by Diane Weiner
“Hey, sorry I’m late.” Theresa came in still wearing her work clothes. “Let’s get in line. I really need some coffee. Maybe a biscotti too. We can hit the gym tomorrow.”
“I just got here. How are things going? Tell me about that new guy you’re seeing. You’ve been walking on a cloud these days.”
“Well, he’s just wonderful. He buys me flowers and texts me all the time saying he’s thinking about me. We’ve been together every day this week. I think he may be the one.” Theresa looked like a star-gazing teenager.
“I’m very happy for you. He just better keep treating you right or he’ll have me to answer to. What are friends for, right?”
“I’m glad you’ve got my back,” giggled Theresa. “Hey, we’re next.”
“I’ll take a mocha latte with soy milk and a chocolate biscotti,” said Theresa.
“I’ll take a frappacino with whipped cream. It’s been a tough day,” Jody said. They found an empty table and enjoyed their drinks.
Chapter 34
I hate traveling these days, thought Susan. It’s such a hassle taking off your shoes, packing three ounces of shampoo, taking your laptop out of the case. As a rule, she avoided air travel but this was important. She hoped Carolina would get the information she needed.
Carolina looked at the flight board. “Hey, it looks like the flight’s on time,” said Carolina.
Susan was glad the weather had cooperated. She and Carolina took out their self-printed boarding passes. Neither had luggage to check, which would save time when they got to Ft. Lauderdale. They boarded the plane.
“I wish they had more storage for carry-ons,” said Susan. She checked a few overhead bins and finally found room to store her suitcase. Carolina shoved her soft duffel bag under her seat. Susan took out her Kindle. Carolina took out her iPod. The flight was smooth and before they knew it, they were in Florida.
“I hope we get some answers,” said Carolina. “I don’t want to worry about being taken away from my home. I’ve lost so much already.”
“I know,” said Susan. She took off her jacket but noticed that there were people wearing jeans and sweaters. “I definitely consider this shorts weather,” she said. The air was thick and heavy even though this was technically winter. She’d been to Florida in the summer and it was even stickier and hotter. She didn’t understand why people retired here. She loved the change of seasons in New York and really hated the heat. At least summer only lasted a few months back home.
“Here’s the hotel shuttle,” said Carolina. They climbed into the white van and buckled up. “The roads are so flat here,” said Carolina. Back in the Hudson Valley they were surrounded by mountains so this was a noticeable contrast. They pulled into the Ramada Inn, gathered their bags, and checked in.
The room was generic. There were two full-sized beds with floral bedspreads, a dark wood desk, and a bathroom with a tub/shower combo. It’s so stuffy in here, thought Susan. She turned the air conditioner to high while Carolina flicked on some lamps and opened the curtains. They put their clothes in the dresser drawers. Susan put her toothbrush and three ounces of shampoo in the bathroom.
“Let’s grab a quick lunch and then get over to the nursing home,” suggested Susan.
“Sure. Let me just change my clothes first. I’m sweaty from the van ride. You think they’d use the AC.” Carolina put on a fresh pair of jeans and a T shirt which read ‘Westbury High Debate Team.’
“Is this okay?” asked Susan. They were standing in front of the hotel café.
“Sure. I’m anxious to eat and get going,” said Carolina.
“They have a lunch special. You can get either soup or a salad with half a Cuban sandwich,” explained Susan.
“I’ll get that with the minestrone,” said Carolina.
“I’ll have the same,” said Susan.
They ate their overpriced soup and sandwiches, and then grabbed a black and yellow taxi from the line in front of the hotel.
“Look at those houses,” said Carolina. The taxi was driving along the ocean on A1A. The mansions were mostly Spanish-styled with iron sculpted gates and fountains out front. The taxi driver explained that most of the owners only came down for the winters.
