"I'm Melody Logan. Remember? I visited my grandmother, Belinda Gordon, recently."
"Yes, I recall." She pulled her shoulders back and stiffened her jaw. "I remember I specifically asked you not to give her any candy," she said sharply.
"What?"
"I explained how important it was that she not be given any candy. They share what they are given and they don't know who is diabetic and who isn't. I
thought you understood that. It's a simple enough request," she added, drawing her lips thin.
"I didn't give her any candy," I said.
"No? Well she had it in her room right after you left," Mrs. Greene said with a twisted smirk.
"I don't think Melody would lie, ma'am," Holly said softly. She had a way of disagreeing with someone that made it sound pleasant, but Mrs. Greene stepped back and drank her in with a look of disgust.
"And who might you be?"
"Just a friend," Holly said.
"Yes, well, I'm afraid I can't permit anyone but immediate family to visit," Mrs. Greene said, "and we do ask that our visitors dress decently. We value our reputation here. Our clients are highly respectable people and there are a number of them visiting their loved ones at the moment."
"Decency comes from the heart, not from our outer garb," Holly said, still speaking softly.
Mrs. Greene ignored her and turned back to me.
"I have spoken with Mrs. Logan," she said, "and she has left instructions that for the time being, no one is to visit her sister. I assumed she would have told you."
"What do you mean, no one? I'm her granddaughter!" I raised my voice. "I'm not just anyone!"
The attendant moved closer. Some of the residents stopped talking and turned our way.
"Please, lower your voice," Mrs. Greene said shooting a glance at some people who were visiting a relative.
"Why can't I see my grandmother?" I demanded.
"Her condition is very delicate. We're just trying to do what's best for her," Mrs. Greene replied with a smile so phony it dripped.
"Surely, having a loved one visit can't be anything but good," Holly said. Mrs. Greene shot her a look that, if it had been a dart, would have pierced Holly's pleasant smile and gone right through her head.
"I'm not leaving here without seeing my grandmother," I fired at her and planted my feet so firmly, it was as if they were nailed to the floor.
Mrs. Greene studied us a moment. I saw a look of retreat in her eyes, which quickly fell to the gift in my hand.
"And what is that you're bringing her?"
"It's a crystal paperweight and it has healing powers," I said.
Mrs. Greene smiled coldly.
"I can't permit it. We have to have control over what is brought into the rooms."
"What harm can this do her?"
"I can't permit it," she repeated. "It's against my better judgment, but I will permit you, and you alone, to visit with your grandmother for half an hour."
"Why am I limited in time? No one else is," I protested.
"That's my final decision. I have a major responsibility here. The welfare of my guests, all my guests, must be taken into consideration. And I repeat, only immediate family," she said, sending another look of disgust Holly's way.