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“What do you think is going on?” he asked her. “Why is he here?”
“I think Poppy might be here.”
“So, what do we do?”
“Act like we belong here. I’ve actually been doing that my whole life,” she added with a weak smile tacked on.
They walked down the hall, passing by staff members. One stopped and asked if they needed help.
Montgomery said, “I was supposed to meet Christian Chilton here.”
“Oh, yes, he just came in. He’s with his grandfather.”
“That’s right. He said that Poppy was here now. I haven’t seen him in some time. Is he doing okay?”
The woman smiled sadly. “It’s not easy getting old. And Mr. Chilton is over eighty. He used to be in the assisted living part of this facility. But now he’s in our memory unit.”
“Oh, you mean . . . ?” said Montgomery.
“Yes, I’m afraid so. Would you like me to take you to them?”
“You know, I think we’ll just catch up with Christian when he’s done, if that’s okay. I didn’t know Poppy was . . . I’ll just let them have their visit.”
“All right, you can wait in the lobby.”
“Thanks again.”
Montgomery turned to Devine, her eyes teary. “God, I didn’t know that about Poppy. I just remember this wonderful old man who liked to play games with us.”
Thirty minutes later Christian Chilton appeared in the lobby. Devine noted he was wiping at his eyes.
When he saw Devine and Montgomery, he jerked back. “What are you doing here?”
“How’s Poppy?” asked Montgomery.
Chilton looked flustered. “He’s . . . he’s got Alzheimer’s.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that, Christian? I live here. I could have come and visited him.”
“He wouldn’t remember you. He doesn’t remember me.” He glanced at Devine. “And what are you doing here with her?”
“We’re friends, Christian, like you and me,” answered Montgomery.
Chilton stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced away.
“This place must be very expensive,” said Montgomery.
“Everything in New York is very expensive.”
Devine said, “You’ve come a long way in a very short period of time.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” barked Chilton.
“From family bankruptcy to mega bucks in six years?”
Chilton shot Montgomery a look. “You should keep your mouth shut, Michelle.”
“Is that why you did it? To pay for Poppy’s care? And to support your mom?”
