Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Bridger
ME
Hey, Mom. I sent you an email earlier today from Loren and me with a pic of our marriage license attached, but I didn’t hear back. You’re usually quick to respond, so I figured I’d text to make sure you saw.
MARGARET
I didn’t think a reply was necessary. After all, you didn’t want me to meet your bride-to-be when I made the suggestion. What is it you would like me to say?
ME
How about congratulations.
MARGARET
Congratulations. I hope you know what you’re doing, marrying this woman.
ME
Thanks. And I’m not marrying “this woman.” I’m marrying Loren.
MARGARET
Interesting spelling.
ME
Loren is her mother's maiden name. Pretty, right?
MARGARET
I prefer the traditional Lauren. But that’s just me being old-fashioned again.
ME
Well, I’m sorry for thinking you might be more interested in my wedding plans.
MARGARET
I’m your mother. Of course I am interested. When will these blessed nuptials be taking place? Sometime before your birthday, I trust.
ME
Pun intended?
MARGARET
You decide.
ME
We’re getting married tomorrow afternoon.
MARGARET
That’s very soon.
ME
That’s how much I love her.
MARGARET
Loren? Or the grumpy cat?
ME
Ha ha.
MARGARET
You should visit more often. I’m quite funny, you know. But if you and Loren are trying to deceive me, I will learn of it. And I won’t see any humor in the situation.
ME
Marrying Rosalind would’ve been the lie.
MARGARET
Not if you’d wed her with your eyes wide open. Money is a powerful motivator, and from what I’ve learned, your future wife has little of it. Rosalind, on the other hand, has only the best intentions for both the Adams and Barrington families.
ME
Believe me, Loren’s intentions are pure. Family means everything to her.
MARGARET
Devotion to family? My, my. How admirable.
Loren
ME
Hey, Noah. I was wondering if you could recommend a good residential contact over at Havenwood. I’ve been thinking my dad would do really well in their memory care wing, but I’m not sure how easy it is to get a spot. Any advice would be so appreciated.
NOAH
Hey, Loren! I agree Harlan would do great at Havenwood, but you’re right about the place being in high demand.
Especially the regular rooms. There’s a pretty long wait list unless you can afford a private villa.
Those are out of budget for a lot of folks.
Sorry if that’s rude … but I don’t want to get your hopes up if finances are tight.
ME
As it turns out, I have someone willing to help out with that. My friend Bridger. You met him.
NOAH
Ahhh. Okay, great. Let me see what I can find out. I think your best bet will be talking to Joanna Parker. I’ll send you her direct email.
ME
You’re amazing. TYSM! I know this all probably seems out of the blue, but my dad loves you, and I’d love for you to still be able to work with him.
NOAH
Same. I’ll get back to you ASAP.
To: jparker@
From: lorencaneteaches@
Re: Memory Care Placement for Harlan Cane
Dear Ms. Parker,
Noah Stadler told me he just spoke to you regarding my father, Harlan Cane. I apologize if my inquiries (or his on my behalf) feel pushy, but I’m in somewhat of a rush.
Here’s a little background for you.
Until his retirement, my dad worked for the Mountain Valley school district, first as a social studies teacher and later as assistant principal and then principal at Vista Middle School.
I’m sharing this information because I hope my dad’s long-standing service to the community will help me in my goal of securing a space for him there at Havenwood, sooner rather than later.
You see, we lost my mother a few years ago.
She worked at Vista, too, as a guidance counselor.
And since her passing, my dad’s decline from FTD has progressed more rapidly.
A part of me feels like he was holding on for her, although that diagnosis is hardly scientific.
Just the gut feeling of a daughter who wants the best for her father.
I apologize if this is oversharing, but Noah says you’re the kind of person who understands circumstances like these.
If you could please let me know whether you’d have any openings for my father, I’d be beyond grateful.
Noah said a private villa would be more likely, as there is less of a waitlist.
Although my family is prepared to take on the expense, I realize that access to this level of care isn’t available to everyone, and I don’t take that fact lightly.
To that end, I’d like to talk to somebody at some point (maybe you?) about potentially supporting other residents who may not have the same means. Like a scholarship situation?
I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I may be in a position to offer extra funding and donations to Havenwood in the future. Either way, I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Best,
Loren E. Cane