“This isn’t about Mark,” Julia told him, choosing not to elaborate. “I repeat, do you still want me to move to Manor Born?”
Her son hadn’t asked any more questions. “I’ll call Carole Reid and set up an appointment for this afternoon.”
And so, here they are, in the elevator on their way to view the model suite. Is she seriously considering moving?
Why now?
Is Mark the reason for her sudden change of heart?
The truth is that it’s not so sudden. She’s been thinking about the move ever since her last visit. She’d been far more impressed with Manor Born than she’d let on. It had everything: a gym, multiple pools, a small theater, a drama club, regular guest speakers.
And, of course, there’s Mark.
The fact that her grandson took off during the night without so much as a word of goodbye, that he made off with a handful of her jewelry and most of the cash in her wallet, that he hasn’t so much as phoned in the four days since he left, that he betrayed the trust she had in him, caused her to doubt every instinct she’s ever had, and made her feel every one of her eighty-four years, yes, that’s certainly part of it.
But the larger part, the main reason that Julia is considering the move, is that having her grandson around all the time has reminded her how lonely she’d been without him. The fact that he’s run off has only served to underline how lonely she’d be again.
And, much as she hates to admit it, her son is right about the house being too much for her to care for on her own. All those damn stairs. Her knees are always aching; her hips constantly sore. What if she were to fall? Or faint? She’s already spent two days in the hospital. She has no desire to spend any more.
“Would I have this view?” Julia asks, as they enter the one-bedroom suite.
“Identical,” Carole Reid says. “Just one floor down. But not all the apartments overlook this part of the grounds, so it would be a question of whether that particular unit is still available when you come to a decision.”
“We’ll take it,” Julia says.
“Well, that’s wonderful,” Carole says. “I’m delighted.”
“You’re sure?” Norman asks his mother.
“Absolutely.”
“Well, then. If you’ll just come back to my office, we can get started on the paperwork.”
“Wow,” Norman says, clearly relieved. “You’re just full of surprises today.”
“Idohave some conditions,” Julia says.
“Conditions?”
Julia pats his hand. “We’ll talk about it on the drive home.”
—
She sees him even before they turn onto the small cul-de-sac.
He’s sitting on her front stoop, his straggly hair pulled into a neat ponytail, his long legs stretched out in front of him, a white plastic bag at his side.
“Well, what do you know,” Norman says, pulling his Tesla into the driveway as Mark jumps to his feet. “Looks like you were right.”
Julia is smiling too hard to reply.
“You still have to keep your end of the bargain,” Norman says. “We signed a lease….”
Julia nods. “If you could just open the goddamn doors…”
Norman presses a button and the doors lift up and out.
“Nana!” Mark says, rushing to her side and sweeping her into an almost suffocating embrace.