Shelley leads me to the chair, easing me down. It’s as if she thinks I can’t walk on my own, that I’m so delicate I might fall again. I might have a bad knee and sore head, but I don’t need this kind of attention. I’m not decrepit.

This chair is nothing like my old one. It must be brand-new. I might be the first person to ever sit in it. I sink into it. I feel like I’m being hugged. The skinny fellow in white, Jack, enters the room, carrying a box of my things.

I watch as he starts unpacking some clothes, putting them into the dresser and closet. How did they get packed? Was it Mike? I didn’t do that. I don’t remember packing anything. But my clothes are here. I look around the room again. I’ve never lived anywhere this nice before. Not in my whole life.

Jack leaves, and again, I’m alone with her.

“I didn’t ask for this,” I say. “I can look after myself.”

“I know,” she says.

“Then why am I here?”

“You picked us, Penny. With your husband,” she says.

“We were never married.”

“You lived with a man.”

“I did, yes, for many years.”

“It was his last gift to you. He was in contact with us and arranged it all. He wanted to make sure you’d have nothing to worry about. The two of you had foresight that many don’t have.”

“Did he pay for all this?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. Six Cedars isn’t one of those places that’s looking to turn a big profit. We do this because we love taking caring of our elders. It’s a privilege.”

“Why didn’t Mike remind me?”

“Mike’s been keeping us up to date on how you’ve been doing.”

“Why would we pick here? Why not somewhere closer to the city?”

“Because we’re a small and peaceful facility. You love nature, don’t you?”

“I do. I used to walk to the park near my apartment.”

“Then it was a good choice. You’ll love it here. I live here, too, right upstairs. So does Jack. We’re all here together.”

Jack walks back in with two of my bags.

“Thanks, Jack,” she says to him. “I’m going to get the others together for the meeting, if you can finish here with Penny.”

He nods as Shelley walks out.

“See you soon, Penny,” she says.

I watch him lug in more stuff, arms full, including the box of my canvases. He puts them in my closet. He takes a moment to look at some of the paintings, pausing on a couple in particular.

“These are really good. It’s nice to see some of your work,” he says. “If you need anything at all let me know.”

I’m in a new room with new furniture and new smells with a young man I’ve never met until ten minutes ago. What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to say?

“I don’t remember picking this place,” I say.