The Assignment
Penelope Ward
Aspyn
“What’s up?” I asked my supervisor, Laura Rowlings, who’d just called me into her office.
“Remember last weekend when Louie Serrano went missing?”
I worked at Horizons, a home for the elderly, as the activities coordinator. Mr. Serrano was one of the residents. Last week, his adult grandson had gotten a slap on the wrist for violating facility rules.
“Yeah. I wasn’t working that day. But I heard it was a circus. The grandson broke him out of here?”
“Yup.” Laura nodded. “Took him for a joyride without clearing it with management. We thought Louie had wandered away somehow. Then the grandson brings him back here like it was nothing. He knew about the policy. Didn’t even pretend like he didn’t. And it was the second time he’s pulled something like this.”
While I didn’t personally understand why it was such a big deal if someone took a family member out for a bit, I did know the facility had a strict rule about getting clearance first. Mr. Serrano’s grandson absolutely should’ve gotten permission, but people around here were treating this like he’d broken the old man out of prison. More often than not, the people who lived here had no family members visiting at all. So it seemed strange to vilify someone for paying attention to their loved one. I thought the whole scenario was kind of cute, to be honest.
“Does that situation have something to do with why you called me in here?” I asked.
Laura sighed. “Yeah. Apparently, this grandson has moved back to Meadowbrook from Seattle to look after the grandfather in his father’s absence. The man’s dad—Mr. Serrano’s son—is traveling around Europe for a few months. This guy insists his grandfather needs to get out on a more regular schedule. He’s now got permission from Nancy to take him out twice a week at designated times without having to clear it first, so long as he brings him back by a certain time.”
“The way she was ranting about what he did…” I shook my head. “I’m surprised Nancy accommodated his request.”
“Well, she was mad until he came in the next day and formally apologized. This guy is quite the looker, and pretty persistent—cocky but charming. I saw him when he went in to talk to her. I think Nancy fell for him a little.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay.”
“But because he can’t be trusted to stick to the rules, given his past behavior, Nancy said she would only allow the regular outings if we sent along a chaperone from the facility who can make sure Mr. Serrano is safely returned on time.”
It suddenly hit me where this was going. “Let me guess…I’m the one who gets to babysit the bonehead grandson?”
“There’s no one else we can assign. You’re the only nonessential staff. You’ll just ride with them and stay in the background.”
“When does this start?”
“2 PM this afternoon.”
What? I looked at the time on my phone. “Not much of a warning. That’s in ten minutes.”
“I know. I’m sorry. She forgot to let me know about it until a little while ago. I’ve already canceled the singalong you were supposed to do in the dining room at three.”
I looked down at myself. Even though I wasn’t medical staff, the center wanted me to come to work in the same garb the nurses here wore. Scrubs weren’t an essential clothing choice for an activities director, but I liked the fact that I didn’t have to choose an outfit for work—kind of like school uniforms back in the day, except much more comfortable. However, it also meant that today I’d be venturing around town in a pair of scrubs covered in the Disney character Goofy.
The one consolation in all of this, I supposed, was that Mr. Serrano was one of my favorites. He was incredibly friendly and had a sharp and speedy wit. I wouldn’t mind spending time with him.
I dashed to the bathroom and ran a comb through my straight, light brown hair. I hadn’t gotten a haircut in more than two years, so my tresses fell to just above my butt.
After freshening up, I made my way down the hall. I had no idea where we’d be going and found myself a little nervous to meet this grandson who’d supposedly charmed our tough-as-nails facility director.
When I walked into Mr. Serrano’s room at 2 PM sharp, I was surprised to find him alone.
“Hey, Mr. Serrano.”
He was sitting in his wheelchair, ready to go. “I heard you’re gonna be my chaperone today, Aspyn.”
I chuckled. “Well, I think it’s your grandson I’m technically chaperoning.”
“He’s a good kid. Well, not a kid anymore. He’s twenty-nine and a professional. Makes more money than I ever did. But I still see him like a boy. He’s a good guy. And if it sounds like I’m trying to sell you on him, you’d be right.” He winked.
“Anyway…” Mr. Serrano continued after I didn’t respond. “He didn’t mean anything by sneaking me out of here.”
“I know that, but it’s our job to keep you safe, so we need to know where you are at all times.” I opened the shades to let more sun into his room. “And apparently, this has happened more than once?”
“Yeah. The first time, I wanted to watch the Mets. This place has cheap cable, so I couldn’t watch the game here. The second time I was craving an ice cream from McDonald’s. If he brings it for me, it’s too melty by the time he gets here.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Well, they didn’t want the third time to be the charm. So now you’re stuck with me.”
“There are worse people to be stuck with.” He grinned.
He’s such a flirt.
Then a deep voice startled me. “Goofy is the one joining us?”
I turned around to find a very tall, handsome man with a gorgeous mane of brown hair scrutinizing me. I now wished I’d worn anything but the Goofy scrubs today.
“Aspyn, this is my grandson, Troy.”
Troy.
I squinted. Those eyes. This was no first-time meeting.
No.
It’s him.
This is a nightmare.
Troy Serrano.
Good God.
Troy.
Serrano.
Somehow I’d never connected Mr. Serrano’s last name to that guy from high school. It had been eleven years, which was why I hadn’t immediately recognized him. His hair was a bit longer. But not only had Troy Serrano been one of the most popular guys at Meadowbrook High, he was also the ex-boyfriend of my best friend senior year. He’d cheated on her, and let’s just say I…went a little apeshit on him. And after that, we became enemies.
This was not good.
He looked me up and down. “Aspyn Dumont. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Mr. Serrano looked between us. “You know the lovely Aspyn?”
Troy’s eyes narrowed. “Lovely? That’s not exactly how I remember her.”
Mr. Serrano smiled, seeming amused. “How do you two know each other?”
I cleared my throat. “We went to high school together.”
“Get out of town!” Mr. Serrano smacked his hand on the arm of his wheelchair.
I wished I could have. This very second. Far out of town.