Coventry was a newer building with a salmon-colored exterior. The lobby was painted pastel blue and a large mural with palm trees flanking a beach scene was the first thing you saw when you walked in. Wicker furniture was arranged so that it was possible for ambulatory residents to come out and visit with their families. Susan and Carolina were buzzed into the facility. The first thing that hit them was the smell of body odor. Susan had seen an experiment on Dr. Oz where they took t-shirts and had three different aged groups of people wear them for a week. Then they had audience members smell them and rate the odor. The shirts from the oldest wearers were rated least offensive. Susan didn’t buy that. There definitely was such a thing as old person smell and it wasn’t pleasant. She gave her armpit a discreet sniff, just in case. They passed patients in wheelchairs and others with walkers. The halls had railings built into both sides of the walls. It was depressing, no way around it.
“Here’s his room,” said Carolina. The room was small and painted yellow with a green and white patterned wall paper border. In the center was a utilitarian hospital bed with a metal night stand. Across from the bed, a flat screen TV was suspended from the ceiling. A faux wood dresser and a plastic chair rounded out the décor. They walked in and saw an elderly man lying on his side in a fetal position. Susan was less than optimistic that they’d be able to communicate with him. She was right.
“Mr. Bowers, my name is Susan Wiles and this is Carolina Rogers, your granddaughter. We came from New York to see you.”
Mr. Bowers grunted.
“Grandpa, do you remember me?” asked Carolina. She turned to Susan. “I haven’t seen him since I was eight. I’ll be surprised if he recognizes me.”
“Mr. Bowers, we really need to talk to you. Carolina needs your help.”
Mr. Bowers was unresponsive. A nurse came in to check his blood pressure.
“He has his good days and his bad,” said the nurse. “If you catch him at the right time, he’s perfectly lucid. Maybe come back later,”
“Thank you,” said Carolina. “I guess we have no choice.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll try again later. The nurse said he goes in and out.”
Susan and Carolina returned to the hotel.
“I brought a bathing suit just in case,” said Susan. “Why don’t we go down to the pool for a bit? We can try again after dinner.”
“Okay, I guess so,” said Carolina. She pulled a striped two-piece from her suitcase. Susan changed into a black one-piece. She hated black but she knew it made you look slimmer––especially when combined with ‘tummy trimming technology.’ They grabbed-shaped pool.
“The water is so refreshing,” said Susan. Surprisingly, they had the whole pool to themselves. The pool was lined with white plastic lounge chairs and in the corner there was a table covered with an umbrella. If it weren’t for the sound of the traffic whizzing by, you could almost think you were in some Caribbean resort. Well….maybe a Caribbean Econolodge.
“It feels so weird to be swimming outdoors in the middle of winter,” said Carolina. “I could get used to this. Strange as it may seem, I love the smell of chlorine.”
Susan did a little aqua jogging. It was easier on your joints than jogging on land and the water added resistance. After a while, a family with two children came through the gate. The little boy looked like a third grader, and the little girl––kindergarten. After spending her career teaching in an elementary school, Susan could easily assess a child’s age.
“Hello,” said the dad. He was probably in his mid-thirties and wore light blue surfer shorts. “Where are you girls from?”
“New York,” answered Susan. “And you?”
“Atlanta. We’re here for my father’s birthday. He loves seeing the kids.”
�
�I’m sure he does,” answered Susan. She knew she’d love spending time with her grandchildren one day. The mom was about the same age as the dad and wore a modest two piece. She swam a few laps, then stretched her arms over the side of the pool, kicking her feet nonchalantly out in front of her. The children were both experienced swimmers and raced back and forth across the pool. When they got tired of that, the little boy started jumping off the side of the pool and deliberately splashing his sister.
“Mom, tell him to stop,” whined the little girl, stretching the word Mom into two syllables. That’s something Susan didn’t miss from her teaching days. She hated when kids used that whiney tone. Lynette would never let her kids get away with that. No, siree, her grandkids would know how to use their words to effectively communicate. No need for dramatics.
“Well, I think we’re going to dry off and get some dinner. It was nice meeting you. Have fun with your Grandpa.” Susan addressed the last comment to the children.
When they got back to the room, Susan called Mike. She already missed him. She and Carolina changed out of their bathing suits and put on fresh clothes for dinner.
