She glances up toward the ceiling, and when she does, her legs give out from under her. She must sit down. She’s seeing it for the first time. My actual work. All that I’ve done. A massive mural painted on the ceiling of my room that stretches into the bathroom and the hallway to the common room. Its scale is immense. Unthinkable. I can’t say how long it’s taken me.

It will spread to them. All of them. To Ruth and Pete. Hilbert. It will spread to Jack. And to Shelley.

I hope she feels something. I hope it comforts her.

My freshly painted red nails press each button on the keypad at the Six Cedars entrance.

6—7—8—8—7 or O—R—T—U—S.

Numbers and letters.

The door clicks and opens.

I’m nervous; I’m afraid. It’s so cold.

I look back once. Then I go. I step outside.

I’m walking barefoot, wearing only my nightgown as I follow a stone path into the trees, heading toward the dense forest. It’s snowy, but I don’t feel the bite of cold. The ground is steep and harsh. My feet are pale. I have makeup on. For the opening.

I hear the ringing of an alarm. I see the cat sitting beside a small tree. I walk over, bend down, and scratch behind its ears. Suddenly, everything goes completely quiet, as if I’m wearing the noise-canceling headphones.

But I’m not. I’m not wearing any headphones.

The quiet is everywhere, around and inside of me.

I continue walking amid the trees until I reach the edge of the forest where the terrain has eroded, until I’m standing atop a steep cliff. It’s so high. I love the light at this time of the morning. It never lasts long.

I move cautiously toward the edge. Butterflies fill my stomach. I peer over but can’t see anything. I feel the air, the wind. For a moment everything is still. I close my eyes. I feel myself rise off the ground, fall through the air. I’m hurtling at great speed, or maybe, for a moment, I’m floating.

In her ninety-second year, Penny passed peacefully at Six Cedars Residence surrounded by her caring staff. She leaves behind her stunning art collection and all of her friends at the residence. Over the years, the staff and residents at Six Cedars loved Penny like family. A visitation was held at the residence, followed by a celebration of her life. Penny will be dearly missed.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My grandma moved into a long term care facility the year she turned one hundred. We spent a lot of time there with her, where she lived for almost two years, until she passed away. I want to thank all PSW’s, nurses, staff, volunteers, and all who work and help at long term care facilities. Thank you.

Scout Press Reader’s Guide

We Spread

Iain Reid

This reading group guide for We Spread includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.