"I think that'd be hard for anyone. Alzheimer's is notorious for being rough on everyone it affects, not just the person who has it. I know that."
Hansel paused. He had to fight back words which meant nothing at all. Platitudes wouldn't do any good in the circumstances they were in. Neither of them knew one another as well as he would like them to---but it was something he could work on with her.
Hesitantly, he offered, "Lavender. My mother smelled like lavender. I don't remember a lot of things about my parents. They were murdered. I remember. I remember my mother loved lavender. My father is harder. Mostly I remember him telling me to run. Run into the forest. Take Gretel. Run. I hated my parents for a long time. If anyone understands what it's like to be tied to family, it's me. You don't have to thank me. You don't have to---just take care of your mom. You only get one."