Evie interrupted, p.25
Evie Interrupted, page 25
“When you say ‘working out’ you do mean with equipment, like at the gym, right?”
His sexy smile appeared. “You’ve effectively ruined me for anyone else.”
My head shook back and forth. “This is real, right? You’re here saying these words?”
“I understand why you did what you did. Everyone deserves a second chance and I’d like to give us one,” he said.
My heart burst with gratitude. Extending my hand to Butler, I said, “Hi, my name is Evie Chapman, I’m a caregiver for my mom.”
Leaning in, Butler unapologetically captured my lips with his. As if no time had passed between us, our bodies fell in perfect sync. My fingers found their way behind his neck and up into his soft dark hair.
Breaking the kiss, I pressed my forehead against Butler’s. “I love you completely.”
“I’ll love you forever, Evie.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks. My cute nerd came back to me.
“I’m a blubbering idiot.”
“Don’t talk that way about my woman. You’re a blubbering beauty.”
“Would you like to meet my mom?” I said.
“Absolutely, babe.”
“Before we do that, I’ll take the flowers and put them in a vase,” I said, reaching for the bouquet.
“The flowers aren’t for you, Evie. They’re for your mom. I also brought her this.” He held out the piece of material. “It’s a fidget cloth. It was my grandmother’s. She lived with us and suffered from Alzheimer’s.”
My gaze rose to Butler’s, astonishment washing over my face. He had experienced firsthand what it was like living with dementia. The fidget cloth looked like a small quilt covered in all kinds of fun things to play with, snaps, buttons, a zipper, a string of beads, etc. Everything to help keep twitching and trembling hands occupied.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “Follow me.”
I led Butler around the corner and down the hallway to Mom. Without hesitation, he walked in, positioning himself at the foot of the bed so she’d be able to see him. Maine perked up, shooting protective stares at Butler, but remained silent. Butler looked adorable, standing there holding the gifts he’d brought my mom. I fell harder and deeper in love with him at that moment than ever before.
“Mom, I’d like you to meet Butler, my cute nerd.”
“It’s very nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Chapman,” he said.
Mom’s green gaze crawled up the tall figure standing in front of her. When she reached Butler’s face a huge smile broke out across her lips. My hand flew to my mouth as I gasped.
Blinking back tears, I said, “This is the first time she’s smiled in almost a year.”
“Well, I do have a way with the Chapman women.”
Looking at Butler the warmth of love spread throughout my entire body. “Yes, you do.”
Maine cleared her throat and looked at me. “You’re here.” Her gaze swung to Butler. “You’re here.” Then she eyed Mom. “And Miss Evelyne approves. Does that mean, y’all are back together?”
Glancing at each other, Butler and I grinned from ear to ear.
Feeling the love, Maine raised her wine glass in a toast. “Damn, I love an epic romance and a happily ever after.”
Finally, my real world and my fantasy world had come together to form one amazing life.
The End
Future
“Presenting, in person, that four-foot-eight bundle of dynamite, dainty...Butler!” I announced, slapping my hands on the kitchen countertop, imitating a drumroll.
Strutting into the room dressed in her Anna from Frozen purple cape, was my redheaded, bright green-eyed daughter. She looked at the imaginary audience and gave them a sweet smile and a slight curtsy.
“Maestro, music, please,” she commanded.
I walked over to Mom’s old record player and chose the perfect song. The room filled with the big band version of “I Could Write a Book” sung by Harry Connick, Jr. It was one of my favorite songs and brought back such wonderful memories.
Placing one hand on her hip and the other in midair, Butler posed as I sashayed over to her. Taking her hands in mine, we twirled and laughed, gracefully gliding across the floor in our socked feet.
As the music revved up, Butler and I let go of each other’s hands and went freestyle, shaking our butts and waving our arms.
“You always make rainy days the best,” she said, shimmying.
“Thanks, so do you.”
“Mom, do you know what I want to be when I grow up?”
“No. What do you want to be?” I said.
“You!”
A big smile appeared across my face. “I’m very impressed that at five years old you already know what you want to be, and I’m very flattered.”
“What’s flattered?” she yelled over the music.
I twisted at the waist. “It means I’m happy that you would want to be like me, but you know, you’ll also be your own special person, unlike any other person in the world.”
“Hey, Mom, what did one tomato say to the other tomato?”
“I don’t know.”
“You go ahead and I’ll ketchup. Get it? Maine told it to me.”
