“Have you talked to Mom lately?” Lauren asked her older sister.

“No, not since the nurse called about her not wanting to take her medicine. Why?” Mary was almost afraid to ask. It seemed there was always a new complaint.

“We’ve got a new problem.”

“Oh? What now? I thought she was happy at Pleasant View. I don’t know if I have the energy to keep solving  problems.”  Mary was exasperated, as she was the designated person the home called when they needed a decision or had a problem that needed a solution.  She loved her mother, but this was taking an inordinate amount of time. She wanted a life of her own.

“I think she is settling in just fine. Maybe a little too well. I just spoke with the director and it seems that Mom is involved in a romance.”

“A romance? You’re kidding.”  Maybe this wouldn’t be all bad. A love interest would give Mom something to occupy her thoughts besides her ailments.

“No kidding. It’s the talk of the home. Everyone is buzzing about it.”

“Well, they don’t have much to talk about in the home. So what exactly is the buzz?”  Please don’t let this be anything I need to deal with.

“It seems the night nurse discovered a little hanky-panky. Two in a bed. That sort of thing.”

“Well, well.  I guess they aren’t as frail as they look. And it’s been quite a few years since Dad died. Where’s the harm?  Mom deserves a little fun. Do we know who the gentleman is? I recall seeing a couple of men that looked rather spry.  And with the male-female ratio being what it is, Mom is still attracting the men. I’m proud of Mom.  Hope I’m still considered attractive when my time comes.”

“Sit down, big sister.  Mom’s lover is named Jane.”

Mary sat. A large breath escaped. She stared at the floor as she let that information sink in, even though it wasn’t that much of a shock.  “Well, I guess there is a side of Mom that we know nothing about.”

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