Inspecting the Facilities
"I'm very impressed with your facility, Ms. Kettler." Tanner said as the director walked him through the main home and the dining area.
"I am positive your mother will feel very safe and happy here. We have so many activities and there are many single gentlemen and ladies in the housing area to the west of the house. The eastern side is where many of our married couples live."
Tanner blushed. "Well I don't know about that. Mum has only been widowed eight months and she was very devoted to dad. She enjoys needlework but her vision is not what it once was. She was always a home body staying on top of all our activities. Alway busy coordinating everything, sports...and other activities."
"I'm sure she's a wonderful mother and can still do things and accept visitors whenever she wants. Her flat will be a three bedroom incase you and your...wife wish to stay tonight until she gets settled."
"Oh, Eve is my girlfriend. My wife divorced me two years ago and I hope to get the kids in the next little while to bring to see M's new flat. There are so many gardens to enjoy."
"You call you mother Em? That's sweet Mr. Tanner."
"Short for Emma...she prefers to be called Em."
"I do hope Emma will find her place here, there is a clique of woman that run this place...you would think they were 16...I will watch and make sure they are nice and accepting of Emma."
Tanner frowned. "They won't try to bully her will they?"
Ms. Kettler sighed. "I hope not, it's honestly the only problem we get here. The interpersonal ones...like I said it's as if they are all 16 fighting over the same things...clothes, men, whose children love them more. We do keep an eye on the new ones to make sure they are not feeling left out. There are some very nice occupants who live here. It does seem like the Eastern and Western divide though. The married or co-habitating couples stick to their own side it seems and the singles...they spend far more time socializing."
"M's very good at socializing and making new friends...I'm sure she will be fine." The two of them looked out the window and watched as M wandered around the grounds with Eve.
They walked out the french doors to meet them on the terrace. "Mum, you're going to love it here. Eve and I need to leave to go back to the city now, but I will be back soon to see you."
"That's good love. You two go...I will be fine on my own." M said as she kissed Tanner's cheek. She then hugged Eve as they left her with Ms. Kettler.
"Join me for tea Mrs. Tanner."
"Please call me M."
"Alright Em. I'm Peggy. I am sure you will get on fine here."
"It's a beautiful place. I do hope I will fit in."
"There are several social clubs and I will introduce you around the common area now. There are usually some gathered for games before dinner."
They enjoyed their tea before Peggy took M into the common area and introduced her around. Peggy left and M watched some other residents play cards.
M met several men and women played cards, enjoying the afternoon. She found the library to get something to read. Actually, she went to find a nice quiet place to read, as she cased the building. She wore a dark blue floral dress and white cardigan to blend in to this new environment.
What a daunting thing, being uprooted and put in a home. M has had a hard time imagining how these people managed...the single ones anyway. Now that she had unfortunately been given a taste of what it was like being a widow. Everything is too calm and quiet...it would take an age to get use to it...not that she planned on staying that long.
M perused the library and picked a trashy novel. Something that women in this place would likely read. She wandered around the building and smiled at everyone. M took inventory of the main house. It was far too easy for her to seem lost and explore the medical area, offices, kitchens and staff rooms. Within a couple of hours M had the floor plan committed to memory as the bell sounded for dinner.
Residents have a choice of dining in their own flats or in the common area. All the singles she had been assured, dine together. They placed M at a table with three men and two other women. They introduced themselves to M as they enjoyed a nice meal.
A man named Jarrod sat to M's right and grabbed her knee under the table. M almost spit out her water as a result.
So that was the way it goes here. She was warned, but nothing really prepared you for how out front these people are about their interest in you sexually. Jacques is charming and tried to catch her eye across the table. David is quiet, but it seemed as though he was under the control of Helen, beside him. Doris rounded out the table and she seemed nice. M's observation skills were put to the test, but she thinks that David actually liked Doris...but Helen was holding on tight. M wondered how they would all receive her as the new girl. She planned on making sure that she was not seen as a threat to any of the other women.
Rocking the boat and disrupting the lives of retirees was not the reason that she was here. One thing was certain; it was going to be a very interesting time living here, under the radar.