He was sitting on deck staring out into the sea. I sit down with a cup a tea and interlock our hands. “I don’t believe in much but I believe in you.” I said as I rub my thumb over his hand. The years had deepened the wrinkles on his face and turned his hair white but he’s still there. “You are pretending that we are the same, that I’m the same.” I just squeeze his hand tighter. “You are the same stubborn fool you’ve always been”. I walk over to his chair and rest on my knees between his thighs. I nuzzle you thigh with my face and look up at him. He stares at me in disbelief. “If you really love me . let me go. I hate seeing the pain in your eyes”.

I can feel the sting in my eyes as they fill with tear. “40 years I’ve been more stubborn than you and until the good Lord takes us home I will be” he looked pain and started to get up but I pushed his hips back down. “I’m going to forget you and I’m going to fade away, all those years Evie are going to be gone.” I kiss up his thighs like I have done for years. “Then love me today. Remember today.” I unzip his pants and tease the tip with my tongue. “Evie please …” I shh him and move on to his lap. I slip him inside me and just rock slowly. My bones creak and my skin sag but we are us. We hiss and moan as the orgasm builds. I grab his face and lifts his jaw so his eyes meet mine. “I will love you when you forget my face and I will love you when forget my name. When you look at me like I’m a stranger, I will take care of you regardless. I’m yours and you are mine”. His body softened and you could see he finally believed it. he pulled me close and burried his head in my neck. I felt the tears roll down my neck as he said “fucking Alzheimer’s, Evie”. I pet his hair and encourage him to let it out. “I know Teddy”.

The tears stopped but he just kept holding me thight. The sex long forgotten and the only sound the roar of the seas for what felt like hours. “Will you always believe in me?” To many it may seem like a grammar mistake but that first time he said he loved me. I froze that night and told him that I loved him too but I didn’t believe in forever. He just chuckled and smiled hon all you have to do is believe in me. Back in the present , tears streamed down my face. “Teddy, always. You gave me forever.” ———————————————————————