Page 66 of Love Limits

The nurse manager, Brenda, caught Ash before they’d even crossed the room. She was stern and efficient, but still compassionate. They had a lot of respect for her. They weren’t looking forward to whatever she was going to say, though.

“Hey Ash. Do you have a moment?” She was always good at turning toward them to speak and enunciating clearly. “You might want to get out your phone.”

They pulled it out, opening the Live Transcribe app and holding it near her face so they could see her and the text simultaneously.

“I have some bad news. Mrs. Grayson passed away last night.”

“Mrs. Grayson? She was so young!”

In their retirement community, seventy was only a step past infancy. She’d lived in one of the independent apartments, so usually Ash wouldn’t have seen her, but she volunteered in Ash’s wing with the residents who needed full-time care. She’d come in sometimes to sing and play her guitar or lead an art project.

Ash loved helping the residents get involved in whatever she was doing, and they’d even planned some programs together. She often wandered in on her own schedule, but just seeing her always made Ash’s day better.

“She was. It sounds like it was a peaceful transition. We heard yesterday.”

Ash nodded. “I’ll miss her. She was so amazing with everyone here.” She’d dressed like a hippy and had the energy of someone half her age. It was hard to believe she was gone.

Even though Ash had been here long enough to say goodbye to a lot of residents, it never got easier. Each of them had their own stories and gifts. Even the ones who were angry or difficult, the ones who struggled with dementia or their loss of control over their bodies and choices, were still important.

Mrs. Grayson had been really special, though. And so vibrant.

“When’s her service?”

“It hasn’t been scheduled yet.”

“I’ll be there.” Ash knew it would appear on the television screens near the front door and the elevators anyway. They didn’t go to most of the services, but they would be there for this one.

Brenda looked like she wanted to say something else, and there was a longer pause. “I also wanted to let you know that Mr. Isling is in the hospital.”

They could read the words on her lips before they saw them, but they read the text twice, hoping it would change. Their heart was racing, but they tried not to let it show. It could be anything. He could be fine, now. “How is he?”

“He was in a diabetic coma when he left. But with his heart condition, I think they’re still worried about the outcome.”

Ash just stood there, stunned. They knew it could happen to anyone at any time. But it wasn’t fair that it was Mr. Isling. And he’d probably done it to himself, skipping a meal or eating a dinner roll with jam instead of a balanced meal. The way he antagonized some of the other nurses probably didn’t help, because they often left him till last on the schedule.

God, Ash had been looking forward to seeing him today. They wanted to mention that they’d found someone they were maybe excited about going on a date with. They wanted Mr. Isling to tease them about Zhong. They wanted to hear every one of those corny old-people lines.

They’d also wanted to check up on his toes, even though the doctor had already come by. Mr. Isling’s skin was sensitive, and he needed lotion. Maybe a different lotion. Maybe if Ash had just…

Ash cut off that line of thinking. They’d always given him the best care and informed the doctor of their concerns. They had to trust that the hospital would do a good job.

“Which hospital?”

“Presbyterian.”

“Maybe I’ll head over after work.”

Brenda put a comforting hand on their arm. “I know you two were close. If you need a moment...”

Ash was about to say no, but actually they did need it. “Could I make a call?”

“Sure.”

Ash ducked around the corner. Mrs. Grayson. And Mr. Isling. On the same day. They were two such beautiful humans.

With shaking hands, they propped up their phone and FaceTimed Zhong. It seemed to ring forever, but eventually he picked up, looking sleep tousled and entirely too gorgeous. He was smiling though, happy to hear from Ash even if the buzzing beneath his pillow had no doubt woken him up.

His cheerful visage quickly changed to concern. Are you OK?