Deven stopped in mid-stride, suddenly angry at the intrusive question. So that was why the old woman had asked to be escorted back to her room. To be nosey. And for what? For their family business to be the highlight of nursing home gossip? And here she was thinking this lady was her mother’s friend.

“Look Ms. Debra,” Deven said through clenched teeth. “That is really nobody’s business but ours. Not trying to be disrespectful.”

Debra’s eyes widened in shock. “Oh no dear, I didn’t mean anything by it,” she insisted. Her tone wavered then, a feeble attempt to triage the situation. “It’s just that, well nobody thought we would see Kennedy again. And well, here she is, you know. It’s just, I don’t understand—”

“What is there to understand? That’s my sister and my mom’s youngest daughter. They are rebuilding their relationship. There’s nothing for anybody to rationalize, or worry about, but us.” Seething, Deven made an absent gesture down the hall that stretched in front of them. “I think you can find your room from here. Nice to see you again, Ms. Debra.” Sure, it was a lie. It was absolutely not nice to see the nosey neighbor again. But it was the best she could do to lessen the sting of her abrupt exit.

Deven turned then and headed back in the opposite direction. Back towards her family, back to safety. Ms. Debra’s probing had pissed her off, but she didn’t know which was worse, her questions or her insinuation.

Back in the activity room, Deven saw her mom and sister had moved to a nearby couch. Both of their heads were bent together as Kennedy’s lips moved near Iris’s ear as if she were sharing a secret. Deven didn’t know why the sight intensified her agitation. No doubt, thanks to Ms. Debra.

As soon as she got close, the women leaned back from each other, and Kennedy rested a hand on Iris’s knee. She looked up with an innocence that, for the briefest of moments, reminded Deven of the sneaky little sister she recalled growing up. And then, just as quickly, that look was gone.

Because they were sitting so close, Deven resorted to leaning on the arm of the couch next to her mom. “Everything okay?” she asked.

Iris smiled. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” She paused blinking through phases of confusion. “What’s your name again, sweetie?”

Deven’s spirits fell though she tried to keep her inflection light. “It’s me, Mommy. Deven.”

Iris nodded though her face remained impassive. “Do you know my daughter, Kennedy?”

Deven sighed and looked to her sister. “It’s like a light switch sometimes,” she murmured.

“Yeah, I really hate that for her.”

Deven paused a beat, then asked the question that had been weighing thick like a blanket. “Hey, why did she ask about your dad?”