“Hello, you’ve reached Magnolia Residences. This is Ana, how can I help?”

“We have an urgent transfer. A gentleman discharged from the hospital. We’re at capacity and unable to house him here. Can you accommodate?” the voice on the other line swift and to the point.

“Yes. Yes, we have room. Email the details and I’ll have someone prepare a villa right away.”

I briefed the housekeeping staff then the nurses. An hour and a half later, villa 22 had a new resident.

“Welcome to Magnolia, Mr Walton.”

“Well hello,” he smiled warmly, “And to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, dear?”

“I like to get to know our residents, sir. I hope we’ve provided you with everything you need?”

“Yes, yes, more than necessary. The place is lovely, thank you.”

“Very good. Now, should you need anything, our staff are available 24 hours.” I gestured towards the phone beside his bed, “There is one in every room. The lines are programmed for you, all you‘d need to do is press one of the buttons.”

He nodded, the warm smile still present.

“I’ll leave you to settle in now. Would you like a nurse to come around in, say, an hour… to walk you around the grounds, sir?”

The old man appeared dazed. His eyes in a squint. He looked at me, as if it were the first time seeing me, “Hello dear, what is your name?”

“My name is Ana, sir.”

“Ana, would you be so kind as to take me out to the gardens, I need some fresh air?”

“Of course, it would be my pleasure.”

He ambled towards me and reached out, I caught his hand and linked it to the inner crook of my elbow. A strange familiarity overcame me. The gentle smile transfixed on his face and remained there for the rest of our walk.

Every day since, Mr Walton and I walked around the gardens. He refused to be accompanied by any of the nurses. An old man set in his ways, I guess. We both disdained cigars. The acrid smell occasionally wafted from villa 6 where another resident seemed rather fond of them. We always stopped by the flower beds and he relished watching the bees at work. I had come to enjoy his company. The man had lived quite a life but he rarely spoke of family. Magnolia had the best facilities in state but sometimes, I wondered if I would have sent my own father to a retirement home. I guess, that’s one decision I won’t ever have to make. Ma was lucky in finding a healthy donor and brave enough to have raised me on her own.

“I hope you don’t mind me asking, did you ever get married?” I prodded.

“Yes, dear. My wife, Cordelia and I married when I was 21. She died four years ago. I still miss her sometimes, you know. But it wasn’t always the way…”

I stayed silent in the hopes he’d continue.

“You see, our fathers arranged our marriage. Corrupt politicians, they were. I was strong-armed by his men and forced to fly to my own wedding, against my will. At times I still hate him for it but I can’t stay mad, knowing that would be wishing Cordelia out of my life.”

“Did you have children?” I asked gingerly.

“No, dear. Sadly, she couldn’t. I almost… I… ah… well, life finds a way to settle a score…” his tone melancholic.

“It’s okay, we don’t need to talk about it.”

In silence we walked, all the way to his door. As I turned to leave, he looked back towards me and spoke ever so softly, “Thank you Ana, you have been very kind to me.”

That was our last walk together. His health rapidly deteriorated thereafter causing him to be bedridden for the remainder of his stay. A mere three months after his arrival at Magnolia, Mr Sebastian Walton passed away peacefully in his sleep.