Smiling, I said, “I love you, Butler.”
She swung her arms back and forth. “I love you too, Mom.”
We danced until we were exhausted. I checked the time on my phone, realizing my wonderful husband would be home soon to pick up his girls for our weekly dinner date. But dancing works up an appetite, and he wasn’t here yet, so I broke out the cookies and lemonade. Watching my daughter eat with gusto, I thought about how perfect my life had turned out.
Once Butler and I got back together, we didn’t wait long to make us official. On the night he proposed, Butler arranged to have his parents in town and had them sit with Mom while we went out to dinner. After dinner, he told me he’d been raving about Dough-Mates to his parents, and we needed to stop and pick up a box of doughnuts for them.
We walked into an empty café dimly lit with strings of white fairy lights. Butler escorted me over to the sofa where we’d had our first encounter. Tingles, followed by goosebumps, covered my skin at the sight of the sofa, the bottle of champagne with two glasses, and my cute nerd down on one knee. When Butler said, “Will you marry me?” I knew there was only one answer.
Our wedding was small and meaningful. The guest list included Maine, Butler’s parents, his friend Mooch, Mom, and my dad.
If it weren’t for Butler showing me the grace of forgiveness, I would have lost him forever. Dad had been a good father up until he left. That one moment, without a doubt, was devastating, but should it overshadow all the other good moments he’d given our family? It took a lot of time to flex my empathy muscles, but they were loosening up. I didn’t like what Dad did, but I tried to understand his position and give him a second chance.
The ceremony and reception were held at my childhood home. Maine and Butler’s mom, Tammy, pulled double duty as my wedding planners and caterers. They had the place looking amazing, decorated with draping white fabric, lights, and flowers. The food tasted delicious and looked beautiful on Mom’s wedding china. Between the special people in attendance, the beautiful surroundings, and the love of my life, it was the perfect wedding.
Because it had always been Mom’s wish to remain in her home even as she got older, Butler moved in with us. He was beyond wonderful with my mom. He never failed to put a smile on her face just by walking into her room. There were times, early in the morning, when I woke up to an empty bed and I’d walk down the hallway to find Mom wide awake and Butler keeping her company, chatting about anything and everything.
Liza continued to come on Saturdays to watch Mom, giving Butler and me some much needed alone time. The first few months of my pregnancy were rough, so Liza ended up coming a few extra days during the week to take care of me as well.
Butler Evelyne Thompson was born on March 25, weighing in at 7 lbs., 5 oz. From the very beginning, she was independent, smart, and had her daddy wrapped around her little finger. She was the only other person able to elicit a smile out of Mom, too. Even though Mom and her granddaughter weren’t able to communicate through words, every time they were together something special passed between them.
Three months after Butler was born, as the sun was setting, Mom passed away peacefully surrounded by me, Butler, her granddaughter, and Linus. One month later, after years of unconditional love and tail wags, we said farewell to Linus. It was as if both of them had waited, making sure I had plenty of love in my life before saying goodbye.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Mom, especially when I look at my daughter. Maybe it’s a turn of her head, maybe a certain look in her eye that reveals the essence of my mom. It gives me comfort knowing she’s still a part of my life. The love she gave me, the lessons she taught me, and the memories she made for me were priceless.
Her disease had stolen from us years of advice and lessons Mom still needed to teach me. But in hindsight, I realized she never stopped guiding me through life. I learned to be more patient, understanding, sympathetic, and empathetic. She showed me how to love unconditionally and care limitlessly. Each day, she demonstrated what was truly important in this world: our connection to others. Even as we got closer to the end, when she was bedridden and unable to feed herself, she showed me all I needed to know to be a new mom. She always has been and always will be my heroine, my mentor, and the person I want to be when I grow up.
“Daddy’s home!” Butler shouted, jumping out of her chair and running to the front door.
I quickly hid the evidence, putting the cookies back in the cabinet as both my Butlers rounded the corner.
“And after we danced, we ate all the cookies,” little Butler explained, riding into the room in her dad’s arms.
With his brows furrowed, Butler gave serious attention to his namesake. “All of them?”
“Yes, all of them.”
“If you ate all the cookies you probably don’t have room for pizza.”
Little Butler rolled her bright eyes. “Daddy, there’s always room for pizza.”
My husband walked over to me and planted a soft kiss on my lips. “Mmmm…chocolate,” he said.