“I’m going to hang my suit here by the air conditioner,” said Carolina.
“What do you feel like eating?” asked Susan.
“I saw a pizza place,” said Carolina. “We passed it on the way to the nursing home. Let’s eat there and then go back to see my Grandfather.”
“Sounds good,” said Susan.
They entered the pizzeria and took a seat at a booth. The table was covered with a red and white checkered tablecloth, and a wax-covered Chianti bottle had been turned into a table light. Susan and Carolina studied the plastic menus.
“Let’s share a pizza if that’s okay with you,” said Susan. “What do you want on it? Do you want New York style or Sicilian?”
“New York style has fewer calories, and I like mushrooms and black olives.”
“Sounds perfect. Let’s get the whole wheat crust.”
After dinner, they returned to the nursing home. Mr. Bowers was sitting up, eating his dinner with the help of the nurse. Compared to the delicious pizza they’d just eaten, his dinner looked horrid.
“Hi, Grandpa. Are you enjoying your dinner?” Mr. Bowers looked at Carolina and said something that sounded like gibberish. He was eating mashed potatoes and some meatloaf that looked as though it had been left out in the rain. The hospital sheets were tossed aside. Susan was grateful that he was wearing pajama pants under his hospital gown.
“How is he this evening?” asked Susan
“He was talking a bit before dinner, then he lapsed back into this,” said the nurse.
“Carolina,” said Mr. Bowers.
“I’m surprised that he knows my name and can say it so clearly.” His knees were bent like a door jamb in need of oil. Protruding from his hospital gown, his legs looked like deflated footballs.
“Grandpa, yes it’s me.” Carolina moved closer and grasped his forearm.
“Carolina. Remember the rocking horse?”
“Yes, Grandpa.” Carolina looked at Susan. “I think he remembers how I used to love the rocking horse outside Safeway. It was painted black and white with red stirrups and black plastic reins. He had to give me a boost to reach the saddle. He used to put quarter after quarter in the red metal box for me. It even played cowboy music. Grandpa would sing along, something about ‘git along little dogies’.”
“Carolina,” aid Mr. Bowers.
“I don’t think you’ll get much more right now. Why don’t you give me your phone number and I’ll call you if he becomes coherent,” offered the nurse.
“Okay, let’s do that,” said Carolina. Carolina jotted down her number on the pad of paper on the nightstand. Susan could hear the disappointment in Carolina’s voice. They found a taxi and returned to the hotel. Carolina pulled out her smart phone, and Susan turned on the TV.
“We’ll try again tomorrow,” said Susan. “I know you’re disappointed but tomorrow is, as they say, another day. Let’s relax and get some sleep.”
“Okay. I think I’ll take a shower now so I’ll have time to dry my hair.”
Susan set her phone alarm and watched a little more TV before falling asleep. How did Law and Order manage to stay so interesting after all these years? You’d think they’d run out of ideas for episodes. She could hear the cars going by outside but she was used to Mike’s snoring so she had no problem falling asleep. No Ambien needed. The ringing of Carolina’s cell phone woke her up before sunrise. She could hear Carolina groggily answer the phone.
“Hello. Yes, this is Mr. Bower’s granddaughter. Really? Thank you so much. We’ll be right over.”
“Well, was it the nursing home?” asked Susan. By now she was fully awake and craving coffee.
“Yes, it was the nurse from last night. Her shift ends at 7:00 so she wanted to call us before she left to tell us that Grandpa is awake and is totally coherent. She knew we’d be anxious to come over.”
“Oh, that’s great. Let me jump in the shower and we’ll get over there. I’ll be very fast.” Susan was true to her word. Five minutes later she pulled a pair of tan capris and a coral colored t-shirt from the drawer. Wearing summer clothes in the middle of winter felt weird but it was refreshing not to be restricted by bulky clothing. Outside of the lobby, the sunrise painted pastels across the horizon and the wind blew a hint of coolness across her cheek. Pedestrians carried coffee and newspapers. Why did coffee always smell especially enticing on mornings when you most needed it? Susan felt a slight ache across her forehead. Joggers and bikers competed for space on the sidewalk. Don’t people go to work here in Florida, thought Susan. Certainly not all of the morning exercisers looked old enough to be retired. A line of yellow taxis were parked outside of the hotel. Susan and Carolina slid into the first one and despite morning traffic, they walked through the nursing home doors twenty minutes later.
