“Nora!You didn’t have to do this,” Edith said, though her face lit up.She was a tiny woman with snow-white hair and bright blue eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses.
“I thought you might want a little break from cafeteria food.”Nora set the casserole in a small refrigerator.“This is Sam Prescott, my neighbor.And you remember Precious.”
Precious, recognizing a friend, trotted over for ear scratches.Arlo, less confident, stayed close to Sam but wagged his tail hopefully.
“What a sweet little dog,” Edith crooned.“Come here, honey.”
Arlo needed no further invitation.
They chatted for a few minutes about Edith’s recovery and the facility’s food (which Edith insisted wasn’t terrible).Then Sam, trying to sound casual, said, “Nora mentioned one of my book club members volunteers here.Pamela Cross?”
“Oh, Pamela!Yes, she’s wonderful,” Edith said, brightening.“She helps in the library every week.She used to be a teacher, you know.She’s so patient with everyone.”
“A librarian,” Nora corrected gently.“Pamela was a librarian, not a teacher.”
Edith blinked, then her cheeks flushed pink.“Oh dear, was she?I could have sworn ...well, goodness.”She chuckled at herself.“I’m always getting her mixed up with that other volunteer.The one who does the art classes on Thursdays.She was a teacher.An art teacher, I think.”
“That’s Evelyn Holmes,” Nora supplied.“She teaches watercolors.”
“Yes!That’s who I was thinking of.”Edith shook her head, still smiling.“My memory isn’t what it used to be.But Pamela is lovely, whatever she used to do.She’s been coming here for years.She always brings in new novels for our library and helps organize everything.She really knows her way around books.”
Nora glanced at her watch with theatrical precision.“Well, we shouldn’t tire you out.Doctor’s orders were short visits only, correct?”
Edith rolled her eyes good-naturedly.“Yes, Nurse Nora.Thanks for the casserole and for the company.”
Back in the hallway, Nora turned to Sam.“The library is just down this corridor and to the left.I believe I’ll take Precious to see Mr.Holloway in the east wing.He does so enjoy Precious’s company.You’re welcome to come along.Or you might want to do something else?”
“I might just take Arlo to see if anyone in the library would like a visit.”
“Excellent idea.I’ll meet you back in the lobby in twenty minutes,” said Nora.
Sam followed the signs to the community room, which housed a good-sized library along several walls.Comfortable chairs were scattered around, and afternoon sunlight streamed through large windows.A few residents sat reading, and at the far end, a woman was organizing books on a rolling cart.It was Pamela Cross.
She wore slacks and a cardigan, her gray hair pulled back into a neat bun.Reading glasses hung from a chain around her neck.She was methodically sorting books, checking the spines and arranging them with the careful attention of someone who genuinely loved what she was doing.
Sam hadn’t planned exactly what she’d say.Taking a breath, she walked into the room with Arlo, who immediately drew attention from the two residents in the reading room.
Pamela glanced up.Her eyes met Sam’s, and for just a moment, something flickered across her face.Surprise?Wariness?Then, her expression smoothed into polite pleasantness.
“Sam, isn’t it?”she asked.“I’m surprised to see you here.”
Sam smiled at her.“I’m here with my neighbor, Nora.But I stepped away to take a little tour of the facility.”
Pamela said, “Oh, a reconnaissance mission?Are you thinking about having a parent move in?”
Sam quickly shook her head and then changed the subject.“No.But the library here is amazing.How long have you been volunteering?”
Pamela visibly relaxed as she talked for a few minutes about how the retirement home acquired books, how she managed the donations and organized the shelves, and other aspects of volunteering.
She paused as an elderly man walked up, greeting Pamela by name and asking for a book recommendation.
“Hi, Adam.Actually, there was a book that just came in that made me think of you.”
Sam watched as Pamela and Adam chatted about John Grisham books as Pamela found a novel for him to check out.
Once the old man had left the library, Pamela walked back over to Sam.“It looks like a busy place,” said Sam with a smile.
“It is.And often residents just like sitting in here, surrounded by books.It’s one of my favorite rooms.”
