Working out the Kinks

Mom has a new friend. The staff says they do everything together. I love seeing Mom happy. They are excited to see one another and giggle about things. Tonight however, they are out raged over the lack of coffee. Moms friend says"Can you imagine? No hot coffee! I've never heard of a restaurant with no coffee". I look around at the empty cups on the table and wonder, is there some no caffeine after 3 rule?

Max walks his walker up to me with purpose, having identified me as an outsider it seems. "How do I get out of here? I've been every where there are no exits" he says. The care center is set up in a loop, there are 3 units each with their own focus of care but they all run together, so you can walk any direction and eventually end up back where you started.  Doors leading to the out side world are not a main feature and require a code. I tell Max I do not know. He responds appropriately, "OH MY GOD! We are all stuck in here!". A staff person comes to my rescue, also telling him she is unsure of the exit. Oh good. Now I don't feel like such an ass for lying to the poor guy.

The nurse tries to get him to sit down for dinner but he doesn't have his wallet and is not going to eat when he can't pay for it.

I find it interesting the things that get lost and the things that stay. Max had his pride, even if he couldn't find the door, he was not taking a hand out. Mom can't remember my childhood or a single one of the hundreds of parties she put on but she is a Mom and a Host through and through. She talks about getting the kids together feeding them, entertained them, making sure they have someplace to sleep. In her mind she often comes back to this nonexistent group of kids she is in charge of. I wonder if I am one of them.  

Tonight playing hostess she offers Max a place at the table, "Come join us!" then to me, "Julie go get him a drink" We will have fun!". Max says to me "it's no use there's no coffee!". He remembers that!.  Turns out Max is not very much fun, he is angry and confused (and there is no coffee). Mom playing the good host tries to make the most of it. I add Max to the list of folks not to set with.

The Director of Food Services comes over to make a personal apology about the coffee and says they will have it worked out by breakfast. After reprimanding him for this error in the first place folks start to relax. I imagine that it must have been a very long day for them all.