Lucid

by Bill Kelly

About the Author: Bill Kelly is a Los Angeles based screenwriter. His produced credits include "Blast From The Past," "Premonition" and "Enchanted".

Excerpt

“That’s the funny thing about Alzheimer’s.”

“Funny?”

“Well, not funny.” A look of horror crossed Lucy Pritchard’s face the moment the word came out of her mouth, and Ted couldn’t help but be struck by her piercing blue eyes.

They were kind eyes. Caring eyes. She was a sensitive girl, and it was clear she felt badly at even the suggestion that she found humor in the plight of the afflicted. “I mean, it’s just awful. It’s terrible. To lose yourself like that. Lose who you are.” Lucy frowned, emphasizing her point. “That’s part of why it’s been the focus of my studies. If I can make a difference, even with one person, you know?”

Ted did know. He remembered his own long-ago idealism, how he had cruised out of grad school with the same hopefulness, only to crash a few years later into the multi-car pile-up that was life’s realities. Still, Ted wasn’t interested in crushing other people’s ambitions. Maybe she could make a difference. He certainly wasn’t here to stop her.

“So what’s the funny thing about Alzheimer’s?”

“I’m sorry.” Lucy apologized all over again. “Maybe ironic would be a better word?”

“Works for me,” Ted said, attempting a breezy smile, wondering if she could detect the physical strain required for him to produce it.

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