“I hope he’s still talking,” said Carolina. She clasped her hands together as though she was praying.
“Well, let’s find out,” said Susan. They signed in at the front desk and stuck blue and white visitor passes to their shirts. The aroma of bacon and eggs emanated from the food carts that lined the hallways. Susan’s stomach growled. When they got to Mr. Bower’s room they were astonished to see Carolina’s grandpa sitting up in bed. His hair was combed and he looked twenty years younger than he’d looked yesterday.
“Hi, Grandpa,” said Carolina. She went over to the bed and gave him a hug.
“Carolina. I’d recognize that beautiful face anywhere. You look so grown up. I’m so happy to see you.” He hugged her with his scrawny arms.
“You too, Grandpa. This is my friend Mrs. Wiles. She was the best teacher ever and she’s been watching out for me ever since mom died.”
“Good, good. How is your Dad doing?”
“He’s doing just great,” said Carolina. Susan knew the whole subject of Javier drinking and having been a suspect in Vicky’s murder was not something Carolina wanted to get into.
“What can I do for you, sweetheart?” His cloudy blue eyes looked up at Carolina.
“I’m hoping you can help me find my mom’s sister––your younger daughter.”
“Oh, yes, Rebecca.”
“Does she live around here?” asked Carolina.
“No, she lives in Idaho––no, wait, Ohio. She works at some daycare or school or maybe a college. She comes down here sometimes. I saw her yesterday. She brought cookies.”
“That was last summer, Mr. Bowers. Remember, she came for your birthday,” interrupted the nurse.
“Do you know why mom never talked about her?” asked Carolina.
“Yes, it was so sad. They haven’t talked since Rosemary’s death. Your Grandma Rosemary died when you were a little girl last year. I wish you could have known her. She was a great cook––made the best meatloaf, even used fresh tomatoes in it. I used to tell her it was what got me to propose to her.”
Carolina seemed to be getting a little impatient. “What happened?”
“Trouble. Trouble over the inheritance. Rosemary left the gems to Rebecca, gave Vicky nothing. I guess she figured since Vicky was married and already set with a good career she didn’t need it. Boy, your mom had a temper. Used to throw things and slam doors when she got mad. I don’t really blame her for being upset, but it wasn’t Rebecca who wrote the will. Rebecca probably would have shared some of it with her had she not overreacted so badly.”
“Wow. I had no idea. I think mom mentioned having a sister maybe once. I have an aunt that I’ve never even met. Is she married? Does she have kids?”
“No, not yet .She’s so pretty, like her mom,” said Mr. Bowers.
“Carolina, we passed a bagel shop on our way here. It was only about a block away. You visit and I’ll bring back some breakfast.” Susan walked past more joggers and bicyclists en route to the bagel shop. She imagined those joggers stopping there to carb load. Bins of bagels and bialys greeted customers as soon as they walked in the door. So many choices, she thought––onion, sesame, poppy seed, raisin. She chose the whole wheat one for herself and an assortment to bring back to the nursing home. The shop was crowded with diners and the take-out line was growing by the minute. Waitresses zipped through refilling coffee and delivering red plastic baskets of food. The bagels were still warm when she received her order. She could feel the heat through the brown paper bag and the yeasty, doughy aroma taunted her all the way back to Coventry. She figured it was about half a mile each way. The promise of bagels (and coffee) had her power walking all the way back. She figured this walk could maybe burn up about the calories in the butter she was going to put on her bagel.
Carolina and her Grandpa were still talking when she returned. Susan offered a bagel to the nurse.
“This salt bagel tastes just like a pretzel,” said Carolina.
“I’m afraid I can only handle the soft part in the middle. My teeth aren’t what they used to be,” said Grandpa.
