Rescue Nova

A Secret Adventure

Leila pulled into Mr. McGregor's driveway minutes before her seven thirty shift was about to begin that Friday evening. She took some deep breaths and mentally prepared herself for tonight.

You can do it. You're not going to be assigned to him anymore in the future. This is your last night with him. Just get through it, and you'll be done.

She left her car, walked to the front door, and rung the doorbell. Moments later, Mr. McGregor's aide for that day, Brittany, opened the door. Based solely from Brittany's weary expression, it took all Leila had not to walk away right then.

"I can see I'm in for a rough night," Leila said.

"Yes," was Brittany's simple reply.

The home health agency that employed Leila had a rule that before each aide ended their shift, they had to write a brief report on how the client's day or night with them had been. The aide arriving for the next shift was then required to first read the report left by the last aide. So the first thing Leila did after setting her things down in the living room was go to the counter in the kitchen where Mr. McGregor's reports were kept and read how his day went. Brittany also gave Leila a verbal summary.

"He was okay until a couple of hours ago. Then the belligerent Mr. McGregor we all know and love came out. Only worse than usual. I think he's slipping into senility. He might have that sundowning thing. Luckily for you, he got tired and went to bed about twenty minutes ago. Enjoy the quiet while you have it."

"I'm sure it won't last long."

"Probably not. Okay, I'm off. Good luck."

"Thanks." Leila finished reading the report and set the portfolio back on the counter. She left the kitchen and headed to the master bedroom to check on him, but she stopped halfway.

Maybe I shouldn't. I don't want to wake him up. He knows I'm on tonight. He'll call me if he needs anything. In the meantime, I should let him sleep. This is going to be a long shift, so I'll close my eyes, too, and see if I can get somewhat rested before he wakes up.

Hoping to get at least an hour or two of rest before the circus started, Leila kicked off her shoes, lay on the couch, pulled the throw blanket on herself, and closed her eyes. But not before making sure the ringer on her phone was on so that she'd hear when he called.

•••••••••••••••

Leila had fallen asleep with the expectation of being awoken within an hour or two. So she was stunned to open her eyes to find it was only two hours until dawn.

He slept all night? That's definitely a first.

Since she hadn't seen him when she arrived, Leila knew she should go look in on him, but she decided against it. She didn't want to wake him and get him started. Instead, she set her alarm to wake her at dawn and went back to sleep.

When the alarm went off, the sun was just starting to come up. Feeling great because of the excellent night's rest and the knowledge that her last shift with him was nearly over, Leila got up to complete the last few tasks she had before whoever was assigned to the day shift came at seven thirty. She needed to wake him up, make his breakfast, and write her report while he ate.

After putting her shoes on, laying the throw blanket neatly back on the sofa, and going to the bathroom, Leila went to the master bedroom and knocked softly on the door. "Mr. McGregor, it's morning. Would you like some help getting ready for breakfast?"

There was no response, so she knocked a little louder and repeated her statement. When nothing was heard, she opened the door slightly and poked her head in. He was under the covers in bed in his normal sleeping position - on his back with his hands resting on his stomach.