Page 81 of Share with Me

“I want you to take me to see the director of Brunswick Senior Living Community.”

“Isn’t that where Hiram lives?”

Aunt Ella’s face changed. “He’s the one who told me about it. They have assisted-living facilities. I want to move there.”

“What about your house in Florida?”

“All my friends in West Palm are either dead or dying. I’m alone there.”

Oh.

“Would you take me? Hiram says they have fully furnished apartments. Three meals a day, snacks and games all day long. Friends everywhere.”

Aunt Ella might have had some memory lapses the week before, but she seemed fine now once her medications were regulated. As far as Brinley knew, Aunt Ella was fit enough to make her own decisions.

If she didn’t want to go home to West Palm, then who was to stop her? After all, Brinley herself wanted to stay on St. Simon’s Island. Something about the place. Something about the people.

Something about someone.

“Hiram said the director is in all week. Would you call them and make me an appointment for today?”

“Today? We’re kind of busy today, remember?”

“Busy? I like busy. What are we doing again?” Aunt Ella perked up and moved her elbows in a back and forth motion. “I’m ready to go.”

“Well, Yun invited us over to tea at two.”

“Yes! I’m staying through dinner.”

Brinley nodded. Yun had insisted that she and Aunt Ella could spend the evening together while Brinley went to the Oglethorpe Charity Dinner tonight.

An idea struck her. She would take the meals that Cara brought over this morning. Then Yun and Aunt Ella didn’t have to worry about foraging for food.

She glanced at her watch. “Have you had breakfast, Aunt Ella?”

“Cara fed me.”

“Pancakes?”

“And ice cream.”

“She didn’t feed you ice cream for breakfast.”

“Well, I helped myself.” Aunt Ella turned to leave. “I’m going to get ready now for tea.”

“That’s not until two, Aunt Ella. There’s lunch before that.”

“Are you taking me out to lunch?”

“Cara brought us some roast beef. I’ll make you a sandwich.”

“Thank you. You’re so good to me, Brin. Willard would be so proud of how you turned out.”

Brinley couldn’t speak.

If only Grandpa Brooks were here.

All she had left now were memories of what once was.

The Brooks Christmas traditions were slowly falling apart. They might have already fallen apart with her parents in Paris and Dillon in Atlanta. Brinley felt alone, and yet, here with Aunt Ella, she felt obligated to keep up the holiday spirit and retain whatever remnants of Christmas they had. Even if it were just the two of them left in town, they were still Brooks. And they could have their Brooks family Christmas.

So there.

“Is Cara still here?” Brinley locked step with Aunt Ella.

“She left. I sent her away. I told her to go home to her family.”

Family.

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