Page 36 of See You at the Sunset

Dennis lifted his hand to shoo him off and continued on his way.

Henry’s patience was running thin.

He turned and ran inside. He grabbed the walker and quickly picked up the remote control and turned off the television. And with a tiny hesitation, doubled back to the kitchen, put the cereal box back into the cupboard, and ran outside. Henry locked the door behind him and rushed to catch up to his granddad.

“You promised me that you’d use the walker more. It’s important. I don’t want to get all the way back to New Yorkand get news that you’ve fallen or gotten hurt. Please, for your safety and my peace of mind.”

“Henry, I love you with all my heart. But I’ve been doing all right on my own. I love having you around, but you’re a bit of a wet blanket.”

Henry stopped in his tracks. So he was being a little overprotective right now. It was only because he’d seen with his own eyes how much older Dennis had gotten. If he could make things easier for him, he would. He wasn’t there just yet, but Henry could see a day when he’d need a lot more help taking care of himself. And it stressed Henry out just thinking about that future. It would break Dennis’s spirit if he had to be moved into a nursing home, that much he knew. He was a stubborn old goat and valued his independence more than anything. “I’m sorry, Granddad. But I’ll be honest. I sometimes worry that you’re not paying close enough attention to take care of yourself. You’re not getting any younger. You’ve got to be more careful.”

There. He’d said it. Dennis needed to hear it.

His granddad let out a deep sigh and dropped his shoulders. His posture suddenly looking wilted. “Fine, Henry, I’ll take the walker.” He stepped between the frame and used it to push himself forward. His pace significantly slowed down.

He looked and moved suddenly like a much older man.

Henry felt like shit. But he knew he was right. Better safe than sorry.

They entered the community center where the main room was already quite crowded. His granddad wasn’t kidding when he said this class was popular. Henry examined the crowd. Some of the older women were in tights and leotards and had clearly got their inspiration from Jane Fonda. Others were in satinytrack suits that looked more like Sue Sylvester fromGlee. What surprised Henry was that there were a good number of men in attendance as well. If he didn’t know better, he’d think there was a bit of flirting happening between many of the residents. But that was not something he wanted to be contemplating.

“Dennis, you made it!”

Mimi’s voice called out from across the room as she headed toward them. Her hair was perfectly curled and coiffed as it always seemed to be, and her makeup, including the bright pink lipstick, was also all in place. Mimi wore a light blue terry-cloth set withJuicywritten in sequins across her hoodie jacket. It was a flashy look for an octogenarian at eight thirty in the morning.

Henry was beginning to think that either he’d always had the wrong idea of how seniors dressed or the people at Sunset Hills were the outliers.

“I’m so glad you’re here. And Henry, you made it too. Fun!” she said with a brightness that made Henry a little uncomfortable. Did she wake up in a good mood every day? Henry was reminded of another perpetually happy woman. Cleary it ran in the family.

Mimi gave Henry a once-over from head to toe. “Nice,” she said.

Henry was still in his running shorts and tank top. He felt a little underdressed, to be honest. Not just in terms of coverage, but this was the fanciest group of exercisers he’d ever seen... and he lived in the Upper West Side.

“Dennis, come over here and stand next to me,” Mimi suggested.

His granddad followed Mimi away, but Henry gently grabbed him by the elbow. “Don’t forget your walker,” he said.

“But it’ll get in the way,” Dennis replied.

“We can stand over here,” Mimi suggested, pointing toward a corner in the back where a few of the other class participants were seated in chairs, some with their own walkers beside them.

Henry appreciated that they made room and accommodations for those who needed more help.

“Okay, okay, everyone,” a very loud, very bright voice came through the sound system. “Who’s ready for some ZUMBAAAA?”

He winced at the volume.

Henry scanned the room, and there standing at the front of the class, lavalier mic wrapped around her ear, in a bright pink one-piece leotard with a tutu wrapped around her waist was Jia Chung.

Of course she was teaching this class.

And what was she wearing?

“It’s her old ballet outfit! Can you believe it still fits her? We found it in the back of my closet, and what with her not having her luggage, we made some adjustments, and now it’s her Zumba outfit,” Mimi explained as if reading Henry’s mind.

“Huh,” Henry said. He wasn’t sure what else to say.

The music began to play overhead and the energy in the room buzzed.