To Be Like Father

Unraveled

**•**Nick's POV**•**

"Hey Grandpa!" I said into the phone.

"Hey!" I heard Grandpa David's voice on the other end.

"Cooper?" I heard Grandma Deb join the conversation.

I frowned. "No, this is Nick. He's in LA."

"Oh, where's Blaine? He hasn't called in a week. Do you know him?" Grandma asked.

I put my head against my palm. "Of course! I'm his son! Are you joking?"

"Umm... Nick." Grandpa said. "Did your father tell you about Grandma?" Then in the background I heard him say, "Deb, honey why don't you go check the mail real quick. Blaine told us a week ago that he sent us a card. It should be in the mailbox." after a moments pause he told me, "You're aware that Grandma forgets some things, right?"

"Yeah." I said. "I figured it was just typical old people forgetfulness. Why?"

I heard coughing and then, "Well your grandma and I went into the doctor to have her tested. The results came back a week ago and she has dementia."

I caught my breath and turned to look at Father. He gave me an apologetic look as he pulled into our driveway. "How bad is it going to get?" I asked Grandpa.

"I don't know, Nick. The doctors said it will only get worse as she continues to age. Right now she's reaching a confused stage where she might think someone is someone else like when she thought you were your Uncle Cooper. But please don't worry about her or me. We'll be fine, okay?"

"Okay." I whispered.

"Are you home yet?"

"Yeah."

"Can we talk to your father?"

"Sure." I said. "Here he is. I love you, Grandpa!"

"I love you too."

I handed Father the phone and got into the house before him. I found Dad in his office room on the laptop. His gel had worn out of his hair making it go in random directions. He had taken out his contacts and now wore his dark framed glasses. He had his chin in his hands and stared blankly at the screen.

"Hey, Dad." I said in the doorway.

Dad rubbed his eyes and looked up. "Hi, Nick. How was glee?"

I shrugged and set my guitar down just outside the doorway. "Okay. There's only five of us. Three girls and one other boy besides me."

"That's what your Father said. It will get bigger, trust me." he said as he turned away from the computer and let out an exhausted sigh.

"How was your evening?" I asked him.

Dad laughed and tried to pat down some stray hairs, but to no avail. "Stressful. Angie, my secretary was just hired and now she's on maternity leave. I shouldn't've hired her quite yet, knowing that she was pregnant. So..." he stopped to yawn. "I've had to search for a temporary secretary which means setting up more interviews and taking extra time out of my day to read letters. On top of that I'm also advertising and finding modeling companies who will help me sell my fashion line. Then there's the business finances and-" he stopped himself. "You don't need to hear any of that stuff. Long story short, it's been a lengthy day and I'm ready to go to bed early."

I nodded. "Yeah, sounds like you're about shot."

"Where's your father?" Dad asked as he shut the laptop and got up from his black swivel chair.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Talking with Grandma and Grandpa Anderson. You have some explaining to do."

Dad frowned and then slowly his eyes grew wide as he caught on to what I was saying. "Oh no... Did Father tell you about Grandma?"

"Mmm...hmm..." I hummed. "Yeeah... but it wasn't Father who told me. I had to figure it out myself when he gave me the phone to talk to them on the way home because he was driving." I pointed at myself. "I answered and Grandma thought I was Cooper and then asked if I knew Blaine, after I said what my name was! I though she was joking! I don't even sound like Cooper at all!!! But no. Grandpa had to get her out of the room just so he could tell me the news that she... she has freaking dementia!!!" I stepped back and felt for the doorframe. I leaned back on the narrow wood and stared at the teal ceiling, vigorously blinking away tears.

I loved Grandma Deb so much. She was funny and probably one of the most selfless people I have ever known. I really looked up to her. Now what? In a few years would I even recognize her as the same person who taught me to ride my bike without training wheels. The same person who was there when I made the realization that the Tooth Fairy was actually Dad. The one who took me to my first rock concert and taught me how to make the best Oreo bonbons you'll every taste. Now those special moments were unraveling and unraveling in her mind until it all became one jumbled tangle of thread. It was now my responsibility to keep those memories remembered forever, even without her.

I felt a gentle hand brush a single year from my cheek. I looked away from the ceiling and tried to smile when I saw Dad standing there looking at me with concern. "It's not fair. It's not fair. I didn't know this was happening." I sniffed.

Dad nodded with understanding. "Its going to be alright, Nick. Father and I should have told you sooner. We know how much Grandma means to you."

I nodded and turned away. "I'm going to my room. Goodnight."

Dad looked a little crestfallen. "Oh, okay. Well I'm going to bed as soon as I see your Father so I'll see you in the morning." he stood in the doorway as I walked off to my room, dragging my gig bag behind me.

In my room I fell onto my bed and ripped off my shirt. I sighed as the air conditioning blasted my bare skin, sending chills down my spine. "How could Father do this to me?" I asked myself out loud. "How? Why? I'm just trying to get used to a new way of life here and now I have this too? Of all people its Grandma Deb. Thank God Grandma Carol is mentally healthy, at least right now." I turned so that my stomach made contact with my Batman blanket. My nose ground into the mattress. "Dang it!" I cursed into the bedding, my voice muffled by the sheets. "This is going to be one heck of a song when I'm done." I rolled back the other way and slowly brought myself to a sitting position. I walked to my backpack and pulled out my phone. I texted my sister: Do u know about G-ma?

She replied: Do u?

Me: Just found out. I assume u know then?

Leia: Yes Dad & Father FaceTimed last week.

Me: Great. I'm the last 2 know.

Leia: I'm kinda on a date right now. Can we video call tomorrow?

Me: No. I'm helping Dad sort application letters. Sat.?

Leia: Kk bye

Me: Bye

After our conversation was finished I hastily worked on mastering the Pythagorean Theorem before crashing on the bed, still in my jeans and shoes.