Siphokazi returns at five in the afternoon. Only one family gave a job washing their clothes today. She only made R100.

She greets Gogo and Nonkanyiso, then bathes before she gets ready cook supper.

“How did it go today, my grandchild?” asks Gogo.

Siphokazi is delighted that Gogo is feeling better now. She feels a surge of happiness because Gogo remembers her.

“It went well, Gogo,” says Siphokazi.

She feels guilty about lying to Gogo. But again, she tells herself she is doing the right thing, because if she told Gogo the truth, she’d worry, and Siphokazi doesn’t want Gogo to worry.

“The most important thing in life is understanding that days are not the same. There are ups and downs. Just know that God is watching over you, He sees all your hard work and one day He will answer all your prayers,” says Gogo.

Siphokazi sees an assured smile on Gogo’s face. It is a smile she hasn’t seen in a long time. “Thank you, Gogo. I will treasure your words forever.”

“That’s good, my grandchild. I had a lovely time with Nonkanyiso,” says Gogo.

“So did I, Gogo,” says Nonkanyiso.

Siphokazi stands up and heads to the kitchen. “Let me whip up supper.”

“There’s no need, cousin. I knew you’d come back tired so I cooked. All you have to do is dish up for yourself. Gogo and I already ate,” says Nonkanyiso.

An hour later, after long sweet conversations, Nonkanyiso stands up and says, “It’s getting late. I better head home. I had a lovely time with Gogo. Don’t hesitate to ask for my help to look after Gogo.”

“Thank you for what you did for me today, Nonkanyiso.”

Seeing that Gogo is feeling well, Siphokazi walks Nonkanyiso home. She returns home to find Gogo sitting on the sofa watching TV and smiling.

“I’ll run you a bath, Gogo,” says Siphokazi.

“I’d like that, my grandchild. Thank you.”

Siphokazi wakes up at 7am. She still has good memories of yesterday because Gogo was well. She gets out of bed and knocks on Gogo’s bedroom door.

“Gogo,” she says softly.

There is no answer. She opens the door softly. Gogo is not in her bedroom. She looks in all the rooms in the house, panic rising in her heart as she doesn’t find Gogo anywhere.

“Gogo! Where are you, Gogo?!” she shouts.

She looks outside, now sweating because of worry. She looks at the ground and sees the imprints of Gogo’s sandals. She is crying as she follows the footprints out of the yard. She runs along a footpath in the forest nearby. She suddenly hears the sound of children laughing, followed by Gogo’s laughter. She runs full tilt and stops in her tracks when she sees two young boys on either side of Gogo.

“Where did you find Gogo?” Siphokazi inquires.

“We met her by the river,” says one of the boys.

Siphokazi looks at the boys and says, “Go on, boys. Thank you for taking care of Gogo.”

“Bye-bye, Gogo,” the boys say simultaneously.

Siphokazi holds Gogo’s hand as they walk home.

“Where were you, Gogo? I was worried sick.”

“I went for a swim in the river,” says Gogo.

“Why, Gogo?”

“What’s wrong with bathing in the river? We grew up bathing there,” says Gogo.

“You can’t do that any more, Gogo. These days people will think you are up to no good if they see you bathing in the river. They will say you are practising witchcraft.”

“Well, that’s their opinion. When we were young we bathed in the river.”

“Things are no longer the same, Gogo. It’s not so innocent any more, there are rapists everywhere.”

“They’d never rape an old dying woman like me.”

“You’d be surprised, Gogo. I don’t want to lose you. I want you to be around to see me succeed. Please promise me you won’t do this again, Gogo. Please.”

“I hear you, my grandchild. I hear you,” says Gogo.

Tell us: How do you think society could better provide for people with illnesses like Alzheimer’s?