Etta lumbered up the path, feeling her age in her bones with every step. She made her way towards the bench where Hattie sat waiting.
"Hello Hattie. You look pleased. Did your son visit?" Etta asked.
"No." Hattie said, "But my granddaughter came. She's in college now, can you believe it?" A proud smile etched across her withered face
Etta eased herself down onto the bench, her joints making the act difficult.
These daily walks were becoming harder and harder. She wished she could have her scooter here. At Heartpine senior care she'd had full access, though she hardly used it then. Her pride had refused to admit she'd needed assistance with something as simple as walking. Seemed silly now.
"That's wonderful." Etta said, a pang of jealousy in her chest.
Her own family hadn't visited in years, and before that it was very seldom. She didn't know when she'd see them next, if ever. But things like that happened all the time. Etta saw it with countless others, and knew her turn was coming.
Hattie was lucky. She still got visitors, although not often. But at least they still came, which was more than most could say.
"She's a smart girl." Hattie gushed, but Etta wasn't listening. She'd let her attention wander to the large iron fence that bordered the property. She found herself looking more and more lately, wishing she could see beyond it. If she had known the view would be blocked, she'd have chosen better, like her awful satin dress that's seen better days.
"Etta, why are you gawking at that fence again?" Hattie said, nudging her.
"Where else should I look?" Etta snapped, then sighed, and turned away from the fence.
"My apologies Hattie. I guess I'm a bit tired today." She said, smiling weakly.
She was. Tired of the same dried up grounds, the same dried up residents, and of course those pathetic plastic flowers. At Heartpine they had a garden that the residents could tend to. But it wasn't just the garden. At Heartpine, even the workers were warm and friendly.
Here, at Everlive the workers hardly smiled, and never acknowledged the residents. But she supposed that was expected.
"I know!" Hattie said. "I heard there was a new resident this morning. Shall we go say hello?" She cooed as if Etta were a small child to placate.
Etta got to her feet, following Hattie along the path. She did enjoy meeting new residents, although not too young. That was never easy.
Many of the tombstones they passed were crumbling, jutting from the ground like broken teeth. Etta's own was cracked and fading, but at least her name was legible.
"Hello!" Hattie and Etta called, waving at an elderly man who seemed disoriented, but smiled. Etta smiled too. She was glad they wouldn't have to explain things too much, not like with the younger ones. She strolled toward him, eager to meet the newest resident of Everlive Cemetery.
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