“It’s so nice to meet you,” she says.

We shake hands, and for a moment I’m not sure what I should do or say.

“I’m Shelley,” the woman says. “We’ve been waiting for you.”

Mike drops the bag he’s carrying. “There’s more stuff in the car,” he says.

The tall woman, Shelley, looks at him. “Mike, right? Thank you so much for arranging everything.”

A large cat is circling Mike’s feet. He shoos it away.

“I sent you all the paperwork. We’re good, right?”

“Yes, yes, everything’s all set.”

“Is there anything else you’re going to need from me?”

“No, we’ll be just fine.”

As she says this, a young man appears, walking silently down the same staircase she came down. He’s skinny, almost gaunt, shorter than her, and dressed in a white top and bottoms like a hospital worker.

“Jack will get the rest of her things from the car,” she says.

With a subtle nod, Jack enters a code on a keypad by the door and heads out to the car, leaving the door propped open behind him. Mike lowers his voice, speaking more to the woman, but I can hear him.

“I feel bad about her fall, but I’m not responsible for watching her twenty-four/seven. I got a lot going on there. The plan was to bring her here when it was too much. That’s what I’ve done. I’m just glad nothing worse happened.”

The woman smiles again.

“You did the right thing,” she says. “She’s in the best spot for her now. You’re welcome to visit as often as you’d like.”

Shelley, still smiling, steps forward, and shakes Mike’s hand. Her hands are elegant, strong-looking. They’re the hands of a much younger woman than me. They’re lovely. I can’t help but stare at them. Mike turns back to me from the open doorway.

“Okay. See you later, then, Penny.”

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“I have to go back to work. You get to stay here.”

“Why are you doing this?”

He doesn’t respond, and I can sense his relief of being rid of one nuisance.

Shelley waits until Mike’s back inside his car and the engine is going before she turns to look down at me, offering an arm.

“Let’s go, my dear,” she says. “I’ll show you to your room.”

Shelley leads me down the narrow hardwood hallway. The violin moans, slightly louder than it was from the foyer.

“That’s Pete,” she says. “You’ll get to meet him. He’s been here the longest. Doesn’t talk much anymore, but still loves to play.”

We pass a large window. I step toward it.

All I can see are trees and sky. Trees as far as the eye can see. The bare branches sway gently in the wind as if waving.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” she says. “I’ve always loved nature. It’s so peaceful here in the forest.”

She takes a step closer.

“Because of the surrounding terrain,” she continues, “the hills and steep bluffs, we don’t permit the residents to go outside unaccompanied. It’s too dangerous. But the views from inside are spectacular.”