Find Them by Julia Ash

Author:Julia Ash [Ash, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-16T22:00:00+00:00

37

Monday, August 4, 2025

Mountain Manor Senior Care: Honesdale, Pennsylvania

“VICTORIA IS TRANSITIONING,” the nurse told me, as we stood outside of Victoria’s closed door to her private room at the Manor. “She hasn’t woken up since Saturday.”

“Transitioning?” I asked.

“Her body is slowly shutting down,” the nurse explained. “It’s preparing to transition from this life to the beyond.” She leaned toward me and whispered, “Translation: from this life to Heaven. But there are sensitivities these days.” She rolled her eyes.

“Oh. Wow.” I wasn’t sure what to say about the transitioning part. My own parents were killed instantly at an intersection when a dump truck ran a red light. Consequently, gradual dying wasn’t a process I was familiar with. “Will I disturb her?”

My question substituted for my authentic reaction which was utter disappointment, given Victoria wasn’t conscious to speak with me.

“Not at all,” the nurse answered. “Many believe the body is simply a vessel. The spirit is very much alive so she can hear you, deary. Knowing Victoria, she’ll appreciate the company. She’s a hoot.”

The nurse opened the door, and I was assaulted with a septic odor—bleach and rubbing alcohol if I had to guess. Victoria was lying on a hospital bed to the left of the doorway. A white blanket was pulled up to her chest and her arms were folded over her breasts, crisscrossing at the wrists. Her hands were marked with sunspots and bulging veins. On her face, Victoria’s skin had drooped to the sides of her jawline, leaving the contours of her skeleton disturbingly visible. Her lips were dried and cracked, and yellowing teeth peeked through. Her eye sockets were dark. Curly white hair was splayed out on the pillow like knobby fingers.

Aging was cruel.

I remembered the family photo that Miss Grace had taken in 1955. Sixteen year old Victoria was beautiful then. Her youthful self had high cheekbones like her parents. Wide eyes. A pretty mouth. And long blonde hair pulled back into a braided ponytail.

The nurse took a wet sponge and dabbed Victoria’s lips with it.

Across from the bed, in between two windows that overlooked flowering bushes brightened by late morning sunlight, was a bookshelf filled with books and magazines.

I meandered over to inspect her collection, wondering what genres she preferred.

“Victoria was always an avid reader,” the nurse announced, now placing petroleum jelly on her patient’s lips.

I noticed three hardcover journals stacked on one shelf. Excitement washed over me.

“Are these diaries?” I asked, hoping not to sound eager.

The nurse stopped what she was doing and looked over at me. “They are. Her son, Ross, found them a couple months back. Brought them in when she was still able to read.”

A rush of adrenaline made my knees quiver.

“Do you think she’d like me to read them aloud to her?” I asked.

“She loves to be read to.” The nurse stood. “But since the diaries are personal, I’d better check with her son first. Ross is a lawyer in town, if you know what I mean.”

“Never mind. I don’t want to be a bother.

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