Page 62 of Wish You Faith

“I can’t have anyone else stay with me.” Mom continued to chatter away about roommates and division of labor and whatever popped into her mind.

Rosie was happy that Mom was active and alive and well. What else could she wish for?

Arriving at SSLR with her permanent parking pass, Rosie parked their car outside the main building. She had been here many times, dropping off and picking up Mom from her community activities.

“That is, if you’re not living with me.” Mom unfastened her seat belt and got out of the car.

Rosie also did the same from the driver’s side. “Why would I not be living with you, Mom?”

“When you get married, sweetie.” Mom made the “Are you silly?” look.

“We’ll still move in with you.”

“I don’t think so.” Mom’s voice was firm. “I’m not cleaning up after you.”

They both laughed.

As a caregiver, Rosie would have to pay a bit extra each month for food and utilities if they moved into any SSLR apartment or condo. Mom insisted that they dip into their savings for that if Rosie’s income at Christmastown didn’t cover it. Mom said that was why Dad had left them money.

Rosie wasn’t sure how long she’d be Mom’s caregiver. There would come a time when Mom’s needs would exceed her ability. At that time, Mom would move to the assisted living building on the SSLR property. Mom would get around-the-clock care from trained staff and nurses. There would be a doctor on-call if she needed help in the middle of the night.

It would cost more, but Rosie thanked God that they owned their family home. They had paid it off with Dad’s life insurance money. No mortgages meant more money in the pocket for them. No car payments either. Rosie was happy to have been living debt free for the last year since they paid off all of Mom’s medical bills.

Roger had other things to do this morning, so he sent his able assistant, Algernon, to take them on a golf cart to the Founders Row, where Mom’s new home would be for the rest of her life. The morning temperature was in the upper fifties. It was a bit cloudy, but warm enough for both Rosie and Mom to wear a fleece jacket instead of wool.

“You’re fortunate to get this condo,” Algernon said. “You can get off the waiting list.”

The roar of the ocean grew louder as Algernon drove them past the Christmas garden that Christmastown had decorated the other night. Rosie could see the wrought iron benches where she and Evan had sat.

“Did we jump the queue?” Mom asked. “I don’t want to be ahead of people who have waited longer than I have.”

“It makes no difference, and no, you’re not jumping the queue. Rusty Cavanaugh’s will stipulated that only family and friends can rent it. As such, it has been empty for two years until now, since nobody wanted to live here.”

Rusty Cavanaugh?

Cavanaugh.

“Wait. Who?” Rosie knew it was too good to be true. She had suspected that Mom hadn’t been randomly selected to live on prestigious—but older—Founders Row.

“Rusty Cavanaugh. Do you know him?” Algernon asked casually.

Rosie shrugged but she knew she would soon have a conversation with Evan. It was patently obvious. Evan had said that his grandpa had lived on Tybee Island and passed away two years ago. The timing and location fit what Algernon had just told them.

A text from Lorenzo interrupted Rosie’s mental plan.

Lorenzo

Have you heard? HR fired Bellina this morning.

Rosie

Wow. Did they say why?

Lorenzo

I had to ask around. Remember the ball at Moss Tybee? How we were a shipment short?

Rosie

---