“Check out the new kid,” Mabel said.
“Nice sweater, Grandpa,” said Edith.
“Hey, New Kid, we saved you a spot.”
Howard carried his tray over and joined the girls.
Betty brightened. “Hello, I’m Elizabeth. Folks call me ‘Betty.’”
Howard stood and shook Betty’s hand. Their smiles lingered.
“So, New Kid,” Mabel pressed.
Betty dug into her applesauce.
“It’s Howard.”
“We already have a Howard. I’m gonna call you ‘Howie.’”
“That’s fine.”
“Howie, how’d you end up in this dump?”
“Same story as yours, likely. The kids didn’t want me at the old place, so here I am. Heck with ’em.”
“I hear that.”
The conversation died. Howard and Betty stole glances at each other, hoping the other wouldn’t notice. They did.
“Care for a game of checkers or maybe a puzzle?” Betty asked Howard.
Mabel and Edith scoffed at the thought.
“Poor Betty,” Mabel muttered. “She’ll never learn.”
“New guys never last,” said Edith.
Betty didn’t care.
Howard stood and held out his arm. Betty slipped hers through his, and they wandered to the game room.
“How anyone kind can find love and happiness in this old folks’ home is beyond me,” Edith said.
“You said it, sister,” said Mabel.
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