The Inheritance by Joanna Goodman

Author:Joanna Goodman [Goodman, Joanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

19

Virginia stares glumly out the window at the sprawling, gray-brick Anglican church next to the old folks’ home, both of which are set back from the road on a lush green corner lot in Lytton Park. When Tate pulls open the car door for her, Virginia doesn’t budge.

“It would be so much less off-putting if they held these things in a hotel lobby or a coffee shop,” Virginia says.

“It’ll be fine,” Tate assures her.

“Can I change my mind?”

“Let me grab your cane and I’ll help you out.”

“I can’t.”

“Of course you can,” Tate says matter-of-factly. “I’ll come with you if you want.”

“I don’t want.”

Tate reaches for her mother’s elbow and gently tugs her out of the car. Virginia leans heavily on Tate’s shoulder with one hand and on her cane with the other, finally managing to free her body from the car.

“Do you need my help walking you into the building?”

Virginia shakes her head, dangerously close to tears.

“I’m going to do some errands and then I’ll meet you right here at this bench,” Tate says, using the same maternal voice Virginia used to use on her decades ago when she would drop her off on the first day of school or at a new ballet class. Mommy will be back to pick you up at three. What a twisted sense of humor the universe has, bringing old people full circle like this.

All of this is Hayley’s fault. Hayley, with her spiritual sound bites and her minty-fresh optimism.

“Happiness is a habit, you know.” That’s what Hayley said to Virginia the day she brought up the group again.

Virginia looked up at her with a sudden intense craving for a cigarette.

“You’re giving me that look, Virginia.”

“What look?”

“You know exactly what look,” Hayley said, unstrapping the weights from Virginia’s ankles. She sat down cross-legged on the floor next to Virginia’s prostrate upper body. “Have you given any thought to the elder abuse group?”

“Some.”

“I know I’m your physiotherapist, but the mental and emotional work is super important for your physical recovery as well. You’re not exactly recovering at an impressive clip, if you don’t mind my saying so.”

A cool draft of peppermint wafted around Virginia’s face.

“At some point, you have to want to get better,” Hayley said. “And I don’t just mean walking normally again.”

“I’m old. It takes longer.”

Hayley rolled her eyes and sighed. “It’s not your age,” she said. “It’s your attitude. I’ve worked with plenty of clients older than you and they’ve made more progress in less time.”

Virginia lolled her head away petulantly and didn’t respond.

“Your body has experienced a serious trauma,” Hayley said, softening her tone. “And so has your psyche. All of you needs to heal.”

“I don’t belong in an elder abuse group,” Virginia muttered. “I’m not an elder.”

“You just said yourself you’re old.”

Virginia frowned.

“Have you ever heard of Psycho-Cybernetics?”

“I hate science.”

“God, Virginia, can you please just open your mind a crack? It’s a book.”

“Fine. No, I haven’t heard of it. Please tell me about it while I’m trapped here on my back.

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