Seeing the concern on her granddaughter's face, Scroll explained, "You're probably thinking my condition's worsened as I normally don't share these kinds of things with you. You're right, it is getting worse.
"I don't think I've ever forgotten that you would be paying me a visit before, have I?"
Anna thought for a moment and replied, "Hmm, now that I think about it, I don't think you have before."
"Exactly, as my greatest joy and pride, how could I forget something as important as you? I bet you even called me to confirm you visit. How long ago did you call me?"
Sighing slightly, Anna answered, "It was a little under an hour ago."
Her grandmother visibly sagged when she heard that.
"I figured you'd have called me yesterday or maybe this morning, but for me to have forgotten something that happened an hour ago... Since I have food in, that means we talked about it earlier as well. My memory truly is deteriorating rapidly.
"I don't mean to make you concerned, but honestly, I'm scared. There's an old saying that sailors used to say: 'To know what lies ahead, you must remember what's behind.' I believe that's a rather accurate phrase.
"Because I forget important things that I shouldn't be forgetting, I never know what will happen. I end up infuriated at myself and scared of what's to come; it's an exhausting way to live."
While Scroll had been speaking, Anna had been washing the dishes, listening intently to her grandmother. When she finished the dishes, she quickly brewed some coffee for the two of them.
After relocating to the living room, Anna turned to Scroll and asked, "Is there anything I can do for you? I'll make sure I visit regularly. Perhaps you could carry a notepad or diary to record important things. I can go to the store now to get you one."
Scroll smiled at her granddaughter's thoughtfulness. "There's no need for you to be concerned with all that; the doctors have recommended some techniques and methods to help my cope. I just needed to get that off my chest.
"No, you don't need to do anything. Obviously, I won't complain if you come to visit me more, but visiting me once a week as you have been is more than enough. You need to leave time to live your own life, you can't be worrying about me all the time."
As she said that, Scroll thought of something. She hesitated for a moment and then continued, "If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that you should always want more. Push yourself more. Don't waste your time hesitating or worrying.
"Anna, your problem is that you put others first too much. You're paying for my medical bills; you've still not asked out that young man you like as you're worried you might put him in an awkward position!
"Bah! Stop neglecting your own needs; strive for more!
"Anna, you are the smartest, most beautiful woman I've ever known. You could be top of the world if you just put yourself first for once."