The activities room of the Holly Glen Home for Active Living buzzed with the disappointment of a few dozen senior citizens and their guests. Amber stared in mock dismay at her nearly full card. “No way, Rose! I only needed two more!” Rose cackled and accepted her prize, a super-soft plush rabbit, from the teenager who carried it over. Her gnarled hands shook as she turned the bunny to face her, and a deep sigh ended the cackle. “This is just like the one Caitlyn sleeps with every night.” Amber doubted Rose’s granddaughter still slept with stuffed animals. The girl was nineteen, a freshman in college. But her family had moved to Colorado years ago and rarely came home to visit. It broke Rose’s heart that her only grandchild had chosen a college even farther away, in Oregon. The runner bent and kissed Rose on the cheek. “I brought that one ’specially for you, Ms. Rose. Congratulations on winning.” Rose smiled and patted her hand.