I beamed up at my family. “You know what they say, life is short, eat dessert first.”
“Ewwww.” Little Butler’s face squished together in disgust.
Setting her down on the ground, Butler said, “Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it.” He paused and furrowed his brows again. “Wait a second, that didn’t sound right. Don’t ever try it. Kissing is horrible. You’re never allowed to kiss anyone. Ever. Except me and your mom.”
“Let’s move on from this subject, shall we?” Ushering our daughter toward her room, I said, “Go take off your cape and grab your jacket.”
Loud rapid footsteps filled the air as she ran down the hallway. Turning back toward my fella, I caught him with a cookie in his mouth.
“Can you pick Butler up from soccer practice tomorrow? I have a late class to teach.”
He swallowed the last of his cookie. “Sure, no problem. Babe, I came up with another name for the boy.”
Butler Thompson was perfect in every way except one. He was terrible at picking names. Resting my hand on my ever-growing stomach, I braced myself for his latest pitch.
“Doom.” He smiled.
“Doom? Are you serious?”
“Yeah, just listen.” Cupping his hands over his mouth, he hollered, “Taking the field now is the number one quarterback in the country, Do-o-o-o-om Tho-o-o-ompson!”
“It’s a good thing you’re so pretty. But there is no way I’m naming my son Doom.”
Grinning, he sauntered toward me. “We’ll see. I can be very persuasive.”
“You’ll never convince me, Butler. Not even if you do that thing with your tongue—”
“Let’s eat pizza!” our daughter yelled, marching toward us.
Doom Dugan Thompson was born November 12, weighing in at 8 lbs. 7 oz.
Dementia is a horrible disease, no matter how it enters your life. Whether it comes via Alzheimer’s, FTD, or some other method, it’s profoundly sad, lonely, and devastating. Caregivers struggle with time, decisions, and their own mental health. Although it’s not a glamorous job, to care for another person is a great honor. Self-care is also an important part of being a caregiver. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. We are only human. There are several in person or online groups to help.
Several people took care of me, allowing me the time to write and publish Evie Interrupted.
Thank you, Kelley F., Kim B., Concepcion, Tabitha, Nina, Kelley B., Kim C., and all the caregivers who have taken such wonderful care of my mom.
It’s been well over a year since I published. I had to put writing aside for a while. When I began writing this book, I had a lot of doubts about whether or not I could do it. You know what they say, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Thank you to my readers and my author friends who have supported me and cheered me on during this time. You brightened my days and gave me the courage I needed to continue.
Finally, to my mom, the inspiration for Evie Interrupted. You may not be able to speak now and I’m not sure how much you understand when I talk to you. But I do hope deep down you feel how much I love and admire you. Momma, from day one you’ve taught me how to be a strong woman, a woman with compassion, a woman with empathy, and a woman with a sharp sense of humor. You’ve held my hand through some of the most difficult times in my life, showing grace and strength. You are my best friend and my superheroine.
Alison G. Bailey is an award winning, Amazon and International bestselling author living in Charleston, South Carolina. At an early age she fell in love with writing, reworking scenes from her favorite TV shows and movies with new dialogue. Alison wrote and produced several stage plays before turning her sights on the book world.
Under the influence of a copious amount of Diet Pepsi and nonstop listening to her Spotify playlists, Alison writes unique emotional stories full of love, laughter, and romance.
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PUBLICATION HISTORY
Present Perfect, August 2013
Past Imperfect, February 2014
Presently Perfect, December 2014
Stop!, June 2015
The Dance, May 2016
CRAZY SEXY LOVE, July 2018
Lipsmacker, November 2019
AWARDS AND ACHIEVMENTS
Book of the Year, Indie Romance Convention, Present Perfect
Amazon Bestseller, Kindle Store 2013, Present Perfect
Italian Bestseller, #8 General list, #2 Foreign Fiction, #2 Amazon Italy 2016, Present Perfect
Amazon Top 20, Past Imperfect, Category Romance/Coming of Age 2014
Amazon Top 20, Presently Perfect, Category Romance/Coming of Age 2014
Amazon Top 10, Stop! Category Teen/Young Adult 2015
Amazon Top 20, The Dance, Category Contemporary Romance
FOREIGN PUBLICATIONS
Turkey, Present Perfect
Italy, Present Perfect
Spain/Latin America, Present Perfect
Poland, Present Perfect
Alison G. Bailey, Evie Interrupted
