Jeopardy In July

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

"Okay, I'll bite," I said. "What the heck is Sundowner's Syndrome?"

Jessie thought for a few seconds. "It's something that happens late in the day where people with dementia get confused and anxious, sometimes even aggressive. It's incredible how fast they can go from lucid to not knowing where they are or who you are."

"How does pet therapy help with that?" We were standing in the hallway outside the card room.

"Think about it--pets are soothing to be around, especially a trained dog like Marley. When someone is agitated and can't communicate, a friendly dog can calm him down. I mean, everyone can relate to a dog, even a baby, or an Alzheimer's patient."

"That's fascinating," I said, "but how many people can Marley work with at once?"

I pictured the lobby of La Vida Boca, the residents reading, napping, and socializing, a couple of hip grannies playing with their iPhones--until the sun goes down, at which point total chaos erupts and the scene transforms into a low-budget sci-fi movie or a cheesy horror film. Marley would need lots of back-up, maybe all the dogs from the shelter…

Jessie laughed. "It's not the zombie apocalypse, Jamie. A few people get confused and then Marley gives them what I call TLC."

"How is that different from regular TLC?"

"It's doggie love. A Tail wag, a Lick and a Cuddle."

"Got it," I said. "Can I borrow Marley when I need some TLC, or do I have to wait until I'm an old lady? I am pretty confused most of the time, if that helps."

"Okay, you're in. I'll put you on the schedule," Jessie said agreeably.

We entered the card room, a sunny space with a large window facing the tennis courts. The domino table was unoccupied as were the two Mahjong tables. In fact, the only people there were three elderly gentlemen and a spry-looking lady in her seventies wearing a dealer's hat and shuffling cards like a pro. She must have worked in Vegas or Atlantic City at some point, or maybe closer to home, like Seminole Hard Rock Casino. The four were seated around a green-felted table covered with poker chips.

"Jamie, this is my Great-Uncle Teddy," Jessie said fondly, resting her hand on the shoulder of a man who looked like the Monopoly guy. He had the same big white moustache, genial round face, and bald head. All he needed was a top hat.

"I don't know what's so great about him," joked the gray-haired man in plaid pants to Uncle Teddy's right. "He's a lousy poker player who hasn't won a game all week. I plan to spend his money on fast cars and loose women."

"Yeah, Harry, like you could handle either one," the woman teased as she dealt the cards.

"How far you gonna get on two dollars and fifty cents?" Uncle Teddy replied. "You can't even buy a picture of a fast car or loose woman with that kind of dough."

The black man with salt and pepper hair to Teddy's left laughed good-naturedly. "Enough trash talk, y'all," he said. "Time to play poker."

Uncle Teddy examined his cards like he was guarding state secrets before giving me a sly grin. "Why don't you and your friend sit down, Jess? Don't make the girl stand there. What's your name again, dear?"

"Jamie Quinn," I said, "nice to meet you."

"I'm Sylvia," said the dealer. "What brings you to La Vida Boca? Are you visiting someone?"

"I know you didn't come for the food," Harry said, making a face. "Stay away from the dining room, it's the worst. They think salt is a four-letter word, for God's sake."

"Salt is a four-letter word," said the man with the salt and pepper hair. "I'm Stanley, by the way."

I nodded and smiled. "Thanks for the advice. We should get going. Jessie is giving me a tour of the facility and we left Marley in the lobby with his adoring fans."

"When he's done, will you bring him in here?" Sylvia asked. "We're part of the 'Marley Fan Club' too, you know."

"Sure thing," Jessie said. "Hey, I heard about Clarence, what happened?"

Stanley looked serious. "He was complaining he didn't feel right and then boom! He just keeled over."

"It was probably indigestion," Harry said, trying to sound convincing. "The food here is awful, but it hasn't killed anyone. Not yet, anyway."

"I hope he's okay," I said.

"Me, too," Jessie said. "Now we're off to finish our tour." She gave her uncle a peck on the cheek. "Glad you're feeling better, Uncle Teddy, you look good."

He shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a good-looking guy."