Now it made sense. Her mom could be a lot to manage, and it was only thanks to her dad’s esteemed reputation (and financial contributions) to the residence that they were even allowing her to stay. Deven nodded, easily reading the insinuation in Betty’s generic smile: Get Iris under control or they were going to kick her ass out, relationship be dammed. Of course, they couldn’t let one challenging resident potentially impair their superior ratings.

“I understand,” Deven said, stepping away from the desk. “Thank you so much for letting me know.”

“And make sure to tell that sister of yours about the Elder Enrichment activities so she can join us,” Betty added with a much lighter spirit.

Just like that, her words hit Deven with such force she felt momentarily disoriented. It was like a temporary paralysis, a shocking and bitterly painful reminder of that morning. Her therapist had been correct. When someone dies, they don’t die once. They die over and over again. And that cyclical anguish was crippling.

Betty must’ve sensed something was wrong because her face had creased in motherly concern. Deven didn’t speak as she hurried off to the sweeping grand staircase. Taking the steps as opposed to the elevator would buy her a little more time anyway. Maybe then she could decide how to broach the subject about Kennedy. But to say it out loud meant Deven would have to acknowledge the tragedy and acknowledging it made it too real. And her mother would need—no, deserve answers. Answers she didn’t even have yet.

Deven paused at room 213 and took a breath. Then, with as much strength as she could muster, she lifted a fist and knocked.

There was shuffling inside before the door opened wide and Jan filled the doorway, donning her usual burgundy scrubs with the facility logo on the breast pocket. “Hey Deven,” she greeted, stepping to the side to let her enter. “I didn’t know you were visiting today.”

“Well, they called and told me they needed a little reinforcement,” Deven teased. “I figured you must’ve been off because I already knew it wasn’t anything you couldn’t handle.”

Jan laughed but it was clear she was flattered at the compliment. “I was supposed to go out of town to visit my grandbaby, but we changed it to next week instead.” She gestured to the room. “I’ll let you sit with her for a little bit, and I can come back later.”

Deven thanked the nurse and waited until she left before heading through the tiny kitchenette to the combined living and bedroom area. The TV was mounted over an electric fireplace, the LED flame adding a cozy flair. Applause echoed from one of her mother’s favorite shows, Family Feud, as contestants spat out absurd answers to overzealous cheers.