Welcome to our new series, Grumpy Ever After!
Nineteen-year-old Abby is ready to launch into the working world. Armed with her CNA license and a bright pink pair of scrubs, she accepts a job at the Tired Tales Retirement Home. The patient-to-caregiver ratio is low, and she’s been promised excellent training. What could possibly go wrong?
Little does she know that her residents are retired fairytale adventurers in various stages of dementia. A resident who calls himself the Emperor streaks through the facility regularly. Ms. White can’t abide the sight of apples, and Abby need only follow trails of food to find Hansel and his sister Gretel.
Though the job description was deceptive, the pay is better than promised and Abby has no other direction in her life. But is she prepared for sundowning when there are swords involved?
Chapter 1 - The Interview
“Abigail? Welcome. I am Fatima.”
Abby accepted the hiring manager’s extended hand and shook it. “Thank you! I go by Abby.”
“Then welcome, Abby. You can follow me.” Fatima led the way past the security desk, her high heels clacking even on the carpet floors. She gestured for Abby to follow. “We will be conducting our interview in the dining room. Now, do you have any experience as a CNA?”
“Not yet.” Abby waited until the older woman glanced away to wipe her sweaty hands on the front of her hot pink scrubs. Ugh, interviews. Her parents had warned her about the nerves. “I completed my certification last month.”
“That’s okay,” Fatima reassured her. “We prefer inexperienced CNAs, as it allows us to do the majority of the training. Are you in school? What is your availability?”
“My availability is wide open, though I would prefer to avoid nights.” The woods in this area were creepy at night, and Tired Tales Retirement Home was unusually secluded.
“Understandable.” Fatima stood at the end of the hallway and gestured to the space beyond. “This is our dining room! Residents gather here at seven, noon, and four for meals. Snacks are always available, of course, but structure is important for our residents.”
Abby nodded. The room seemed normal enough - five round tables covered in white tablecloths sat beneath a shimmering chandelier. Windows covered each wall, opening into a spacious garden. A single old man sat in a wheelchair by the window, his shoulders hunched. He snored softly.
Her teacher had shared some horror stories in their course. Hospitals with terrible cleanliness standards or nursing homes with twenty-four patients to each CNA. But this place hadn’t raised any red flags yet. The few residents that passed by seemed happy.
“What does the ratio of patients to CNAs look like around here?” Abby asked, wincing at the hesitation in her voice.
“We deal with some… interesting… residents.” Fatima sat at the nearest table. Abby awkwardly followed behind her. “To meet their needs, we like to keep the ratio low. Five residents per CNA is typical for the morning shift, and two for the afternoon. Sundowning is difficult, as you know.”
Abby sat across the table from Fatima. They conversed for several moments about strengths, weaknesses and conflict resolution. After some time, Fatima slid a manila folder across the table to Abby. “This all appears amenable, and I would be happy to offer you the position. If you are interested in taking this job, here is our standard non-disclosure agreement and privacy policy. Sign them and bring them in on your first day.”
A warning bell sounded in the back of Abby’s mind. Weren’t NDAs meant more for celebrity couples and spies, not for nursing homes?
Fatima must have seen the look on her face. She hastened to reassure her. “Some of our residents are somewhat famous. We prefer to have all of our bases covered. If this makes you uncomfortable, this job may not be the best fit for you.”
“Thank you.” Abby recalled everything in her mind about professionalism as she stood. “I will let you know!”
As Abby exited the Tired Tales Retirement Home, she could have sworn she heard a woman screaming.
Author’s Note: Each chapter of this series will be around 500 words long. As it is first-draft writing (and I’ll only be a writing a week or two ahead of posting), feedback is welcome and comments are appreciated.