Umber (65)
October 23, 2012 § Leave a comment
With great relief I told the receptionist, “Actually, I was just stopping by to see Ms. Tibbs.”
“Are you a relative?” she asked, poised to notify security about the matronly intruder in the lobby.
“I’m an old friend of the family.”
“I didn’t know she had any family.”
In a louder voice she called out,”Miss Tibbs, this person says she’s a friend of your family. Do you know her?”
The old white-haired lady in the periwinkle pantsuit turned her head slowly. I noticed that her head and right arm shook with slight but persistent tremors. When she managed to turn around to look at me, she smiled a broad, lopsided smile and replied, “Why, indeed I do know her! Hello, Miss Marla, it’s been a long, long time. Please come to my room and we’ll chat. “Benny,” (she addressed the young nursing assistant who’d been helping her to her room,) “Be a dear and bring us some tea and macaroons, would you please?”
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