recognise her, but due to his medication requirements, those times didn't last too long, and he quickly became drowsy once again. They had talked a little and Kayleigh found herself really beginning to warm to him. He was a gentle soul who seemed to have a genuine kindness to him. She could tell that he felt like a burden; often apologising when Kayleigh brought him a coffee or helped him to his feet when he was feeling particularly tired. She assured him that he was no such thing, but she knew he still felt that way.

The day finally arrived when Lindsey was leaving. She was in a foul mood and questioning Kayleigh on everything they had been through. She had felt a little more confident over the course of the last twenty four hours, but Lindsey's doubting of her now had her questioning herself. Still, she could understand Gerard's wife – having been his only carer for the last couple of years. She definitely seemed a bit of a control freak anyway, so this must have felt like a huge deal to her.

"I have your number Mrs Way" Kayleigh was assuring. "I promise I will call if there are any problems at all."

"Ok" she finally said. "Love you honey" she said to Gerard as she kissed the top of his head.

Gerard offered a small smile and nodded his head in her direction.

"What do you say Gerard?" Lindsey questioned.