He knew all about those other assisted living homes and none of them had given him the feeling of comfort or peace. He’d visited many senior homes and he’d been appalled at the treatment of elders. Places where the residents were treated like annoying patients. Lazy nurses who ignored call bells. Unclean rooms where they put two, and sometimes three people to maximize on cost. His mother had her own condo within the huge community. No one was permitted to enter her private residence without his permission, only the onsite physicians and nurses, his mother’s only sister, and she had two sweet ladies she liked to do activities with who would come and pick her up, they were allowed as well. No one else and certainly no male visitors. Since most of the maintenance men were male, Ty only allowed for service calls when he was there. These were his mother’s wishes, as well. So he honored them.
Ty’s Lyft dropped him at the security booth outside the gate of the Summerset Senior Living Community.
“Good morning, Mr. Thomas,” Ty said.
“Tyrell. Usually don’t see you this early. How you been?” The long-time security manager asked him, while still checking Ty’s ID after six years, because there was no bypassing protocol, ever.
“Right. I got a new job and the hours are demanding. Just wanted to make sure my mom was good, first.” Ty signed the visitor’s log.
“I’m sure she is. Probably looks absolutely beautiful today.” He smiled.
Ty’s hand froze signing his last name. “Meaning?” He asked seriously.
“Meaning,” he stressed, “That the ladies are always in a good mood after spa day. They strut like peacocks on the grounds with their new hairdos and colorful toes. I haven’t seen your mother yet, though.”
His mom did like to take advantage of the beauty shop inside the facility, but she didn’t flaunt herself. She continued to keep her hair covered and dressed conservatively. Ty scribbled the date and time and took his badge. “Have a good day, Mr. Thomas.”
“You too, Tyrell. Good luck on the new job.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Ty started his long walk across the immaculate grounds. It was early and quite cold but there were still a few residents sitting on the restaurant patio amidst heat lamps, and fire pits, sipping steaming beverages. Buildings sprawled across the six-acre property. His mother’s residence was in the west wing, just beyond the rose garden. He’d be glad when he could walk her around the property again, she loved the fresh blooms in the spring. It was just too frigid for her to be out today. He’d sit with her in the entertainment room or have the restaurant’s chef prepare them something to share. He lightly tapped on the door of her single deluxe suite and waited for her to give him permission to come in. Instead of his mom answering, her nurse—Lisa—opened the door. She had her gray and blonde hair pulled so tight into her bun, it looked like she’d had a face lift.
“Ty! Hey sweetheart. It’s good to see you. I just finished setting up her breakfast. She requested to dine in her residence today. Are you joining her? I can send for something for you?”
“No, Lisa. Thank you.” Ty stood in his mother’s entranceway. “How’s the start of her week been?”
“She’s been great. Eating well and even socializing a bit yesterday evening. We had a few members from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra set up in the dining hall yesterday to play while the residents ate. It was so lovely.”
That’s why he paid the big bucks here. His mother deserved nothing less.
“They were back again?” Ty smiled. His mother adored classical music, just as his father had. He was so glad to hear she’d experienced it.
“Yes! I know, right? They love volunteering here. I think they’re even talking of performing at our I could’ve danced all night annual senior’s ball. Your mother skipped the last year but I’m adamant about her going this time.” She beamed. “She’d be so beautiful in a gown.”
“Yes, she would,” Ty said softly.
“You’re never too old to get all gussied-up, right?”
“Of course not. Thank you for your help this morning, Lisa.” Ty appreciated that Lisa did most of his mother’s housekeeping as well. He wanted the least amount of people in her home that he could manage. It was what she’d been used to and it was imperative he keep his mother accustomed to the lifestyle she’d always lived. To respect his father. And it was also a way that she continued to honor him.
It was a blessing that his father taught him the importance of properly managing his finances and being ever mindful of his credit. Much of his father’s SGLI—his military life insurance—went to his mother’s residential fees and to pay for Ty’s two years of college. The survivor’s benefits continued to pay for his mother to live comfortably, but not enough for him, too. The policy his father had left for him was in the bank accruing interest. He had a master plan for that money, one he’d already set in motion. For now, he’d stay in low-income housing until he was set, if that was what was necessary for his mother to have the best. He was a man. He didn’t need much.