“This is where your mom is?” Annie whispered into Johnny’s ear. He nodded.

“Wow. This is the Ritz of nursing homes! I smell chlorine. Is there a pool here? Do you swim in it?”

“Annie, shhh. We’ll take the elevator up to mom’s room.”

The elevator was a mirrored contraption and yet another, smaller chandelier lit their way up to floor twenty. When they stepped out, glassed walls showed them the ocean water, the waves rocking in perfect rhythm on the beach below.

“Holy smokes! This must cost a fortune!” Annie couldn’t contain herself. Again, Johnny looked at her and put his right index finger to his lips. They walked down the thick-carpeted hallway. Annie’s feet felt like they were walking on an angel food cake. Spongy. Soft and comforting. Johnny tapped lightly on door twenty-one.

She heard a voice call, “Come in,” and Johnny slowly opened the door.

“Mama, Anaana. It’s me, Johnny. I brought a friend today. Do you remember Annie from up home?”

Johnny’s mom sat in a wheelchair and turned her head toward Annie. She looked confused, and then the recognition of who Annie was began to spread across her eyes.

She smiled and tapped at the chair next to her. “My girl. Have a seat. It’s always good to see someone from home. Here, sit. Johnny, go make us some tea.” Johnny looked at Annie and shrugged and headed off to the kitchen.

“Mrs. Cochrane, it’s so good to see you too. How have you been? How do you like living in these fancy digs?” Annie smiled and reached over to hold Mrs. Cochrane’s hand. She felt the dryness of it and the wrinkles that crackled along the edges of the ancient tan-coloured palm. Somehow, she felt like she was in the presence of her own mom. As though her mom’s spirit had entered the room with them.

“You were the naughty girl.” Mrs. Cochrane’s voice crackled with delight. Annie blushed and turned her face toward the ocean view.

“Yep. That was what everyone said.” Annie kept her eyes down toward the angel food cake carpet that had followed them into the suite.

“Hey, now, my girl,” Annie felt a light tap on her chin. “Look up here. That was years ago, and we all know how people up North run their mouths about everyone and everything. Now tell me, what are you doing here. Living so far from home. You like my Johnny and wanted to find a warmer place?”

“Partly. Bad stuff happened and I left. My boy is here too, and I guess I had no place else to run to, so I came here. And then I ran into Johnny a few weeks ago and asked him if I could come see you. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Mind! I’m happy for the company. Johnny always tries to be a good boy, and he put me into this high-falutin’ place. They call this castle a home for old people, but it’s more like a warehouse of death.” Mrs. Cochrane laughed. She had the laugh of a poker player who had just won the jackpot. It was infectious.