Eileen nodded. “Of course.” If this was any other run-of-the-mill retirement home, she would be suspicious of being kept from seeing her mother right away. Like maybe the woman was spending most of her days alone, in filth and unchanged soiled bed linens, incapable of advocating for herself, due to the fact that she spent half her waking time believing it was 1995. But the sheer opulence of the place, more like a five-star hotel than geriatric home, made Eileen believe it was highly unlikely. After all, Clare wasn’t paying fifteen grand a month for their mother to endure daily abuse and neglect. One might assume that in addition to the miles of granite, towering displays of fresh flowers, and tasteful artwork, the community was also able to hire top-notch nurses and caring professionals.

“I’m sorry this is so unexpected,” Eileen added, as if she needed to apologize for her sister’s untimely and inconvenient suicide. “We’ve just had…” She took a breath and considered how to word it. “Some unexpected family news.”

“I see. Should we have one of our family therapists on hand? To assist with Ms. Kaczanowski with any necessary processing?”

Eileen’s mouth fell open slightly. “Processing?”

“Is the news likely to cause Ms. Kaczanowski emotional distress?”

“Oh, well, yes. But I…I don’t think that will be necessary.”

The woman’s mouth flatlined. “Very well. Please let me know as soon as possible should you change your mind. We do advise having a therapist present. Responses, particularly for our patients with Alzheimer’s, can be unpredictable and difficult for family members to navigate alone.”

Eileen could think of no good way to explain, politely, her mother’s long-held views and suspicions about mental-health workers. Perhaps simply letting her know that Ms. Kaczanowski didn’t even like her two daughters speaking with the high school counselor when they needed a schedule change, because only walking into the office could potentially land them on a Freudian couch, their minds cracked like fragile eggs, tears spilling down without end for weeks.

Eileen could still remember Ella’s instructions, “If they ask you any personal questions, you just tell them it’s none of their damn business. You hear me?” Her mother came from a long line of pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstrappers, which suddenly made Eileen wonder if that maybe had something to do with Clare’s…

“Thank you,” Eileen said. “I will.”

The woman smiled and nodded. “Please make yourself comfortable in the family lounge area. It’s across the foyer, second door on the left.” She lifted her hand palm up and used it to direct Eileen’s attention to the other side of the room. “I will notify you when your mother’s session is complete and she is ready for visitors.”