expected. It had a full kitchen, enough room for her
diningset,andplentyoflight.Mymother-inlaw,Nan,
madesureitgotafreshcoatofpaintandarrangedfora
decoratorAlicehad usedbeforetohelpplacefurniture
and hang pictures.
“Itmeanssomethingwhenyoucanmoveinandseeall
yourthingsintheirownplaces—yourownsilverinyour
kitchen drawer,” Nan said.
ButwhenIsawAliceafewweeksafterhermove,she
didn’t seem at all happy or adjusted. Never one to
complain,shedidn’tsayanythingangryorsadorbitter,
butshewaswithdrawninawayIhadn’tseenbefore.She
remainedrecognizablyherself,butthelighthadgoneout
from behind her eyes.
AtfirstIthoughtthatthishadtodowiththelossofher
carandthefreedomthatcamewithit.Whenshemoved
intoLongwoodHouse,she’dbroughtherChevyImpala
andfullyintendedtokeepdriving.Butonherveryfirst
daythere, whenshewentto takethecarout forsome
errands,itwasgone.Shecalledthepoliceandreportedit
stolen. An officer arrived, took a description, and
promised an investigation. A while later, Jim arrived,
and,onahunch,lookedintheGiantFoodstoreparking
lotnextdoor.There itwas.Shehad gotconfused and
parkedinthewronglotwithoutrealizingit.Mortified,
shegaveupdrivingforgood.Inoneday,shelosthercar
as well as her home.
But thereseemed tobe moreto her senseof lossand
unhappiness.Shehadakitchenbutstoppedcooking.She
tookhermealsintheLongwoodHousediningroomwith