Wow! eBook
Behind the Fan
Author(s): Caroline Walken (Author)
- Publisher: Elaine Steele
- Publication Date: August 5, 2018
- Language: English
- Print length: 262 pages
- ISBN-10: 0998727652
- ISBN-13: 9780998727653
Book Description
Behind the Fan is Bronze Medalist in the 2018 Wishing Shelf Book Award for Independent Authors “Baby, come to me.”We are together; his voice intoxicates me, it’s as potent as whiskey. I hold on tightly, but he still departs; leaving me behind. I am Dorothy Kennedy-Denham, heir to Kennedy Electronics. I’ve outlived friends, my children and my love, Nicky. This small house evaporates, and I return to where it began. The lure to remain is powerful, but I have unfinished business.My family calls this an absence of presence. Their concern begins the process, and they descend on me, it’s decided I should move into a nursing home. Packing my life into boxes, it’s not long before my home is bare. Forgotten photos open the door to a past they never imagined. I won’t apologize; not about the burlesque club or the mobsters I’ve known and loved. They might think my life is unimaginable; my connection with Nicky is unbelievable. But, in the end, I hope they find it inspirational.
Editorial Reviews
From the Author
Behind the Fan lived in my heart for a very long time, the love story was inspired by a chance meeting when I was in my mid-twenties.I worked as an aide for a short time in a nursing facility; it was there that I met Cookie. She was over ninety years old and the last surviving member of her immediate family. Now although Cookie was very sweet the majority of the time, she had dementia and suffered the emotional upheaval that accompanies this disease. On occasion, she just wasn’t cooperative; wouldn’t get dressed, join the others for meals or take her medication. My fellow aides taught me the key to success with Cookie. Simply tell her that her husband, Buddy was coming to see her.
Like many,I was skeptical at first but, I was willing to try this to avoid Cookie’s wrath! It wasn’t long and found myself facing off with Cookie, her arms crossed and head turned in defiance! I took a deep breath and sweetly ‘reminded’ her we were dressing to have dinner with Buddy. She slowly turned to appraise me as I held my breath. She smiled then pointed to the closet with detailed instructions as to what she would wear. The change in her overall demeanor was mystical, furthermore,regardless of what she wore, she saw her favorite dress. By the facility rules, jewelry was seldom permitted. Still, she would touch her hand to her bare throat, and with my encouragement, she could feel her favorite strand of pearls, a gift from Buddy.I witnessed a miracle as she fell back in time, returning to a period of her life where happiness waited for her.
I expected this to be the only transformation, but I was proven wrong. The remainder of the day Cookie smiled and nodded to someone that only she saw. At times I would pass to find her humming to a forgotten melody.I stood amazed and a little jealous of her bliss. The nurses and doctors would chastise us for allowing Cookie to lapse into these moments. They warned all the aides that we should instead remind her of the present, confirm for her where she was. Why? Why remind her that her family was lost to her, that she was alone now. Why not help her to connect to the days when she and Buddy danced to their favorite band, enjoyed quiet dinners, help her feel the warmth of his hand in hers.
Cookie passed quietly in the night; sadly alone since she had no living relatives. I prefer to believe that Buddy was therewith her. Taking her hand as their favorite song played in the background, he led her away from us. Their love was strong, finding its way across the plane of life or death. Believing this gives me a feeling of peace and hope.
Like many,I was skeptical at first but, I was willing to try this to avoid Cookie’s wrath! It wasn’t long and found myself facing off with Cookie, her arms crossed and head turned in defiance! I took a deep breath and sweetly ‘reminded’ her we were dressing to have dinner with Buddy. She slowly turned to appraise me as I held my breath. She smiled then pointed to the closet with detailed instructions as to what she would wear. The change in her overall demeanor was mystical, furthermore,regardless of what she wore, she saw her favorite dress. By the facility rules, jewelry was seldom permitted. Still, she would touch her hand to her bare throat, and with my encouragement, she could feel her favorite strand of pearls, a gift from Buddy.I witnessed a miracle as she fell back in time, returning to a period of her life where happiness waited for her.
I expected this to be the only transformation, but I was proven wrong. The remainder of the day Cookie smiled and nodded to someone that only she saw. At times I would pass to find her humming to a forgotten melody.I stood amazed and a little jealous of her bliss. The nurses and doctors would chastise us for allowing Cookie to lapse into these moments. They warned all the aides that we should instead remind her of the present, confirm for her where she was. Why? Why remind her that her family was lost to her, that she was alone now. Why not help her to connect to the days when she and Buddy danced to their favorite band, enjoyed quiet dinners, help her feel the warmth of his hand in hers.
Cookie passed quietly in the night; sadly alone since she had no living relatives. I prefer to believe that Buddy was therewith her. Taking her hand as their favorite song played in the background, he led her away from us. Their love was strong, finding its way across the plane of life or death. Believing this gives me a feeling of peace and hope.
