"Dinah is doing fine and yes she is still visiting her parents… Maybe tomorrow she will be back." Jayden said remembering what the nurse had told him last time about patients like Mr. Ellis.
"Dinah loved her graduation birthday present." Jayden found himself reassuring the old man and that seemed to make him look brighter and less tense. They sat at a table that was already beginning to fill up with other residents.
"This is my son Markus the attorney. He stopped by to visit with the old man" Mr. Ellis shared his proud and happy news with everyone and it was plain to see that he was overjoyed with having his son there.
"He talks about you all the time… He refuses to take off your jogging suit so that it can be washed. The staff has to steal it from him when he goes to bed at night" Several of the residents shared with Jayden and he no longer cared about trying to get the record straight as to who he was in Mr. Ellis' life.
"Here son have some… You like applesauce." Mr. Ellis offered his son. Jayden could only imagine what it felt like had his father known who he was and then offered him his favorite food from his plate.
That was the ultimate show of love in his mind to give to someone your portion of food denying yourself. Jayden looked at the applesauce and then his father's expression. The man seemed so overcome with joy to be able to offer his son his favorite food. Jayden found it difficult to refuse watching his father's happy expression. Before he knew it, he took the proffered spoon and scooped up a spoonful of applesauce and ate it. It was too tart for his liking and it all but melted in his mouth slipping down his throat without him even having to swallow it. For some reason it brought tears to his eyes and he fought to keep them at bay.
"It's good… It's still your favorite…" Mr. Ellis beamed watching his son's reaction. Jayden tried his hardest but he couldn't stop the tears that began to fall, nor could he stop eating the tart and slippery applesauce. Even though the applesauce slid down his throat, Jayden found himself choking up over the lump in his throat. The love that his father had for his son couldn't be missed and Jayden felt slighted again. Spoon after spoonful, he ate it all until there was nothing left but an empty saucer and the spoon. It showed that his father was pleased at watching him enjoying one of his favorite foods with him.