Page 19 of Saving Her Heart
"It only takes one injured resident to sue us into bankruptcy," Valerie counters. "I, myself was assaulted?—"
"You were knocked over by a goat," Dr. Williams says. "Hardly assault."
"That goat shouldn't have been in the building!"
"No, it shouldn't," I say, standing. "And I take full responsibility for not catching the situation sooner. Mrs. Parsons has been showing signs of confusion for weeks. I should have contacted her family earlier."
"So, you admit negligence?—"
"I admit to being human. To trying to balance compassion for an elderly resident with enforcing rules. Mrs. Parsons is dealing with dementia. Her husband died eighteen months ago, but she doesn't remember. She got a goat because she's lonely and confused."
"That's not our problem," Valerie snaps.
"Isn't it?" Jax stands up from his seat in the front row. "As a community, don't we have some responsibility to look after vulnerable residents?"
"Officer Masterson, you're not a resident. You don't get to speak here."
"Actually," Dr. Williams says, "Officer Masterson is part of an active investigation regarding threats against Ms. Greene. I'd like to hear what he has to say."
Jax walks to the front, and I notice he's carrying a folder. "This morning's incident, while unfortunate, was handled professionally by Ms. Greene. She attempted to contain the situation while also showing compassion for a confused elderly resident. More importantly, there have been multiple acts of vandalism and threats directed at Ms. Greene today."
He opens the folder, pulling out photos of my paint-covered car, the threatening messages, and holds his phone up to show the damage to his vandalized truck.
"Wait," Mr. Yamamoto says, examining the photos. "Someone did this because of the goat?"
"Someone did this as part of a coordinated campaign to remove Ms. Greene from her position," Jax says, looking directly at Valerie.
"How dare you imply?—"
The door to the community center bangs open. Mrs. Parsons walks in, looking lost and confused in her housecoat and slippers.
"Gertie?" she calls out. "Gertie, where are you?"
The room goes silent. Mrs. Parsons wanders down the aisle, clearly disoriented.
"Harold said she was here. My Gertie. Have you seen her?" She looks around the room with unfocused eyes, then spots me. "Oh, Kendall dear. You're wearing red. Harold loves me in red."
My heart breaks. I leave my chair and go to her, taking her arm gently. "Mrs. Parsons, let's get you home."
"But Gertie?—"
"Gertie's safe. She's just taking a little vacation."
"Oh." Mrs. Parsons considers this. "Like when Harold went to Miami?"
"Exactly like that."
I lead her toward the door, but she stops, looking at the board.
"Are these your friends, dear? How nice." She focuses on Valerie. "Oh, you're the lady who doesn't like my roses. Harold says you're jealous because yours died."
Someone in the audience snickers.
"Mrs. Parsons," Valerie says coldly, "you need to leave. This is official business."
"Don't be rude to the elderly," Mrs. Martinez snaps. "Mrs. Parsons, would you like to sit down? We can call someone for you."
"My niece Sarah is coming," Mrs. Parsons says brightly. "Tomorrow, I think. Or was it yesterday?"
