She completed crossword puzzles faster than most people half her age.
She hated weak coffee.
She loved old jazz records.
She corrected people’s grammar without apology.
And she trusted almost nobody.
Especially on bath days.
Margaret would wash her face.
She would wash her hands.
She would allow someone to help with her hair.
But the second anyone moved toward her back, she changed.
She screamed.
She slapped hands away.
She locked doors.
Once, she threw a plastic water pitcher across the bathroom.
Another time, she pulled the emergency cord until three nurses came running.
No one understood it.
Some staff members assumed she was difficult.
Others believed dementia was beginning.
Her medical records showed no diagnosis that explained the behavior.
Her son, Nathan, had his own theory.
“She wants attention.”
That was what he told everyone.
So when Sophie Bennett started working at Willow Creek, the head nurse warned her.
