Rebecca woke up, and saw Theodore entering the room. Concerned by his haggard appearance, she immediately asked, "Theo, what's wrong? Are you sick?" The pain in Theodore's chest lingered, but he forced a smile. "Grandma, I've just been really tired these past few days and haven't slept well. But I'm fine. Don't worry." Rebecca shook her head. "I've been too strict with you. You've worked so hard, and I shouldn't have scolded you like that. You're a good boy."

Her demeanor softened, perhaps due to her awareness of her own condition.

"Grandma, it's alright. You being strict was good for me; otherwise, I might have become a spoiled brat."

"That's not true," Rebecca said. "Theo, you're a good boy. Even if I hadn't been tough on you, you wouldn't have turned out that way. You've always been ambitious and mature for your age. I know it's because you didn't have the love of both parents, and that must have hurt you."

As Rebecca spoke, her emotions began to overwhelm her.

"Theo, if there comes a day when I forget you, please don't hold it against me. I want to apologize now," Rebecca said, her voice trembling.

She feared that if her dementia worsened, she might forget everything. She would forget about the wrongs she had done and how poorly she had treated Theodore; then she wouldn't even know to say she was sorry. She was worried she would resort back to her old self and lose the chance to apologize.

"Grandma," Theodore said, his heart aching, "you don't need to apologize. I've never blamed you. It's my fault. I should have visited you more often."

If he had noticed her condition sooner, perhaps he could have helped.

Rebecca continued, "I just worry that I might slip back into my old self, so..."

She

change, Theodore quickly asked, "What's wrong, Grandma?

you grow up so much in just a

looked like Theodore, but she wasn't

a clear sign

lately," he replied, trying

eyes lit up. "Where's Rose? Why haven't I seen

"Grandma, Rose

school. What day is it today? When does she get out?" Theodore swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. "She

is it

he said,

That's still early. Rose studies so hard. I see her up until 10:00 PM doing homework. I just don't understand why they assign so much. We need to make sure she doesn't strain her eyes. Theo, why don't you help her out a bit?

the weight of sadness. "I will help her. I'll make sure to tutor her when

that's the right attitude," Rebecca said,

looking tense, Rebecca shook her head in resignation. "You two-have you not made

opened his mouth,

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