It had to be You

emergency patient and two rooms for the young nurses who help her. Two old ladies share one big room, and will talk the socks off you. One cranky old man, and one man I haven’t seen except from above. He was mowing the backyard.“
    “If he can mow a yard, why is he a patient?“ Lily shrugged.
    “How many are on the staff?“
    “The two young nurses who help the patients and change the bedding and bandages. One of them is sick, which is why Miss Twibell needs us. Apparently the two of us equal one of her,“ Lily said with a wry smile. “There’s also a woman who lives in the basement with her child and does the laundry. And Dr. Polhemus is on call. And does routine visits.”
    Robert frowned. “I’m surprised she uses him. He’s such an awful gossip. I’ll bet the whole town knows every detail of the four patients’ symptoms.“
    “Who else could she get locally?“ Lily asked. “I don’t imagine her budget allows for a full-time doctor to live there. Oh, there’s also a cook and an assistant for her. I wasn’t introduced, so I don’t know their names. Cook sent the assistant up with the trays.“
    “Is she a good cook?“ Robert asked.
    “Yes, I think so. She sent up the best chicken soup I’ve ever had. It also had big fat egg noodles added for everyone but Mr. Connor. He got the plain soup. There were tuna sandwiches with lots of celery and good bread as well.“
    “We only take that one meal, right?“
    “You just had your breakfast, Robert. And I ate dinner here last night. Didn’t you notice? There must be part-time local women who come in and clean everything but the hospital part of the nursing home.
    “As for the patients, Miss Smith has bad hips and has to walk with sticks,“ Lily added. “She knows who you are and is smitten.“
    “I think you told me about her before.“
    “I probably did. I’m guessing the woman who shares her room has asthma. Mr. Connor has a broken knee that’s apparently badly infected.”
    “Connor? Any relation to the young man Mrs.
    Prinney told me about who sold you all that stuff while I was gone? Oh, you must have bought those three packs of cigarettes that were on my night table from him. Thanks.“
    “You’re welcome. The young man is Kelly Connor, Mr. Connor’s grandson.“
    “What’s Miss Twibell like? Aside from having bunions?“
    “I’ll let you form your own opinion. We’re supposed to be there at nine.”
    When they arrived, Doreen had to let them in again. Lily introduced Robert to Doreen and Buddy, who was again hiding against his mother’s apron, peeking at them.
    “Go on up,“ Doreen said. “I’m told there’s a problem with one of the patients, which is why Betty didn’t open the door,“ she explained to Robert.
    “I step in just as there’s a ‘problem,’ “ Robert groaned quietly.
    “It’s not our responsibility, Robert. Don’t fret,“ Lily said as they went up the stairway.
    When they arrived in the living room, Mr. Connor’s door was open. Miss Twibell was wearing her carpet slippers instead of real shoes, and standing over Mr. Connor. Betty was beside her. They were talking in low voices.
    “Robert,“ Lily said quietly, “I’ll show you where the laundry baskets are and where to take them. When we get back, I’ll tackle cleaning the floors and counter and you can entertain Miss Smith and Miss Jones. That will keep both of us out from underfoot.”
    Apparently, this was the day that the bulk of the linens were washed. Lily took the small basket and Robert wrestled the huge one down the stairs. “They really need an elevator,“ he said. “Or one of those dumbwaiters. I’ll bet the Harbinger boys would know how to install it.“
    “I wouldn’t suggest that right away if I were you,“ Lily said.
    They had to make three trips to get everything down to the basement.
    Robert stayed in the basement to play the little radio he’d found in a cabinet under the stairs at Grace and Favor and brought along. Buddy listened, too, while Doreen started the first load of washing.
    Lily went upstairs and started mopping the pharmacy part of the largest room. Betty was sound asleep on the sofa. Miss Twibell came into the big sitting room. “I didn’t even notice you were here,“ she said wearily. “Is your brother along today?“
    “Yes. He’ll be back from the basement in a few minutes. How is Mr. Connor doing?“ They were both whispering so they wouldn’t wake Betty.
    “Badly. He always pretends