part0015

Marsha got Silvia’s agreement on removing the second bed from her room. She and Rick bought a small love seat, chairs, coffee table, and a TV stand along with a thirty-two-inch flat-screen television. Rick had wanted a fifty-inch but was talked out of it. All but the TV was obtained from the Salvation Army Mission.

A few dollars on the side got the furniture delivered to their room. Another extra payment to maintenance had cable run into the room. Silvia had a long conversation with the new Head Nurse, so she was on board. The Head Nurse was not sure what was going on. Silvia may have left the impression that they were in the Witness Protection Program.

On Tuesday, August 22, 2021, Rick and Marsha were watching the nightly news on WBAL. Rick’s favorite newscaster came on with the news before the show started.

“This is Abi Jackson with an amazingly wonderful story. There has been a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s. Benton Pharmaceuticals has announced that its newest drug has passed Phase 2 testing and has been fast-tracked for approval by the FDA.

This wonder drug apparently not only prevents clumps of protein forming in healthy people but dissolves them where they are already formed. This has the potential of ‘returning’ many people who have Alzheimer’s from their dementia.

Our understanding is that this drug will have to be taken on a continuing basis by the ‘returnees’ and is probably why Benton’s stock has shot up almost one hundred percent on after-hours trading. The SEC is already talking about halting trading to keep an orderly market. The next story is just as amazing.”

Monks Pharmaceuticals has announced they have been fast-tracked by the FDA on a vaccine for HIV. This is a preventative vaccine and not a cure for those in advanced stages though it should lessen the severity of even that. When asked for their reaction the head of the Baltimore Gay and Lesbian Alliance responded, “Party Time.”

Marsha yelled, “Rick that is it, we are now returnees! We were in an Alzheimer’s study. Actually, it may have been very similar. The only difference it has been six years since we had our last doses. All we have to do is imply that we were in the study, and that will explain our lack of dementia.”

“What about the HIV issue,” Rick asked?

“What about it, let them think we have AIDS and are on the medications. All we have to do is prove we are competent, and they will have to release our funds from the court-ordered trust.”

Rick said, “I’m not certain that it will be that easy. We will have to be examined by a Doctor, the evidence submitted before the court. The judge will either decide we are competent or order further testing. I will do some Internet investigation to see what the procedure is in Maryland.”

During this conversation, Marsha was almost bouncing around in joy.

This gave Rick pause, “Marsha I think we should keep looking old by walk, makeup, and clothes. If I did not know better I would think you are in your mid-seventies. Especially since your teeth have come back in. I wish mine would hurry up and breakthrough. They are driving me nuts.”

After work the next morning Rick went up on the Internet and confirmed his line of thinking. They would be tested for; thought, awareness, perceptions, judgment, mood, and memory. Rick thought with a chuckle, “I hope my political leanings do not count against me.”

There was one interesting clause if their incompetence had been temporary, caused by a stroke or something of that nature, after one year they could present evidence to the court and be declared competent. That might be an easier route if they could take it.

The next question was where to start. His initial thought was to hire a lawyer, but that could get expensive real quick. Then there was the matter of trust. Even though they would have a lawyer client-relationship this would be a very delicate dance. The last thing he and Marsha wanted was to be put into endless studies to explain their condition.

After thinking for a while he realized they had very few people that they really trusted. It was a shortlist, Silvia and Charles. Even though Silvia and Charles did not know the whole story they knew enough that it would not be difficult to explain what they were trying to accomplish. That evening he and Marsha discussed the situation and decided she would talk to Silvia and him with Charles .

Rick donned his latest set of rags and went down to the Mission. There he found Charles and went through the high five rituals. Once they had walked aside Charles started first, “Man I am glad you are here tonight. In two weeks, I start my new duty and will be off the street. I will be working at a desk. My wife will love it, and I will have more time for my kids.”

“Charles, I never knew you were married much less have kids,” Rick stated.

“A six-year-old boy, Charles Junior, and a four-year-old girl, Condoleezza, we call them Junior and Condi. I wish I had some pictures to show, but I don’t dare while undercover.”

“That’s okay, maybe one day you will be driving by my corner, and we can catch up.”

“That would be good, Rick. You and Marsha are certainly different than anyone else I have met down here. Tell me what is up with you and Marsha, you’re getting together?”

This gave Rick the perfect opportunity to explain that both he and Marsha had both been declared incompetent and needed to find a way to get that reversed, but only wanted to work with a lawyer who they could trust.

Charles broke out into his big smile and said with a laugh, “I have just the lawyer for you. My baby sister would be glad about your case. She was in a large law firm but has recently gone out on her own. She is the best of all worlds for you. She is experienced but hungry.”

