Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
If she didn’t have such a fondness for animals, she could’ve been a catwalk model. As it were, she adored her job working at the local animal sanctuary.
“That’s one way of putting it,” I replied, knowing by her expression that though she was outraged on my behalf, she also found the first part of the story a small bit hilarious.
Glad my mortification could provide her with a little bright spot amid all the misery.
“He’s so full of himself, and he acts like I’m some kind of scumbag who was taking advantage of his mother’s kindness. No mention of what great condition the house is in. I adored both Dad and Leonora, but if it were left to them, the place would be falling apart. I can’t begin to count the number of repairs I’ve arranged since moving in.”
“You definitely spruced the place up,” Frances agreed, though her voice was faraway, and I knew she was back in her grief. It was difficult to escape. You had moments where you could be normal and focus on practical things, then a wave of loss would hit you like a sledgehammer.
“Hey, are you all right?” I asked, standing and going to put my arms around her.
Frances sniffled. “I know he made our lives so fucked up when we were kids, but the way he was the last few years … He was such a great grandfather to the girls. I hate that they’ve lost him.”
In the other room, her six-year-old triplets, Donna, Dakota and Dahlia, were watching some kids’ show and giggling about something funny happening on screen.
“I hate it, too. But they have you and Glen. You two are the best parents those girls could ask for, and they’ll get through this. I know they will.”
Frances gave another sniffle. “I hope you’re right.”
Hugging her tight, we stayed like that, taking comfort from one another for a time.
***
I didn’t normally go into work on Sundays, but I’d been out all week, and I needed to drop in and make sure everything was running smoothly in my absence. Managing a care home for the elderly could be a demanding job at times, and there was always something to be dealt with at Pinebrook Lodge. Always big and small issues to solve, whether it was repair work on the building itself, interpersonal issues between the residents or complaints and requests from relatives, every member of staff was kept on their toes.
There were sad moments to be had for sure, moments of frustration and fear, struggles when people called in sick and we were short staffed. But there was also laughter and joy, friendship and acts of selflessness.
Having been manager for almost eight years, I prided myself on the fact that every person I hired had a genuine interest in the work, which wasn’t very glamourous. In my view, though, caring for human beings when they became too old, sick or frail to care for themselves was one of the most important jobs a person could commit to. I knew what it was like to have to rely on others for care, which was probably why it was such a passion of mine. After my accident, Mam and Frances helped a lot during my rehabilitation. Now not a day went by when I didn’t appreciate my ability to get around on my own.
Currently, we had thirty-three residents, and I made it my mission to ensure they got the best possible treatment and care we could provide.
Alf, our maintenance man and occasional cleaner, was mopping the front entrance when I arrived. Alf was sixty-two and an absolute Godsend. I was dreading the day when he took his retirement, but I tried not to dwell on it too much.
“Ada, what are you doing here? I thought you’d be—”
“I just wanted to drop in and take care of a few things while I have the time. The funeral’s tomorrow, and all the preparations are done, so I’d rather not sit around the house doing nothing.”
Alf’s gaze softened in understanding. “I was so sad to hear about your father and his wife.”
“Thank you. I’ll be in my office if anyone needs me.”
Alf nodded, and I continued through the main lounge area. It was early, but a few residents were up watching TV or reading newspapers. I was close to a few of them, in particular Archie, Bill, Philomena and Jackie, all four of whom had been with us the longest. They would’ve heard the news about Dad and would want to console me, but I was feeling too raw even for kind, empathetic words from my lovely octogenarians.
The rawness was grief, but it was made worse by the presence of Jonathan Oaks in my life. Dealing with his assistant in arranging the funeral was fine. Therese seemed like a nice woman. But him. Ugh. There was just something about his entitled confidence that rubbed me the wrong way. And yes, he’d seen me naked. It felt unfair. I should get to see him naked to even out the score.