The outside of the building was unassuming. Rectangular brick, squat and solid. Not unlike a child’s first Lego house, an Easy-Bake oven, or a raspberry Pop Tart. The inside, magical. Home to three snap turtles, a small poodle, an identifiable number of cats – tabbies, mostly, and more than 100 fish. The fish – and the turtles – residents of an oversized tank just beyond the lobby atrium. The poodles and cat, residents like any other. The place was home to Thursday-night bingo, Sunday-night chili, and Monday-night films, too. All free of charge and charged with positive energy. The electrical system was dated, the heat always on, and the ventilation always poor. No matter. It was where I felt most at home. I was what you’d call a regular. Nothing special about me. Not the others, either. Y
