Fiction
She didn’t want to be a burden on her daughter, so moving to an old-age home seemed the perfect solution – or was it?
MIRIAM looked out of the passenger window, barely able to see the top floor of the 10-storey building before her view was abruptly cut off by the roof covering the dropoff area.
Through the glass walls flanking the doors of the entryway she could see several groupings of modern sofas in the lobby, most of them occupied by families. Sunday must be a popular day for visits.
“It looks pretty big, Mom.” Bev stopped the car in a parking space directly in front of the doors and popped the boot before turning to stare at her mother. “But you should just come live with Bill and me. We could make you a whole suite with a kitchen and everything.”
The last thing Miriam wanted to be, besides old, was a burden. Time had taken the first out of her hands a number of years ago and now a recent fall had landed her in a wheelchair, forcing her to make several hard decisions to avoid becoming the latter.
“Honey, my mind is made up and I want to look at all my options.”
She squeezed Bev’s hand, hoping to erase the look of concern on her face.
“Now, go get my wheels and let’s check this place out. Looks fancy.” She wiggled her eyebrows, hoping to lighten the mood.
Bev sighed as she opened the door and went to unload the chair from the boot. No child likes the thought of their parents ageing and she was no exception. Two minutes later she was opening the door and helping Miriam manoeuvre into the seat. “Let’s get this over with then.”
A nice-looking man in pale white scrubs came out to meet them.
“Good morning.” He smiled, showing off perfect teeth. “May I help you while your daughter closes the car doors?”
Miriam smiled back and nodded. If all the nurses were this handsome and polite she might be happy to call this place home.
He pushed her through the sliding doors and into the lobby she’d been admiring. Her chair moved smoothly over the unblemished marble floor as they navigated around generations of families scattered across no fewer than 15 couches. She could imagine her daughter and grandchildren and soon great-grand-
children visiting her in this lovely space.
“This is one of four indoor common areas for our residents to enjoy. You’ll see the rest on your tour.”
He parked her chair next to a colourful aquarium. “I’ll let Helen know you’re here. She’ll be out in a second. Have a wonderful day.”
Oh yes, she could be happy here.
THE aquarium was beautiful. Fish of all the colours of the rainbow swam amid long green plants. A large rock took up the centre of the tank and made a perfect hiding spot for the fish to dart in and out of. “Miss, would you help me find my stapler?”
Miriam jumped. She was so focused on the activity in the water she hadn’t noticed the man as he approached her. “I’m sorry?” “My stapler. Would you help me find it?”
“I’m afraid I’m just here for a visit. I wouldn’t be helpful in finding anything.”
“You’d be more helpful than you might imagine.” The man smiled, his dentures unnaturally white against his leathery, overtanned skin.
“Frank! Go back to your room and leave this poor lady alone.” A woman about Bev’s age arrived, shooing an upset-looking Frank towards the lifts behind the aquarium.
“Miriam, I’m Helen and I’ll be showing you around our facility today. Wasn’t your daughter coming with you?”
“Right here.” Bev appeared, a little breathless. “I got a little turned around. This place is big.”
“Our spaciousness is highly rated by the residents here.” She grabbed the handles of Miriam’s wheelchair and directed her to the lifts. Frank was nowhere in sight. “As is our stunning modern décor.”
The next 40 minutes were spent being shown different flat floor plans while Helen waxed on about the endless reasons to make this retirement place Miriam’s new home.
It was beautiful and most people seemed friendly but Miriam’s initial excitement was quickly crushed by Helen’s pushy sales tactics. As they ended their visit Helen parked Miriam back by the same aquarium.
“I’m going to speak to your daughter for a moment. We’ll be right back.”
Bev looked back over her shoulder as she was all but hauled into an office.
“Alone again?” Frank was back, his dyed black hair freshly combed and that blindingly white smile on his face. He’d clearly recovered from Helen’s banishment.
“I’m sure it will only be a minute before my daughter is back.”
“Then we should hurry if you’re going to help me. I’ve been looking for someone to help me find my stapler all day and I feel like you’re the perfect woman for the job.”
She looked at the closed office door. She was ready to leave. She hadn’t liked Helen before, but thinking Miriam should be left out of any discussions relating to this place, especially since she was the one who’d not only be living here but also footing the bill, was plain rude. The woman needed a swift kick in the pants.
“How long does Helen usually take in there?”
“Long enough for you to help me find my stapler.”
“You’re awfully worried about where your stapler is. Do you use it often?” She couldn’t imagine why someone in a retirement home had such a need. “Oh, yes. All the time.” “Well, where did you see it last? That’s always the best place to start. “It was in my pants.” “Maybe it fell out of your pocket.”
“You should come to my room. I’m sure you’ll find it there.”
“Mom!” Bev yelled, having suddenly appeared behind Miriam. “We’re leaving right now!”
Swinging Miriam’s chair around, she took off across the busy lobby, leaving Frank and Helen staring after them. “You can’t live here.”
“Wouldn’t want to. I think they have some sort of problem with theft. I don’t see how you could lose a stapler. Must have been stolen.”
“He wasn’t talking about an actual stapler, Mom.” Bev continued out the doors and into the parking lot. “I’ll request for quotations from contractors. You’re staying with us!”
“Oh,” said Miriam, suddenly comprehending. “All right then.”
‘You’re awfully worried about where your stapler is. Do you use it often?’