“That sounds good, when could Marsha, and I meet with her,” Rick asked?

“Let me make a quick call,” said Charles.

He said, “Phone call Clarisse. He waited for what were probably two rings and said, “Hi Sis this is Charles. I may have some business for you. Two friends of mine need a competency hearing. No the other way, declared competent. Yeah I know that is backward, but that is what it is. When can you get together with them?”

He looked at Rick, who mouthed, “tomorrow at two.”

Charles repeated this to Clarisse, who was fine with the appointment.

Charles handed one of Clarisse Bowden’s business cards to him while saying, “Can’t carry my kid’s pictures but a lawyer’s card is okay, what a world.”

Rick thanked Charles and went back to the rest home. He updated Marsha on their appointment. She told him that Silvia had been out on a sick day, so she had not talked to her.

Rick told her, “That may be for the best, let’s see what the lawyer has to say before we bring her into it. ”

The next-day Rick and Marsha took a taxi to their appointment. They had dressed up with Rick in a suit and tie while Marsha wore a woman’s business suit with a conservative blouse. Both of them had taken efforts to make themselves, look as old as they could, but it was getting harder all the time. Rick shuffled along using his cane while Marsha walked as stooped as she could. They still looked in pretty good condition for their ages.

Clarisse looked nothing like her brother Charles; she was petit with a light complexion compared to the large framed and dark-skinned Charles. Rick and Marsha made no comment as the introductions were made.

Clarisse smiled and said, “Charles is my half -brother if you have not figured that out.”

“I hadn’t got that far but there is a difference. I bet you are glad he is the big one,” Rick said, in his normal not quite politically-correct manner.

Clarisse laughed and replied, “You got that right. Now, what is this about you wanting to be declared competent?”

At this point, Marsha took over and gave a brief explanation that they were probably the first returnees from Alzheimer’s. They had been declared incompetent but now their minds were clear they wanted to regain control over their estates .

Clarisse said, “Well from the way you present yourselves, I think you could win your case. Are you in a position to give me a retainer?”

“How much would you need?”

“Can you do five hundred dollars?”

“I thought lawyers worked with a one-dollar retainer?”

“In your dreams, sure if it is a small matter for friend or family you might, but this is my protection that you will pay your bills. Think of it as a security deposit on a rental.”

Rick glanced at Marsha then said, “We can do five hundred. Is a personal check okay?”

“Certainly,” Clarisse replied.

While Rick wrote out the check, Clarisse asked, “How long have you two been married?”

Marsha quickly replied, “We aren’t, yet.”

Rick about fell off his chair, this was news to him!”

Clarisse replied, “Oh, sorry about that, it’s just that you two seem so comfortable with each other like you have been married forever.”

Rick replied, “We are a team because we have the same problem. Though I think the definition of a team is undergoing a change.” With a quick grin at Marsha, he said, “It might be a very good chance.”

Both Marsha and Clarisse got large smiles; women and thoughts of weddings were almost always pleasant thoughts.

Rick was more serious in his thinking, “Well boy you should have seen this coming. Why fight it, she is a good-looking woman, we know we are a team. We are at the same place in life, and most importantly I love her. It is not a youngster’s infatuation but a mature comfort with her that makes me want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

These thoughts went through his mind quickly as he said, “We need to have a serious talk, Marsha.”

Both of the women’s eyes light up at these words.

He continued, “My eyes and hearing aren’t as good as they used to be, I think we really should have got that fifty-inch screen.”

If looks could kill he would have been a puddle on the floor from the sets of laser beams directed at him.

Clarisse said, “Marsha your case should be easy. I’m not certain about him.”

“I can understand that,” said Marsha glaring at Rick .

Clarisse wisely changed the subject; she didn’t want to lose her clients. Let me do some research and get back to you.

Rick and Marsha both gave their prepaid cell phone numbers. They purchased them at Wal-Mart the previous month. They had joined the twenty-first century. Rick only used his for phone calls; Marsha did text messages, took pictures, and even twitted whatever that was.

They thanked Clarisse for her time; she called a taxi for them.

Instead of giving the rest home address, Rick said, “White Marsh Mall.”

Marsha looked at him as if to ask what was going on.

Rick answered the unspoken question by saying, “Marsha Wren, I am too old to get down on my knee, but will you marry me?”

She was in shock. She had been angry with the way he had changed the subject in the law office, but she also regretted saying what she had. She felt she had pushed too hard.

“Yes Richard King I will be glad to take your hand in marriage, and yes, you would look silly trying to get on one knee on the sidewalk.”

The next part Rick knew how to handle as he took Marsha in his arms and kissed her .

The cab driver coughed and said, “This is nice folks and congratulations, but the meter is running.”