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“That sounds nice,” I said, thinking about how much some of the people here might have enjoyed such attention.
“She told us we could still be sexy at our age.”
“And she made it out alive?” Char snorted. “Are you getting docile at your age?”
I glared at Char for the rude comment before looking back at Claire. “Is that bad?”
“Let women in their twenties be sexy, but when does it end? I’m ninety-six, sweetie, and I don’t need to be sexy anymore. Let me age and turn into the scary creature in the fog that nature intends me to be, now. I have no need for things like that—I’m so much more than that.” She looked at me then, her green eyes bright and sharp. For a moment, she didn’t look like a frail old woman, but instead had a strength that astounded me, a mind that one should be wary of.
In fact, she looked like the fog monster she had just wanted to be.
“You’re still young enough to not realize just how much you’re worth, how much strength you have inside you. The world will tell you to be pretty, to be quiet and biddable and sweet, but you are so much more than that. Don’t wait until you’re my age to recognize that.”
It was strange to speak to her, especially because I hadn’t had parental figures in so long—especially a mother. I had no grandparents, didn’t have aunts to step in and take that role. Even Nem hadn’t been part of my life for most of my years growing up.
Was that what drew me to Claire?
Maybe a person never grows out of wanting a mom, huh?
“Char,” called out a man as he walked over, his hand wrapped tightly around a cane.
“Hello, Frank,” Char said, and the ease with which he seemed to know everyone’s names surprised me. It suggested he spent enough time here to catalog and recall so much. “How’s it going?”
“It’s going okay.”
“You’re sweating a lot. Are you not feeling well?” Char was on his feet a moment later, a hand on the man’s elbow to steady him.
“I’m okay,” Frank assured him, patting the hand gently.
“Are you taking your medicine?” Char asked, his voice low.
Frank sighed, weariness in his expression. “Not much of it,” he admitted.
“Why not?”
“You know what bureaucracies are like. Doctor says I need thirty pills a month, but insurance says they’ll only cover fifteen.” Frank shrugged as though it was no big deal. “So it’s fine—I’m just rationing ’em.”
Char’s eyes darkened, though his smile never faded in the least. “Come on, let me walk you back to your room and I’ll take a look at your paperwork, huh?”
Frank tried to say no, to tell Char not to worry, but Char was an expert at getting people do to as he wanted. It only took another minute before the two walked off, with Char keeping the older man steady as they went.
I started to rise, to follow, but Claire’s voice stopped me. “Let them go—they’ll be fine. Why don’t you stay and keep me company?”
I couldn’t find a good way or reason to say no, so I lowered myself back into the seat.
“This is the first time Char’s brought anyone with him. So, let me guess, you’ve known Char about…” Claire paused and tapped one of her short nails against her wrinkled lips. “A month?”
“How did you know?”
“I’ve known Char for quite a few years now, but about a month ago, he came in here with the strangest expression. Since then, he’s seemed different. One of the truths I’ve learned in my life is that nothing unsettles a man’s life quite like the appearance of a woman.” Claire laughed at her own words, the sound lyrical and open. “And now, after meeting you? You seem like just the sort of girl who could put our Char on the defensive.”
“I don’t know about that,” I muttered. “He’s hard to understand.”
“Of course he is. That man wears a fake smile the way police wear bulletproof vests. He isn’t for the weak or the faint of heart, that’s for sure.” She spoke about him with the affection usually reserved for one’s grandchildren, which made me curious.
“How do you know him?”
Claire shifted, wincing as though even that movement aggravated her joints. Still, she didn’t complain, continuing on. “I met him what must have been eight years ago, now, so no, he isn’t my grandchild.” Her smile suggested she knew what I was asking without me having to say it out loud.
