“What call?” I asked as I watched him pull up the app for video calls.
He didn’t answer me, but moments later, the screen flashed, and before me, on-screen, were Ms. Anderson and a number of other residents from Creekview.
“Reese!” she exclaimed. A few of the other residents beside her smiled and waved as well. “Oh my goodness. We’ve missed you,” Ms. Anderson said, looking at the others and nodding.
“I’ve missed you all too.” I wiped a tear from the corner of one eye, barely able to speak. “How are you?”
To answer my question, one of the employees stepped in and talked about the activities they all were up to.
“Dr. Pines is gone,” Ms. Anderson added. “That evil man. Did you hear what he did to that reporter?”
I nodded. “I did,” I murmured. “But you all are safe from him.”
“We thought he did something to you because we never saw you after that night he kicked you out.”
“I’m okay.” I held up my hands. “Completely fine. I was more worried about all of you.”
“We’re doing great. We have a new doctor,” Ms. Anderson explained. “And we heard that someone gave a lot of money to the home. The number of staff has doubled in size, and we have great volunteers here,” she gushed.
I peered over at Chael, who had a bright grin on his face. “You did this?”
He shrugged and didn’t answer. My heart nearly exploded in my chest. Ms. Anderson looked so happy, and while some of the other residents couldn’t respond, it was still great to see them and know they were being cared for.
“We were about to begin our afternoon chair aerobics,” one of the attendees said.
“Not without me,” I insisted.
“Will you lead us, Reese?” Ms. Anderson asked.
“I thought you’d never ask.” The attendee went over to one of the tables where a phone plugged into a speaker sat. Moments later, the song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” began playing. I clapped and started to perform, much to the delight of Ms. Anderson and the other residents.
In my peripheral, I saw Chael move the coffee table out of the way, allowing me the space to dance to the music. The residents began clapping and singing along. I danced and sang with my whole heart, happy to hear their laughter for the first time in months.
Before I knew what was happening, an entire hour had passed. We’d danced and sung to so many show tunes I felt as if I’d done one of those boot camp classes.
“We’re tired,” Ms. Anderson said as she sat back in her wheelchair. “It’s time for my nap.”
I laughed and waved to the attendees and residents while promising to visit them in person as soon as possible.
“Bring him with you,” Ms. Anderson said.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Chael standing right behind me.
“He’s handsome,” she continued. “I told you there was a man like him just waiting for you.”
I dipped my head, the butterflies in my stomach going wild. Chael wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“’Tis I who waited for her, Ms. Anderson,” he told her before kissing my cheek. “She was worth the wait.”
“Aww,” both Ms. Anderson and the two attendees swooned before the call cut out.
“Thank you.” I spun in his arms and hugged him tightly. “I missed them so much,” I mumbled into his chest.
“I know,” he said, stroking his arm up and down my back.
“How did you know?” I hadn’t mentioned how much I ached to see my friends at Creekview again. I had come to love being at the commune and among the pack, but I always wondered if Ms. Anderson and the others thought I abandoned them.
“You got yourself kidnapped and almost killed to go back to Texas to try to help those residents.It matters how we treat people who can’t do anything for us. Their lives are as important as anyone else’s.Those were the words you told me that day we had lunch.”
