I had put off coming here for the past two weeks because I was afraid, but I knew I couldn’t put it off any longer.
“Just stay in the car. I’ll only be a half an hour.”
Creed peered through the windshield up at the sprawling building. “You a volunteer or something?” he asked.
“Something,” I muttered. “Just please stay here.”
I never knew what to expect when I walked through the front doors of Larson House. I hadn’t known for the past four years what to expect, and that wasn’t ever going to change.
“I can’t let you go in there on your own.”
“If you tell me because you think I’m meeting Candace in there, then you are completely wrong,” I growled.
Creed shook his head. “I wasn’t thinking that, but now that you put that thought in my head, I am for sure going in with you.”
God dammit.
“Please just let me go in by myself,” I pleaded again.
Creed shook his head. “No dice, gorgeous. I’m stuck to you like glue.”
I growled but didn’t argue anymore. There wasn’t any use. The longer we sat in the parking lot, the longer it would be until this was over. “Fine.”
I opened my door and headed to the front doors without waiting for Creed. If he wanted to come in with me, then he was going to be the one to keep up.
Walking into Larson House felt like stepping into a different world. The outside of the building was unassuming, a standard brick structure with neatly trimmed hedges and a small, well-kept garden to the side. As I pushed through the double doors, the scent of disinfectant and the faint aroma of lavender greeted me. The lobby was bright and cheerful, with sunlight streaming through large windows overlooking the garden. Potted plants added a touch of greenery, and the walls were adorned with colorful paintings and photographs of smiling residents.
Sharon, the friendly receptionist, sat behind a curved wooden desk, her warm smile reaching her eyes as she looked up. “Good morning, Jada! It’s so good to see you!” she sang, her voice cheerful and welcoming. “It’s been a while since you’ve been in.”
There was that shot of guilt I always felt when I came here.
I smiled but knew it didn’t reach my eyes. “Things have been kind of crazy lately. I hope I came at a good time.”
“It’s always a good time for family to visit. Last I checked, she was in the recreation room doing some crafts.”
“Is it a good day?” I asked.
Sharon’s eyes softened. “She hasn’t had a good day in a while.”
That was what I was afraid of. The good days were getting fewer and further between. “Okay, well, we’ll just head down there.”
I could tell that Sharon was interested in knowing who Creed was, but I wasn’t sure what he was.
The hallway was lined with doors, each decorated with the residents’ names and small personal touches like photos and colorful wreaths. I passed a few staff members, all of whom greeted me with friendly nods or smiles. The atmosphere was surprisingly vibrant at Larson House, filled with the sounds of conversation and laughter drifting from various rooms.
As we approached the recreation room, I heard the soft hum of a television and the chatter of people engaged in various activities. I paused for a moment at the doorway, taking in the scene. The room was spacious and bright, with large windows letting in plenty of natural light. Several tables were set up for different activities: a group of elderly women played cards at one table while others worked on a jigsaw puzzle nearby. A couple of residents sat in comfortable chairs, watching a movie on the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.
I spotted her sitting at a table near the window with a soft smile as she haphazardly cut shapes out of a piece of purple paper. Her silver hair was neatly styled, and she wore a bright floral blouse that added a splash of color to the room. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to her, my heels clicking softly on the floor.
I could feel Creed behind me, but I wouldn’t worry about him right now.
I watched her as she carefully cut a circle out of the paper and then reached for a glue stick. Her hands moved with a practiced ease, though the task seemed to consume all her attention. I didn’t want to startle her, so I waited until she looked up.
“That’s pretty,” I called softly, trying to keep my voice gentle.
The woman looked up at me, and my heart clenched. She didn’t know who I was. I could tell it instantly.
“Thank you,” she smiled brightly. “I’m making... something.”