Page 37 of Love's Bloom
Later, after introducing Sugar to the people at the Café and grabbing a cup of coffee, Misty headed home. She’d had Sugar for only one day but felt her horizons expanding with her presence. People she scarcely knew stopped to talk to her and pet the dog. Pro that she was, Sugar took the attention in stride.
At home, Misty showered and dressed for the day, then called The Woodlands to speak to Cassandra Overton to see about Sugar visiting her.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Overton isn’t able to talk to anyone. But I know she’d love to see her pet. Why don’t you come ahead with her dog? I’ll see that Ms. Overton is prepared. Just come to the front desk, and I’ll take you to see her.”
“Okay, I’ll do that,” Misty said, confused by the need for Sugar’s owner to be prepared. She put a leash on the dog, put her in her car, and drove to The Woodlands.
The handsome, one-story wooden building sat in a woodsy area outside of town and spread across land well-maintained by Graham Landscaping.
Sugar seemed to sense something exciting. When Misty parked the car and opened the door, Sugar jumped out of the backseat and tugged on her leash to get inside.
At the front desk, Misty explained who she was. A nurse emerged from the nearby office and introduced herself. “You’re here to see Ms. Overton, right?”
Misty nodded as Sugar wagged her tail.
“Ms. Overton is in the Memory Care Wing, which is why I wanted to accompany you for the visit. She has good days and bad days.”
“But she only recently came here,” said Misty, confused. “Unless someone else was taking care of the dog.”
“Her niece has been caring for both Ms. Overton and Sugar until recently, but she recognized that both needed more permanent help.”
“I see,” said Misty. “Will she recognize Sugar?”
The nurse smiled and glanced at Sugar. “I’m almost certain she will. Dogs make such an endearing impression on most of our patients. Let’s go see, shall we?”
Misty followed the nurse to a discreet hallway unseen from the reception area.
The nurse opened a heavy wooden door and led Misty and Sugar down another corridor to a private room.
Standing by the open doorway, the nurse called softly to Cassandra Overton. “Ms. Overton? We have some special guests here to see you.” The nurse waved Misty and Sugar inside.
In her excitement, Sugar tugged on her leash. Misty dropped it, allowing Sugar to go to her former owner. With tears in her eyes, Misty watched a woman who had been sitting statue-like come to life.
“Doggie!” Ms. Overton exclaimed, smiling.
Misty walked over to Ms. Overton and knelt beside her. “This is Sugar. Remember her?”
Light blue eyes studied her and then returned to Sugar, who’d laid her head in Ms. Overton’s lap. When she looked at Misty again, Ms. Overton’s eyes overflowed with tears. Seeming to understand who she was, Ms. Overton patted Sugar. “Good dog. Sweet as sugar.”
Sugar stretched her paws onto Ms. Overton’s lap and licked the tears off her cheeks.
Unable to stop tears from stinging her eyes, Misty took hold of Ms. Overton’s hand. “I promise to take care of Sugar.”
Ms. Overton turned to Misty, and for a moment, it was as if the older woman’s expression livened before the spirit behind it disappeared again.
Misty stood and picked up Sugar, who was softly whimpering. “It’s all right, Sugar, we’ll come back. Come with me.”
Blinded by tears, Misty set the dog down and led her away.
The nurse caught up with them. “Thank you for visiting her. I’m sure Ms. Overton enjoyed seeing her dog. Obviously, the two of them were close.”
“I’ll try to bring Sugar back to visit her again,” said Misty. “Sugar loved it too.”
They returned to the reception area.
Thinking of GG, Misty said to the woman manning the reception desk, “While I’m here, I’m wondering if I can visit with Ms. Wittner.”
“Of course. Do you know her room number?”
