The woman turned her head and smiled at Val. She let go of the blanket and held up her hands to show off all ten of her fingers. “It’s called ‘Orchid Frost’. Let me see yours.” The voice was as rickety as the fingers.

“I’m afraid mine aren’t as nice.” Val held up her own hands to reveal digits that desperately needed a trip to the manicurist.

“Oh, Helen could fix that for you. That’s my niece. She works in a beauty parlor.”

Val took a deep breath, preparing to get the needed information. She placed her hand on the woman’s arm in a sympathetic manner. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but your husband is…” She wasn’t quite sure of what to say and hesitated.

The woman spoke first. “Husband? Who, Herbert? He’s not my husband.” The woman smiled again at Val and whispered, as if sharing a personal secret to a female friend. “He’s my boyfriend.”

Val swallowed hard, not sure if she could do this or not. She said a few things gingerly, trying to explain that Herbert was dead, but the woman didn’t seem to comprehend what she was saying. She tried again.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but Herbert has passed.” Val raised her voice, making the obvious mistake of thinking if she talked louder the woman might understand better. She looked to the nurse for help but the nurse just shrugged her shoulders and backed away.

Confusion grew.

“Passed? What do you mean, passed?” the elderly woman asked.

“He’s dead,” Val finally shouted and then placed her hand over her mouth in repentance for saying such a blatant and insensitive thing. “He died,” she added quickly with a more sympathetic manner, but the damage was done. Everyone had been trying to treat the old woman like a coddled child being told of the death of a pet. Reality was out in the open now.

“Dead?” The woman turned her head and took the statement in. There was a moment of silence and everything seemed to move in slow motion, as Val prepared for her to break down. Howie moved towards her, ready to intercept.

Then the unexpected happened. The lady yelled, “I knew it! He was too quiet! Didn’t bother me all day. It was the first time in two years he didn’t bother me about something. I got to watch all of my shows today without one interruption. I was going to check on him after Dr. Oz but Ginny showed up before it was over.” The woman pointed at the nurse when she said Ginny.

“I’m not Ginny,” the nurse said. “Ginny’s her regular nurse, I’m Susan.” Susan thumbed through her notes. “From what I have in my file, her niece Helen visits regularly. Her phone number is listed in the file. I’ll give her a call. This lady shouldn’t stay here alone.”