Niles arrived at his home, quite shaken by what he'd observed. Something was going on with his father, and as a physician, it was his natural instinct to think of the worst.
Even Daphne noticed his dour mood. "Darling, what's wrong? You seem quite upset. Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"You're an angel for asking. I don't know what I'd do without you my love," with that, Niles broke down sobbing into his wife's welcoming arms.
"What is it? You're scaring me. Is it your practice? Have you been hit with a lawsuit?"
"No. I wish it were only something that simple. It's...It's..." He could hardly breathe.
"What is it? Is it Frasier?"
"It's Dad."
"What's the old coot done this time? Is he giving Angela a run for her money? I remember how he put me through the paces when I first started," Daphne smiled at the memory.
"I think...I think my dad may have had a stroke," Niles managed to spit out.
"What? What are you talking about?"
"He's forgetting things..memories..he forgot to use his cane today and he fell. He's just not himself."
"Maybe he's having a bad day. People tend to be more forgetful as they get older..."
"My dad's not getting older!"
Both were stunned by Niles' outburst. "I'm sorry Daphne. Forgive me. But there is something you really must know...he doesn 't know who David is anymore!"
With that, Daphne joined her husband in tears, both holding on to each other for dear life.
0000
An hour later, after child care arrangements could be made for David, Daphne and Niles arrived at Martin's home. Ronee answered the door.
"Niles...Daphne. I'm glad you're here."
"what's wrong with Dad now?"
"Ever since you left he's been crying. He says he doesn't know who David is. I reminded him that he's your son, and he feels so guilty. I don't want to alarm you both...but I think we need to.."
"Take him to the hospital." Niles chimed in. "that's why we're here. We need to rule out everything."
"What is it?" An alarmed Ronee asked. "Do you think something's happened to your father? Please be honest with me. I need to know what I'm dealing with."
Daphne squeezed Niles' hand as she answered. "We're concerned that maybe he's had a stroke. I'm sure we're just making a big deal over nothing.."
"Damn right you are! If you two think there's something wrong with my husband than maybe you two are the ones who need to be evaluated!"
"Ronee, please, we realize how difficult this must be on you. We just want to rule everything out."
"Okay. I'll go get him. I'll tell him we're going fishing. He's been on a fishing kick lately, you know."
As Daphne and Niles watched Ronee head to the bedroom, they both wondered what exactly they were getting themselves into. More importantly, they were truly afraid of what the doctor might say.
TBC
A/N: I know this is a sad and serious topic, but it's a cause near and dear to my heart. I am aware that Alzheimer's is a cause that is also near and dear to David Hyde Pierce's heart, so I hope that I can do it justice. Thank you for your encouragement. Fraiser was a sitcom but this is no laughing matter. Dealing with an aging parent can be a major life stressor, and I hope that I can tell this with as much sensitivity as the topic requires. Thank you for reading.
