Chapter
One
While
Stacy Coltrane enjoyed one of her television shows a commercial
interrupted and grabbed her attention. A retirement community, where
they cleaned, cooked and provided activities. She adored her two
story home of twenty years. But maintaining it was becoming a
serious issue for her. Climbing the stairs hurt her knees. And
keeping her eye on the landscaping men who cared for her yard was
burdensome. They didn’t care for it as she had. She had to do
something; this was no longer an option.
Stacy
lived alone, never finding her prince charming. Her career as a
psychologist was the life she desired. She loved her work, loved
helping people. The time for retirement approached her and she was
ready. Her memory was fading. She struggled with finding the right
word and losing items all the time. Yes it was time to retire. After
two years of going to movies and sitting around the house she needed
to meet new friends and she needed to feel useful again. So the next
day she called the phone number she wrote down from the commercial
and scheduled a tour of the retirement center. Her sister joined her
on the tour and they agreed it was a good choice for Stacy. Lucy was
her younger sister by ten years.
The
retirement center was located in Huntley, Illinois out amidst the
horse ranchers and farmers. You can actually hear the corn grow. And
it was located a few miles from her sister. Her house sold within the
first week. After diligently filling out the required paperwork
between the selling of her house and the new house in the retirement
center, she was moving into her new place. Stacy was excited; it
felt like she was starting a new life, another chapter. And sadly she
realized her last chapter.
The
moving van brought her treasures to her new home and she directed
them where to put everything. Stacy had found the cutest layout of
the houses she had to pick from. There were over one thousand houses
in this community. She had two small bedrooms, walk through kitchen,
small dining area and a decent size living room with a fireplace that
created a cozy warm feeling. Most importantly no stairs! After the
movers finished, Stacy rolled up her sleeves and turned on her iPod
selecting her playlist of the sixties as she unpacked her suitcases
of clothes, and her boxes of treasures that were piled in each of the
rooms.
As
the sun set pulling the light from the room Stacy flicked on a light
realizing how late it was. Her hunger alarm sounded. She thought, it
has to be six o’clock.
Eager to meet and make new friends Stacy changed into her dressy blue
blouse and black pants, and gave her hair a quick brushing. She then
grabbed her fleece jacket, aware of how chilly it gets in these fall
evenings. Locking her door she wondered, Do
seniors commit crimes and if they do what kind.
She followed the directions in the brochure she was provided briskly
to the Grill Restaurant. Glancing up at the star lit sky she smiled
contemplating, if the
stars could be a gateway of our loved ones that have passed on
watching us here on earth. How cool that would be.
Approaching
the Grill she adored the outside appearance, a quaint little
restaurant. As she opened the door the smell of olive oil and garlic
permeated the air. Flowers in white vases decorated each white
clothed table. A small fireplace sat with its dancing flames in the
middle. The place was buzzing with people and waiters dashing to fill
the orders. A thin willowy young girl with short blonde hair
approached her.
"Welcome,
would you prefer a booth or table?" She smiled clutching menus.
"Mmmm,”
Stacy rubbed her chin. “A table please." She thought
noticing the rather large size of the booths.
"Follow
me." Maggie replied as she strode towards the back of the
restaurant. As Stacy passed other couples she smiled and nodded
saying, "Good evening". They returned the gestures.
Maggie
then stopped and held her hand out. "How about this table?"
"Yes
Thank you," Stacy sat and scooted her chair in.
“Can
I get you some coffee, tea, water?" She placed the menu on the
table.
"Herbal
Tea would be great it’s a little late in the day for caffeine."
Stacy smiled.
"Of
course I’ll get it right away." Maggie walked away.
As
Stacy waited for her order she retrieved her phone to create a
grocery list. A voice nearby interrupted her thoughts.
"Hi,
I hope I’m not bothering you, if you'd prefer to be alone I
understand?" A heavyset woman maybe 5'2" stood before her,
wearing a house dress, something Stacy would never be caught dead in.
Stating you don’t care about your appearance.
Stacy,
smiled, "Please I would love the company have a seat."
The
woman plopped into the chair, "My name is Nancy Lawrence. I
noticed you were alone, you are alone right? You’re not
expecting someone?"
The
woman’s voice was loud enough to crack concrete. Stacy thought,
maybe
she is hard of hearing."No
'I’m not expecting anyone. Please eat with me. I would love
it." Stacy replied eager to have conversation.
"I
haven’t seen you around here before.” Nancy said as she
placed her napkin on her lap.
"I
just moved in today." Stacy replied. "So Nancy how long
have you lived here?"
Nancy
placed her hand on her chest before she spoke. "Let me see six
years," her eyes rolled up as she mentally counted, "Yes
that's right six years now?”
