Page 12 of Charming my Best Friend

“Her granddaughter’s boyfriend.”

“Very well,” she said, lifting an open binder onto the counter. “If you could just sign in there, please.”

I wrote my name and the date and time. I didn’t see Chelsea’s name above mine, but I figured that was only because regular volunteers didn’t have to sign in as visitors.

“Thank you-” The woman craned her neck to check my signature. “Aiden.” Then she checked her watch. “Rose should be in the sitting room now with her friends.” She raised an arm and pointed down one of the hallways. “Straight down that way. Third door on your left. It should be open.”

I thanked her and headed down the corridor, peeking in the rooms as I went by, hoping it wouldn’t be too long before someone offered me a butterscotch candy.

I saw Rose as soon as I stepped through door number three. “Hi Rose,” I said, lifting a hand and nodding to her and her friends. “Ladies.”

“Aiden! What a nice surprise.” She put her hands on the front of her armrests.

“Don’t get up,” I said, grabbing an empty chair and planting it beside her.

“Oh sure, the day I’m not wearing my glasses a hunk of man candy shows up,” her friend said, throwing her hands in the air. “Isn’t that just my luck?”

“Don’t mind Betty,” Rose said. “She’d only undress you with her eyes if she had ‘em on.”

“I’d undress you with my hands, too, if it weren’t for my arthritis,” Betty added.

“How are you?” Rose asked.

“I’m great,” I said. “Though I bet I’d be better if I came to see you more.”

“And me,” Betty said. “I’m the one that’ll give you something to smile about.”

Rose rolled her eyes.

“Is Chelsea around?” I asked, my eyes bouncing between the knitters and card players around the edge of the room.

“Chelsea?”

“Yeah, I thought she was coming to see you today.”

“That would be a wonderful surprise. I haven’t seen her since March.”

“March?” I asked, wondering if Rose was losing it after all. “I thought she was here more recently than that?” Like last week.

Rose turned to Betty. “Wasn’t it March?” Rose asked. “Remember when you met my Granddaughter?”

“The hungry looking one?” Betty asked.

Rose gave her a look and squeezed my knee. “The slim blonde, yes.”

“It was March alright,” Betty said. “I remember because it was around the time my husband died.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said.

“Oh don’t be, pet,” Betty said. “He died fifteen years ago.”

“So it was definitely March then,” Rose said. “Haven’t seen her since.”

“My bad,” I said. “I must have gotten her confused with someone.” Someone I could trust.

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