Summary

In Chapter 19, Merci goes with her mother to the Lourdes Killington Residence where Ana is giving a presentation. This is a “fancy place downtown where a lot of senior citizens live, if they can afford it” (206). She becomes tired of waiting and goes in search of Ana. She wanders down a hall and see an old man sleeping. His mouth is open and his television is on. She sees a nurse taking care of a woman, “watching wide-eyed from her bed” who “doesn't smile at all” (209). Later, Merci and Ana stop by the bicycle store so that Merci can shop around. Her heart is not in it, however, as she thinks about the old people in the home. She asks if they have nowhere else to go. Ana says some people prefer to be in a place that provides companionship and activities. Merci...