"Do
you like it here?" Stacy asked.
Clearing
her throat Nance replied. "I do indeed. I love the activities."
Stacy
sipped her tea and then asked, "So do you live here alone?"
"Yes
well now I do. My husband passed away two years ago. I live in
section 12 B. Do you know where that is yet?" Nancy asked.
"They
did give me a tour, but no it was too much information at once."
Stacy grinned.
Nancy
cocked her head, "How about you do you live alone?" Nancy
asked.
"Yep
all alone and loving it? Stacy replied. She wondered if saying this
was a good thing. “But I do have a killer parrot. He’s
the love of my life.”
Nancy's
face dropped saddened by her news. “Ah a parrot,” she
shrugged.
The
waiter appeared and recited their orders both deciding on the night’s
specialty of spaghetti.
Stacy
was good at reading people and Nancy’s facial expression
considered Stacy at a loss. "Motherhood just wasn't my cup of
tea. How many kids did you two have?" She asked biting her
cheek.
Nancy
hesitated at first; feeling embarrassed especially knowing how Stacy
felt. She then whispered, "Six."
Stacy
laughed. "Congratulations, did you ever figure out what caused
your pregnancy?"
Nancy
laughed her eyes narrowed not thinking Stacy was a bit funny not at
all. "My you are the funny one aren't you. We are devoted
Catholics, we don't believe in birth control. And he blessed us with
half a dozen children. And I cherish each and every one of them."
Nancy dipped her tea bag in the small kettle.
"So
let’s see how many grandchildren do you have now?" Stacy
grew curious.
Again
Nancy raised her eyes to the ceiling as she counted, "Eighteen,
I hope I didn't forget anyone."
"I
won't tell." Stacy replied.
Nancy
chuckled again. You are such a comedian. Once a week we have card
night. Do you like pinnacle?" Nancy changed the topic of
conversation.
"No
always wanted to learn though. Maybe your group can teach me?"
"Maybe."
Nancy replied coldly.
Suddenly
Nancy’s attitude grew cold. It was like she was a different
person. Stacy was too familiar with personality issues over her line
of work. Her speech was stilted. Luckily the waiter appeared serving
their food. Stacy decided to order a bottle of Pinot red wine, her
favorite. Thinking the wine might loosen Nancy up somewhat.
"Nancy
what type of work did you do before retiring?" Stacy felt it
would be safe to ask work related questions with this one.
"Once
the children moved away, I was an accountant for a small firm. I
don’t believe in these working women today. We struggled but
managed to get through it." She traced her finger around her
wine glass. "How about you since you didn't have kids. I mean
just what does one do with their time. I can't imagine."
"I
bet." Stacy laughed. "I had my career as doctor of
psychology." She
certainly slammed me. Why again do I want to meet people?
Again
her face dropped as she stared into Stacy's eyes. "Really."
She stopped dead silence for a while. Her fingers tapped her knife
against the table.
Stacy
felt like an hour had passed before Nancy spoke again. She kept busy
with her spaghetti wrapping it around her fork and buttering her
bread.
Nancy
then spoke. "So tell me about your clients?"
"The
usual marriage issues, children, finances. Oh and for two years I
worked at the county prison." Stacy replied. The room didn't
feel so cozy anymore. Nancy’s cold vibes continued. She so
wanted to retreat back home. . She felt safer at the prison than she
did at this moment. But she didn't dare show it if there is a piece
missing to Nancy’s puzzle, she wanted nothing to do with it.
Stacy didn't want to upset Nancy in any way.
"Weren’t
you scared dealing with the prisoners? I could never do that.”
Nancy shuddered.
"The
guards were always posted around me. I found them interesting, very
interesting." She stared into Nancy's cold black eyes. No
emotions, she has no emotions at all. It’s just a feeling I've
got from her, but she is definitely off.
The
waiter appeared asking if anyone wanted dessert. Stacy replied
immediately, "No thank you. It’s getting late.”
Stacy
treated Nancy for dinner telling her next time it’s on her.
Stacy knew there would never be a next time. But she didn't want to
alarm Nancy in any way whatsoever.
The
woman scooted out from the table and they walked outside together.
Once out into the cool crispness of the night, Nancy turned to Stacy.
"It’s been fun. We should do this again.” She waited
as if Stacy was to invite her over. Nancy handed her a slip of paper
with her phone number. “Call me for that card game. I'd be glad
to teach you first, before we join the others. Oh, and thanks again
for dinner.”
"Sure
that is great.” She tucked the slip of paper into her pocket.
Have a good week." She turned and briskly walked toward her
house. Stacy couldn’t get inside her locked doors fast
enough. I'll bet she wants to get me alone.....
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