The next morning, Peter was confused. As I walked through the door, he stared me down cautiously.

"Peter?" I asked.

"How do you know my name?" he replied. He looked genuinely confused. "Am I sick?"

I sighed. "Well, kind of…" I sighed. "We're here to get you signed up for your Alzheimer's study. I need some health information before we can continue. Do you have the number to your primary physician so I can get the files for you?"

He paused. "I don't know who my physician is." He looked down. "I'm sorry, miss, but I can't for the life of me, remember. My son might know though…" He reached over and grabbed his phone. "Here" He tried to hand it to me.

I stared at the phone resting in my hand.

"His name is Alex. You should meet him, I think he'd like you." He winked at me. "You're just the kind of girl he needs. He's been out running around in some rock band lately. I want him to settle down. I've always wanted grandchildren."

I froze, staring at the phone. Quickly navigating to Alex's number, I pressed the call button. I didn't have the heart to tell him that Alex and I were long gone.

It rang a few times before putting me to an automated voicemail. "Sir, he didn't pick up…" I whispered.

Mr. Gaskarth eagerly ushered me to continue. "Call again!" he cried. "He always picks up for his old man." He smiled like a little kid.

Unable to resist his enthusiasm, I cringed and squeezed the phone in my hand. As I did, his phone started to buzz and ring. I jumped from the sudden noise. Across his phone's screen read the name: "Alexander".

I mentally cursed before picking up. His father was smiling.

"Mr. Gaskarth?" I answered formally.

"Mr. Gaskarth is my father," he answered smoothly. "I'm Alex. What can I do for you, sweet thang?"

I felt the butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't tell if it was from the awkward phone call, or the sound of his voice. "I'm your father's nurse," I started. "He's waiting to get cleared for an Alzheimer's experimental study and he needs access to his records. I'm going to need your information for it."

Alex laughed on the other end of the phone. "Damn, Lauren, if you wanted to call me so badly, you could've just done it."

"Whoa, what?" I cried, growing angry. "I'll have you know that I did NOT want to call you. Your father insisted-" He cut me off again.

"Chill out, princess, it's Marvin Sutherland." He laughed. "Baltimore Medical Center. Now, is that all you really needed?"

"No. You're needed in Baltimore, he needs someone to control his medical treatment. I need your signature to continue." I absent-mindedly examined my fingernail polish, pretending to act normal so as not to alarm Mr. Gaskarth.

"HEY now…" started Alex. At last, I thought. The tides are turning.

"Without your signature," I smirked, knowing I finally won, "Your father will be ineligible for treatment. Do you really want that on your hands?"

"No, but-"

"Perfect!" I exclaimed. "I'll see you Monday."

"Wait, can't we talk about this?" he cried, clearly accepting that he did not have the upper hand.

"Of course!" I said, smiling wide. "We can do it in person. See you soon, Mr. Gaskarth!"

"Dammit Lauren!" he yelled. I hung up and handed the phone back to his father. "He'll be here next week." I said with a grin, for once feeling totally and completely in control.